South African authorities identified “extreme poverty and a severe lack of affordable housing” as key factors in the deadly Usindiso building fire in Johannesburg in August 2023, which killed 77 people. A commission of inquiry found widespread fire-safety concerns in inner-city buildings and recommended urgent action to address long-standing housing issues, emphasizing the need for political will and resources to improve living conditions for the urban poor.
Want More Context? 🔎
Ebola in DR Congo: New outbreak kills 15
At least 15 people have died in a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, confirmed by health officials in the central Kasai province, where 28 suspected cases are recorded. The World Health Organization is working to control the spread, with a stockpile of treatments including 2,000 doses of the effective Ervebo vaccine available. Want More Context? 🔎
Read more