Category: Ecology

### Epidemia of malaria in DRC: a cry of alarm for public health

The Democratic Republic of Congo is faced with an epidemic of alarming malaria, with more than 1,000 cases and at least 60 deaths in the province of Ecuador. This crisis highlights the vulnerability of an already fragile health system, exacerbated by insufficient infrastructure and limited access to care. In addition to endemic malaria, other infections such as flu and typhoid complicate the situation, calling for an in -depth investigation into environmental factors and growing resistance to treatments.

The response to this threat cannot be limited to health authorities; It requires the commitment of communities, NGOs and research to promote education and prevention. While promising advances in the development of vaccines and the use of telemedicine offer a glimmer of hope, the urgent mobilization of all the actors is crucial to prevent this crisis from turning into a humanitarian disaster. Faced with this challenge, the time is for collective action to protect the health of the Congolese and guarantee a safer future.

** The mystical shadows of Côte d’Ivoire: between tradition and conservation **

Discreet markets in Côte d’Ivoire continue to sell products derived from large felines, as much symbol of cultural wealth as ecological threats. A recent survey by the NGO Panthera revealed that 50 % of the markets visited offer these products, despite the legal risks incurred. Behind this phenomenon hide ancestral beliefs and urgent economic needs which complicate the fight against poaching.

Lions and leopards are perceived as powerful mystical symbols, and their sample is often considered a ritualized act. However, this practice threatens already vulnerable species and compromises local ecosystems. In parallel, conservation could benefit from an approach that respects these traditions while changing mentalities. Successful initiatives elsewhere on the continent show that education and awareness -raising, integrated into local beliefs, can start a lasting change.

Finally, this struggle should not be a confrontation between cultures and conservation. She calls for a sincere collaboration between local actors and conservatives to build a prosperous future for wildlife and the Ivorian communities.

### A new era for European agriculture: between flexibility and sustainability

In a context where the sustainability of the agrifood systems has become essential, Christophe Hansen, the European Commissioner of Luxembourgers to agriculture and food, draws a daring vision for the future of the sector. While the European Union softens certain constraints to encourage a greening of agriculture, it is less a relinking of standards than an opportunity to reinvent the role of farmers as pioneers of a future responsible.

If modern agriculture has to face challenges such as climate change and soil degradation, it can also be reinvented through innovation and a systemic approach. The ambitious objective of reaching 25 % of organic farming areas by 2030, supported by an investment of 15 billion euros, is accompanied by structures to be strengthened, in particular through short circuits. In parallel, the need to reduce administrative charges must also be accompanied by regulation which guarantees sustainable agriculture.

The future of European agriculture is thus emerging at the crossroads, with the ultimate aim of an equitable and sustainable agro-food system, by supporting collaboration, innovation and education. This challenge will be decisive to redefine the rural landscape and create an ecosystem where farmers and consumers thrive together, for future generations.

### The DRC: a project that changes the situation for childhood and cobalt

The Democratic Republic of Congo, rich in cobalt but marked by the exploitation of children in its mining sector, welcomes a transformative initiative: the alternative support project of children and young people involved in the cobalt supply chain (Pabea-Cobalt). Supported by the African Development Bank group, this project aims to offer concrete alternatives to vulnerable young people, while integrating a solid monitoring-evaluation system. By recruiting a national consultant to direct this approach, the Pabea-Cobalt emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach which goes beyond the simple quantitative indicators and which takes into account the voice of the interested parties. At a time when nearly 40,000 children still work in craft mines, this project represents not only an opportunity for a better future, but also an ethical obligation to restore the fundamental rights of these young people. By integrating experts and inspired by international models, the DRC has the opportunity to reverse the course of its mining history.

** Farmers to the test of time: change or renewal? **

On the occasion of the 61st edition of the International Agricultural Fair in Paris, French farmers are at a crucial turning point. Although the climate seems more lenient than in 2024, the challenges are far from resolved. Between the overwhelming bureaucracy linked to the common agricultural policy and the alarming consequences of climate change, the distress of the operators is palpable. With a profitability falling and the growing concern about the future, the question arises: how to find a balance between sustainability and economic viability?

The answer could reside in technological innovation, such as precision agriculture, and support for agroecological practices beneficial for the environment. However, the key lies in the collective mobilization between consumers, politicians and economic actors. By redefining our relationship to agriculture, we have the opportunity to build a fairer and lasting model, making the voice of farmers a change of change rather than a simple echo in a living room. It is up to us to choose the type of agriculture that we want for tomorrow.

### Mbandaka: a youth mobilized for the environment

On February 21, 2025, the EDAP/ISP school in Mbandaka vibrated to the rhythm of an environmental awareness workshop, orchestrated by Greenpeace Africa. In this haven of threatened biodiversity, young students were awakened to the importance of preserving their forests, known as the “lungs of the planet”. During this striking event, the stakeholder Esther Bakanda underlined the interconnection between deforestation and climate change, encouraging future generations to become actors of change. Statistics reveal that young people who have received an environmental education are 60% more inclined to participate in ecological initiatives, thus strengthening the need for such actions. By integrating local cultural practices, such as agroforestry, these workshops aim to prepare students for a sustainable future, transforming Mbandaka into a wrestling epicenter for the protection of their environment. A real awareness is born, promising a positive change for the planet.

### Earthquakes in Egypt: a mythology of terror

The recent minor earthquake near Helwan, measured at 1.8 on the Richter scale, caused disproportionate concern among the Egyptians. Although the professor of seismology Amr al-Sharkawy assures that there is nothing to worry about, this event questions the collective perception of earthquakes in a country that is not used to such incidents. Egypt, rich in its historical heritage and its emblematic monuments, lets natural calamities are part of a complex cultural interpretation, where each slight shock evokes memories of past disasters. This underlines the importance of proactive seismic education and initiatives to appease anxieties, while suggesting that Egypt could benefit from technological cooperation with neighboring countries. This modest tremor thus becomes an opportunity for reflection on our relationship to nature, knowledge and resilience in the face of the unexpected.

### The violence of ADFs: a scourge for agriculture and the return of populations in Ituri

The Walese Vonkutu chiefdom, in Ituri, saw a real ordeal. Since the beginning of the year, the attacks of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have cost the lives of at least 70 people, particularly affecting farmers who courageously tried to find their native land. Weakened by home fires and looting, these farmers come up against an imminent food crisis, aggravated by infantile malnutrition.

Carrefour of agriculture, Irumu is now plagued by chronic insecurity which not only threatens the means of subsistence of families, but also local stability. The experience of other nations ravaged by war, such as the Central African Republic, underlines the dangers of a return to violence while displaced populations suck up to rebuild their lives.

Faced with this tragedy, a holistic approach is essential. Security is an imperative, but it must be accompanied by agricultural support, education and humanitarian assistance programs. The commitment of the international community is crucial to break this infernal cycle of violence and poverty and restore the hope of the farmers of Irumu. Each lost life, each decimated family, testifies to the urgent need for concerted intervention in favor of peace and sustainability.

### The awakening of African agriculture: a new horizon to explore

African agriculture is a decisive turning point, marked by an increasing awareness of local producers of their potential on the world scene. The event organized in Paris by the Association Help au Paysans and producers in Africa highlighted this Renaissance, by forming a gateway to higher quality standards. The Democratic Republic of Congo, integrating the Council of Palm Oil Producers, proves its commitment to sustainable agriculture despite the challenges.

Initiatives like that put forward by transform encourage entrepreneurship, thus stimulating startups that meet local needs. However, the reality of producers, especially in Kibumba and Kalemie, highlights the persistent obstacles linked to marketing and the rise in prices, underestimating local potential. With security issues in Ituri threatening the exchange of products, it is essential to strengthen infrastructure and networks.

If the art of producing becomes a priority, the future also lies in the valuation and distribution of crops. Africa, by bringing together all these forces, can truly transform its agriculture into a sustainable development engine. The challenges are significant, but the opportunities are very real.

** Vaccination in Djugu: women who are struggling for the health of their children in the face of insecurity **

In the territory of Djugu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, vaccination is emerging as a real act of bravery in the middle of ambient insecurity. Hundreds of displaced women, often mothers, brave perilous conditions to maintain the vaccination calendar of their children. Under the aegis of Dr. Mulumba, awareness campaigns are starting to bear fruit, but the reality is quite different: less than 40% of children in the region benefit from routine vaccines due to armed conflicts and lack of access to care. These poignant stories, like that of Mama Amina, reveal both tenacious hope and an alarming challenge. Faced with a situation that compromises their security and that of their families, these women require enhanced coordination between authorities and NGOs to guarantee their fundamental right to health. In this fight for survival, vaccination becomes a symbol of resilience and hope for a better future.