The launch of a vaccination campaign against polio in the province of Tshopo, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, raises significant issues in the fight against this persistent viral disease. Faced with a context of logistics challenges, various beliefs and community reluctance, this initiative aims to protect a wide range of children, in order to prevent serious consequences linked to this pathology. With the commitment of local authorities and the support of the World Health Organization, this campaign is intended to be inclusive and is based on a community approach. However, the question of acceptance of vaccination remains crucial, requiring adapted communication and rigorous monitoring to guarantee the health of future generations. This project illustrates the collective efforts necessary to overcome obstacles in public health and build an immune future against polio.
Category: Ecology
The Congo River, a true artery of Central Africa, offers a fascinating perspective on the economic, cultural and environmental interactions of the region. As a second longest river on the continent, it is not only used as a transport route, but also as a symbol of complex historical inheritances, in particular those linked to colonization, which continue to influence local dynamics. While the riparian communities derive their subsistence from its resources, they must also navigate a changing landscape marked by ecological issues and governance challenges. This context calls for thinking about ways of which the river can be a catalyst for sustainable development, while respecting the various cultural identities and aspirations of the populations it crosses. In this perspective, an open dialogue on the fair management of this precious resource appears to be a necessity to build an inclusive and harmonious future.
The French coastlines, whose beauty attracts millions of visitors each year, are faced with growing environmental issues, including climate change. This phenomenon has consequences such as the erosion of the beaches, a reality which in the foreground places the challenges raised by the rise in sea level and the intensification of storms in the foreground. While almost half of the French population lies near the coasts, the future of these spaces raises questions on development practices and the resilience of local communities. Through a collective reflection on these complex issues, we are invited to explore balanced solutions that aim to harmonize economic development and environmental protection.
The Per-2025 project, launched by the governor of Kasai, Me Crispin Mukendi, is part of an approach aimed at revitalizing the road infrastructure of the province, a crucial issue for opening up and improving the living conditions of the inhabitants. With financing of nearly $ 500,000 from the National Road Maintenance Fund (FONER), this project focuses in particular on the construction of gutters and the backfilling of the Ravin Kamuanga Mpongo, an area recognized for its safety and accessibility problems. However, questions persist in the sustainability of these installations, the collection of toll taxes introduced for their funding, and the need for a constant commitment to the authorities to ensure their success. An inclusive approach, promoting dialogue between government and citizens, could also strengthen the acceptance and efficiency of this initiative, while paving the way for more sustainable management of infrastructure in the future.
In Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the question of sanitation arises with a particular intensity in the context of rapid growth and accelerated urbanization. Faced with challenges such as waste management and the failure of health infrastructure, the initiative “Sanit Kinshasa” emerges as a project aimed at mobilizing the actors concerned around sustainable solutions. Prepared for a conference scheduled for September 2025, this project aspires to establish a dialogue between the public and private sectors, while integrating local communities. However, financial and cultural issues, as well as the commitment of populations, raise questions about the efficiency and sustainability of the solutions envisaged. This situation calls for a collective reflection on suitable means to improve sanitation in one of the largest cities in Africa, while taking into account local needs and realities.
The mining industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a subject with multiple facets, combining questions of sustainability, governance and human rights. In this context, Glencore, through its subsidiaries Kamoto Copper Company and Mutanda Mining, recently obtained the label “The Copper Mark”, which assesses mining practices according to environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. This development raises questions about the reality of efforts to responsible production in an often criticized sector. While this success could augur a positive development, challenges remain, in particular in terms of regulations and respect for workers’ rights, particularly those of craft operations. The current dynamics seem to point towards a desire for transformation, but the road to a truly ethical and durable industry remains complex and strewn with pitfalls.
The recent flight of electrical cables in Nzilo, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, arouses reflections on safety and energy supply issues in an already vulnerable region. With more than 40 meters of aluminum cables stolen from a high voltage line, the incident has notable impact on the production and distribution of electricity, directly affecting the inhabitants of Kolwezi. This context highlights the distrust of the protection of essential infrastructure and raises questions on the management of long -term electrical resources. Beyond the simple material loss, this situation calls for an examination of collective responsibilities and strategies to be deployed to prevent such acts, thus integrating the population into the preservation of its energy heritage. In this context, the response of the National Electricity Society (SNEL) and the mobilization to restore service testify to an awareness of the issues, while opening the way to a wider reflection on electrical security within the country.
The experience of luxury cruises raises challenges of sustainability and respect for local cultures.
Navigating the MSC Musica, between the sunny shores of Durban and the Portuguese Island of Mozambique, is a fascinating experience of luxury and relaxation at sea. However, this experience raises essential questions concerning the impact of cruise tourism on the destinations visited and their environment. If the cruise attracts a wide range of passengers in search of leisure and cultural discovery, it also highlights the dilemma between immediate pleasure and social responsibility. The challenges relating to the sustainability of tourism, respect for local cultures and the management of resources are crucial aspects to consider for industry players. Through this reflection, it appears that escape at sea can also be the occasion for an enriching dialogue on tourist practices and their consequences on communities.
On April 9, 2025, the city of Kisangani saw the launch of a polio vaccination campaign, an initiative set up by the governor of the province of Tshopo, Paulin Lendongolia. This event is part of a context where the disease, although avoidable thanks to vaccination, remains a threat to children’s health. The recent confirmation of a case in the territory of Ubundu raises questions on acceptance and access to vaccination in the region. This campaign aims to receive around 2.3 million children, extending the target age group up to 14 years, while aiming to overcome the reluctance of certain communities in the face of vaccination. In collaboration with international organizations, the authorities highlight the need for constructive dialogue and suitable awareness, while reflecting on lasting strategies to maintain an acceptable vaccination level over time. This initiative thus represents a starting point for collective mobilization around public health issues in the province.
In Kindu, the polio vaccination campaign begins with the promise to immunize thousands of children, but a paradox emerges: only six of the 18 areas in the province are concerned. Between the enthusiasm of the local authorities and the logistical realities of the field, the road to the eradication of polio is strewn with pitfalls. This initiative, much more than a simple administrative act, crystallizes the hope and challenges of a health system in search of renewal. Parents’ skepticisms and the fragility of international support highlight a fight that goes beyond the simple gesture: that of restoring confidence and access to care. In Kindu, each injection becomes a heroic act at the heart of a still unfinished struggle.