BC Global organization

05/20/2026

WHO: declared the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) as of May 2026.

Current WHO risk assessment
High risk regionally: Risk of spread is high at national and regional levels for DRC and Uganda.
Low risk globally: WHO says global risk is low.
Neighboring countries: Countries sharing land borders with DRC are at high risk for further spread. That includes Rwanda, South Sudan, and others. Kigali is Rwanda’s capital. 7b78b3d6

What’s happening on the ground
Strain: This outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus. Unlike the Zaire strain, there are no approved vaccines or therapeutics for Bundibugyo.
Scale: As of mid-May 2026: 51 confirmed cases in DRC’s Ituri and North Kivu provinces, 2 confirmed in Uganda. Plus 139 suspected deaths and almost 600 suspected cases. Other reports cite 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths in Ituri.
Spread: Confirmed cases in Ituri, North Kivu, Butembo, Goma, and 2 imported cases in Kampala, Uganda. WHO warned the outbreak is likely larger than detected.
Why it’s concerning: It spread undetected for weeks because tests for the more common Ebola virus came back negative.

Kigali / Rwanda
WHO hasn’t reported confirmed cases in Kigali yet, but Rwanda borders eastern DRC and is considered at high risk due to cross-border movement. WHO guidance includes activating cross-border screening and exit screening at airports and land crossings. East African countries including Rwanda are intensifying collaboration and preparedness.

WHO recommendations
For DRC/Uganda: Activate emergency ops, strengthen surveillance/contact tracing, set up isolation units, clinical trials for candidate vaccines/therapeutics.
For neighbors: Enhanced community surveillance, diagnostic lab access, rapid response teams.
Travel: WHO explicitly advised against border closures or trade restrictions. b9f3

If you’re in the region or planning travel: monitor WHO and CDC updates, avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick people, and follow local health guidance. The CDC says overall risk to the American public remains low.

Want details on symptoms, prevention steps, or how this affects aid work in settlements like Imvepi?

05/16/2026

Thanks for Imvepi Refugee Settlement. ( South Sudan and Uganda)

Football is a big part of daily life for many asylum seekers there — it brings people together, helps relieve stress, and builds community even in tough circumstances. UNHCR and partners often support sports activities inside reception centers and dormitory areas because recreation is important for mental health and youth engagement.

Imvepi, in Terego District, Uganda, hosts tens of thousands of refugees, mostly from South Sudan. Spaces for football and other games are usually set up in common areas between shelters.

Were you wanting to highlight something specific about the picture — like organizing more sports equipment, sharing the story with your Rotary Club, or finding ways to support recreation programs in Imvepi?

05/07/2026

04/14/2026

Secretary-General's Press Encounter - on the Middle East

Press events | António Guterres, Secretary-General
Ladies and gentlemen of the media,

Thank you very much for your presence.

Justice is meant to be blind.

But today, too many are choosing to turn a blind eye to justice itself.

Around the world – and starkly in the Middle East – respect for international law is being trampled.

Rules governing the use of force and the conduct of hostilities are ignored.

Civilians are exposed to intolerable harm.

Humanitarian obligations are disregarded.

Even the protections afforded to the United Nations and our personnel are violated.

This wholesale assault on international law has consequences.

Lawlessness breeds chaos.

Lawlessness fuels suffering.

Lawlessness leads to destruction.

This is not the moment to retreat from international law.

It is the moment to reaffirm it.

That is why later this week, I will travel to The Hague to mark the eightieth anniversary of the International Court of Justice.

The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and a pillar of the international legal order.

For eight decades, the Court has fulfilled that role with distinction.

But this visit is not simply about commemorating an anniversary.

It is about sending an unmistakable message.

A message that the United Nations stands firmly behind the institutions and principles designed to protect peace, justice, sovereignty and human dignity.

A message that international law applies to all States, without exception, and that respect for its rules is not optional.

A message that in a world moving toward greater fragmentation and sharper power competition, international law is indispensable.

Without it, instability spreads, mistrust deepens, and conflicts spiral out of control.

This applies everywhere – and it applies urgently to the conflict in the Middle East.

There is no military solution to this crisis. Peace agreements require persistent engagement and political will.

Serious negotiations must resume.

The ceasefire must be preserved – and extended as necessary.

And international navigational rights and freedoms – including in the Strait of Hormuz – must be respected by all parties.

It is time for restraint and responsibility.

It is time for diplomacy over escalation.

It is time for a renewed commitment to international law.

Thank you.

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04/14/2026

Ladies and gentlemen of the media,Thank you very much for your presence.Justice is meant to be blind. But today, too many are choosing to turn a blind eye to justice itself.Around the world – and starkly in the Middle East – respect for international law is being trampled.Rules governing the use...

04/06/2026

In South Sudan, many people rely on livestock like goats for their livelihoods. Goats provide milk, meat, and income, making them a valuable asset for families. However, poverty and conflict have impacted access to these resources. Some initiatives aim to support vulnerable communities by providing livestock, like goats, to help them sustain themselves. Would you like more info on how communities are working to support livelihoods in South Sudan?

04/05/2026

Memory changes are common with aging, but research shows the brain remains responsive to daily habits well into later life. Regular physical activity is one of the strongest supports for memory. Movement increases blood flow to the brain and stimulates the release of proteins involved in learning and neural repair. Combining aerobic activity like walking or swimming with strength based movement helps preserve brain tissue linked to memory and attention. Consistency matters more than intensity, as repeated activity reinforces these effects over time.

Diet also plays a central role in brain health after sixty. Fish rich in omega three fatty acids provide building blocks for brain cell membranes and support communication between neurons. Regular intake has been linked with greater volume in brain regions involved in learning and recall. These nutrients also help reduce inflammation that can interfere with cognitive function as the brain ages.

Social engagement provides another powerful form of mental stimulation. Conversation, shared activities, and emotional connection activate multiple brain networks at once. Positive social interaction supports the release of growth factors that strengthen memory circuits. Together, physical movement, nourishing food, and social connection work through different biological pathways to help the brain remain adaptable and resilient later in life.

01/06/2026

When aid workers 'cannot abandon them,' but are compelled to withdraw from Uganda and South Sudan
BC Global Org.