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Countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan Sources: International Organization for Migration, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached Infographic.

Country: Angola Source: World Health Organization The national polio vaccination campaign was officially launched today in the municipality of Belas, an initiative aimed at protecting more than 9 Millon children under the age of 5 across the country. The campaign runs from March 26 to 28, 2026, and mobilizes vaccination teams across the country with the goal of interrupting the transmission of polio in Angola. Polio is a highly infectious disease that can cause permanent paralysis, primarily affecting children under 5 years of age. Despite the progress made, the virus continues to circulate in some areas of the country and in neighboring countries, such as Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, increasing the risk of new cases. During the launch, health authorities reinforced the need for collective action. “The current situation demands a rapid, coordinated and effective response from all of us,” said the Secretary of State for Public Health, Dr Carlos Alberto Pinto de Sousa. The World Health Organization (WHO) also commended Angola’s continued efforts to control polio. “Angola has already demonstrated its capacity and determination to control polio. With sustained commitment, the country can interrupt transmission and protect every child,” said Dr Indrajit Hazarika, WHO Representative in Angola. The campaign involves national and local authorities, health professionals, development partners, and communities in a coordinated effort to reach all eligible children. Over the course of 3 days, vaccination teams will be present in communities, conducting door-to-door visits and operating at fixed sites to ensure that all children under the age of 5 receive the two drops of the oral polio vaccine. WHO, in collaboration with UNICEF and all partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), continues to support the Government of Angola in strengthening epidemiological surveillance, expanding access to vaccination, and mobilizing communities. Eliminating polio is a goal within Angola’s reach, but it depends on a collective commitment. Protecting every child means protecting the country’s future. For Additional Information or to Request Interviews, Please contact: Rosa Pedro Communication Assistant WHO Angolarpedro@who.int

Country: Eswatini Source: World Health Organization Mbabane— In a major move to increase access to care for severe noncommunicable diseases such as type 1 diabetes, sickle‑cell disease, and rheumatic and congenital heart diseases, Eswatini is preparing to implement the World Health Organization (WHO)’s PEN‑Plus model. The PEN‑Plus model decentralizes the management and treatment for severe noncommunicable diseases, expanding access to care and improving health and well‑being in the African Region. Currently, more than 18 000 people are receiving treatment for severe noncommunicable diseases across 20 implementing countries. In Eswatini, severe noncommunicable diseases disproportionately affect children and young adults and often require advanced diagnostics, specialized treatment, and long‑term care, services typically available only at regional or specialized facilities. The country is also witnessing a growing burden of noncommunicable diseases, The 2024 STEPS survey, —an internationally standardized tool for determining the burden of NCDs risk factors—showed low control rates for hypertension and diabetes. While almost 41% of people with diabetes were on treatment, nearly half (48%) were not adequately controlled. Further assessments show that although many health centres have basic infrastructure, including laboratories, x‑ray units, and pharmacy services, gaps remain in essential laboratory equipment, reagents, medicines, medical supplies, and ultrasound machines. The first international conference on PEN‑Plus in Africa, organized by the WHO African Region in partnership with the NCDI Poverty Network and with support from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, held in Tanzania in 2024, showcased Malawi’s successes with PEN‑Plus, generating significant interest among Eswatini’s health authorities. As one of the earliest adopters, Malawi has made substantial progress in implementing the model in 46% of district hospitals, providing specialized care to more than 300 patients living with severe noncommunicable diseases across six secondary-level health facilities. Inspired by the Malawian example, the Government of Eswatini aims to decentralize severe noncommunicable disease services to ensure that patients can receive comprehensive, timely care close to their homes. Under the PEN‑Plus model, general practitioners at first‑level health centres will be trained and equipped to manage severe noncommunicable diseases. PEN‑Plus extends the WHO Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions (PEN) by delivering specialized services at first‑level referral facilities such as district hospitals. To operationalize PEN‑Plus implementation in Eswatini, the Ministry of Health has selected two pilot health centres—Mkhuzweni in the North and Sithobela in the South. These rural sites are far from specialist hospitals and were chosen to improve continuity of care for people in hard‑to‑reach areas. PEN‑Plus is expected to close critical gaps in early diagnosis, continuity of care, and timely management of complications. Rollout is scheduled to start in June 2026. “Too many patients are traveling long distances for simple check‑ups or medication refills. This overwhelms specialist hospitals and delays care for those who truly need it. With PEN‑Plus, we will bring treatment closer to communities so people can get the care they need in a timely way—without unnecessary referrals, risk of medical complications or premature deaths,” said Ntombi Ginindza, Noncommunicable Diseases Programme Manager at the Ministry of Health in Eswatini. Preliminary findings from the needs assessment report highlights country readiness such as human resource, substantial chronic disease caseloads, existence of referral pathways and a national electronic data system upon which PEN‑Plus will strategically build on and further strengthen. “PEN‑Plus will mark a transformative shift in how severe NCDs are managed. The implementation of this framework will strengthen the country’s health system and save lives,” said Dr Susan Tembo, WHO Representative in Eswatini. For Additional Information or to Request Interviews, Please contact: TABI Marriane Enow Technical Officer (Communications) WHO Regional Office for Africa Email: mtabi@who.int AMIMO, Shirley External Relations and Partnerships Officer WHOEswatini Country Office Tel: +268 76195916 Email: amimos@who.int

Country: Mauritius Source: World Health Organization **Port Louis—**Mauritius is set to reshape its health workforce through a comprehensive Health Labour Market Analysis, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO). This initiative marks a decisive step toward strengthening Mauritius’ health system and advancing progress toward universal health coverage. “The Health Labour Market Analysis comes at the right time for Mauritius. We must address workforce shortages, improve distribution and ensure the number of health workers are adequate for our population’s health needs,” says Dr Poonam Gungadin, Director of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW). “This process will give us the evidence we need to design effective and sustainable workforce policies.” Mauritius has long demonstrated strong investment in its health workforce, maintaining one of the highest doctor and nurse densities in the African Region, with 31.7 doctors and 35.7 nurses and midwives per 10 000 population. Yet, the health system faces mounting challenges: persistent shortages across several cadres, emerging skills gaps, high workloads, burnout, and uneven distribution of health professionals. Despite employing approximately 13 000 officers across 375 grades, shortages remain acute due to retirement, migration, limited training capacity, and lengthy recruitment procedures. To meet rising service demands, the MOHW expanded specialized services and increased the number of primary care clinics from 147 to 268 between 2022 and 2024—an 82% increase. While this expansion strengthens access to care, it also intensifies staffing pressures. Both public and private health institutions face difficulties filling vacancies due to a limited pool of qualified candidates, compounded by emigration and complex recruitment and licensing processes. The HLMA process is taking place from 16 to 27 March 2026 with participation from across government with 40 representatives from the different ministries, regulatory councils, statistical bodies, training institutions, health professional associations and the private sector. This broad engagement ensures that the analysis is grounded in high quality data, shared ownership, and consensus driven policy recommendations that reflect the realities of both public and private service delivery. “WHO is proud to support Mauritius in this comprehensive HLMA process,” says Dr Gilbert Buckle, Health Policy Advisor at WHO Mauritius. “A resilient health system depends on a well-planned, well-supported health workforce. Mauritius’ Health Labour Market Analysis is a vital investment in understanding workforce realities and shaping the reforms needed to deliver health for all.” This major national undertaking reaffirms Mauritius’ commitment to developing a resilient, motivated and equitably distributed health workforce capable of delivering high quality, accessible health services to every person in the country. Mauritius joins more than 20 countries across the African region actively implementing the principles of the Africa Health Workforce Investment Charter, which aims to halve inequities in access to health workers by 2030. “By undertaking the Health Labour Market Analysis, Mauritius is taking a decisive step toward smarter, evidence‑driven workforce investments that strengthen resilience, improve equity and accelerate progress toward health for all,” says Dr Sunny Okoroafor, Health Workforce Management, Performance and Retention Advisor at WHO ‘s Regional Office for Africa and facilitator for the process. For Additional Information or to Request Interviews, Please contact: PITCHAMOOTOO Vinoda NPO (NCDs/HP) Email: vythelingamv@who.int

Country: Ethiopia Source: Inter-Agency Ethiopia PSEA Network Please refer to the attached file. In 2025, the Ethiopia Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Network and Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group at national level formed a small working group to analyse existing data on women’s access to feedback mechanisms and participation of women-led organisations in humanitarian decision-making platforms. Data from the Accountability to Affected People Working Group (AAP WG) Community Voices Dashboard (from December 2024-June 2025) was analysed and a survey distributed to all members of the Network of Ethiopian Women’s Association (NEWA) to gauge their involvement in various humanitarian coordination structures. A survey on PSEA was conducted via UNICEF’s UReport platform in September 2025 with over 1,500 respondents. In addition, feedback data from WFP was also reviewed.

Country: Ethiopia Source: Inter-Agency Ethiopia PSEA Network Please refer to the attached file. Protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (‘PSEA’) is a core commitment by humanitarian and development partners. This snapshot of PSEA activities is based on the Interagency Standing Committee (IASC) global indicators on PSEA, which are aimed to track the progress of PSEA interventions in different contexts. This is the second year that the mapping has been in place and reflects activities implemented by PSEA Network members between January-December 2025. Key differences between 2024 and 2025 are: 1) There was a 20% increase in the number of partners giving inputs to the mapping; more staff were trained in Gambela region but fewer in Afar region compared with 2024; awareness raising decreased significantly in Somali region while increased in Amhara and Tigray; the number of people reached by reporting channel decreased significantly in 2025; and there were far fewer SEA complaints received in 2025.

Country: World Source: European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Bosnia and Herzegovina: warning level 2/3 for entire territory except the south Croatia: warning level 2/3 for Karlovac, Gospic, Rijeka regions. Greece: Warning level 2/3 for Kriti region. United Kingdom: Warning level 2/3 for 3 locations in England.

Country: Syrian Arab Republic Source: European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations In recent days, Hasakah province, located in northeastern Syria, experienced a second wave of heavy rain and flooding, resulting in damage and the displacement of people. According to media reports, 120 families have been evacuated and relocated to safer areas, and approximately 700 houses were flooded. National authorities and humanitarian partners are coordinating the delivery of assistance. For the next 48 hours, moderate to locally heavy rain is expected across northern, central, and north‑eastern Syria. DG ECHO Partners are assessing the damage and are responding to needs.

Countries: Croatia, Slovenia Source: European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations On 26 March: red alert for snow and ice over Croatia; for strong wind over Croatia and Slovenia. On 27 March: red alert for strong wind over Slovenia.

Country: Mozambique Sources: CCCM Cluster, International Organization for Migration Please refer to the attached file. Gaza Province continues to face a worsening humanitarian situation driven by persistent heavy rains, flooding, and rising water levels along the Limpopo River. These conditions have resulted in cycles of pendular movements, destruction of shelters and infrastructure, restricted access to affected areas, and increased health risks, including malaria and diarrheal diseases. Following the initial wave of displacements in January and February, all previously established temporary accommodation centres were oficially closed as families returned to their areas of origin; however, renewed flooding has triggered a new wave of displacement, with two temporary accommodation centres currently active in Gaza Province: Escola Artes eOfícios (Matendene) in Xai-Xai District, hosting 1,285 households (2,466 individuals), and CAIP in Manjacaze District, hosting 240 households (415 individuals). Both sites, categorized as schools and open spaces, remain open and are operating at full capacity under IOM management as of 23 March. Despite access constraints, IOM CCCM teams remain operational across affected districts, ensuring coordination, management support, and service monitoring in close collaboration with Government (INGD), district authorities, and humanitarian partners. The response prioritizes camp coordination and camp management through support to temporary accommodation centres, establishment of community committees (including management, women, and maintenance groups), and continuous monitoring of outflows and flood-affected areas of origin. Overcrowding in area-based evacuation centres continues to place significant strain on essential services, particularly WASH, health, and protection. High-caseload temporary accommodation center remain a priority for strengthened accommodation center management, enhanced inter-sectoral coordination, and decongestion efforts. To date, over 1,800 individuals have been reached through awareness-raising activities to support informed and safe community responses. In parallel, efforts are ongoing, in close coordination with authorities and partners, on shelter reconstruction, land allocation, and the restoration of access to basic services, in order to facilitate durable solution pathways and promote principled returns and relocations.