Latest Stories from Derrick
Climate change is decimating Zimbabwe’s elephant population
In the heart of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, a devastating crisis is unfolding as the nation grapples with the loss of a hundred elephants this year alone. The cause of this tragedy is not poaching, but rather an insidious force exacerbated by climate change – drought. In the African continent, elephants are continuously succumbing to the harsh realities of climate change. According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW),...
Discussing the Africa Horn’s climate refugee crisis with an expert
As COP28 continues, critical discourse surrounding climate change is unfolding. While sweeping decarbonization plans take center stage, immediate relief in the African Horn doesn’t appear to be forthcoming. Can we amplify the discourse of those most affected, we ask an expert on the subject. As Thred has covered across several recent stories, the Horn of Africa, comprising countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Sudan, is grappling with the severe...
Egypt’s soilless farming revolution is underway
In the arid landscapes of Egypt, where the Nile River has long been the lifeline for agriculture, a groundbreaking agricultural revolution is taking root, soilless farming. In recent years, Egypt has been increasingly thwarted by water scarcity. The Nile, which has been the nation’s primary source of water for agriculture, is being put under growing pressure due to factors such as climate change, population growth, and local pollution. Additionally, the...
Zimbabwe declares state of emergency as cholera outbreak worsens
In response to a rapidly escalating cholera outbreak, the government of Zimbabwe has declared a state of emergency, acknowledging the severity of the crisis that has claimed lives and left thousands grappling with the debilitating effects of the waterborne disease. Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial infection spread through contaminated water and food, has overwhelmed Zimbabwe’s healthcare system, posing a significant threat to public health. The outbreak, which was initially reported...
Ferocious floods wreak havoc across East Africa
East Africa has been grappling with a crisis of monumental proportions - devastating floods that have wreaked havoc across the region. From Kenya to Somalia, Tanzania to Ethiopia, the torrents of rain have displaced communities, destroyed agricultural farmlands, and left a trail of human suffering in their wake. East Africa has long been accustomed to seasonal rains, vital for its agrarian economies. However, recent years have seen a dramatic...
Nigeria to host upcoming Global Tech Africa conference
Africa is poised to become a global tech powerhouse and at the heart of this transformative journey is the upcoming Global Tech Africa (GTA) conference in Lagos, Nigeria. This is set to be a milestone event that unites the continent's critical stakeholders for innovation. In a world increasingly driven by technology and innovation, Africa has emerged as a beacon of untapped potential. The Global Tech Africa (GTA) conference, slated for...
Over 70 arrested in Nigeria for organising gay wedding
In a country where conservatism often clashes with diversity, Nigeria’s LBGTQ+ community continues to face immense challenges. This past weekend, 76 young people who organised a same-sex wedding were arrested in the north-east. On Saturday last week, a day meant to be a celebration of love and unity, the lives of 76 young people took a dark turn in Nigeria’s Gombe state. The authorities apprehended them for organizing a same-sex wedding,...
Understanding the lag in Ethiopia’s university entrance rates
Ethiopia is currently facing a significant challenge in its education system - abysmally low university entrance exam pass rates. Only 3% of high school students manage to pass leading to a growing crisis in the country's educational landscape. In the Ethiopian education system, high school students must pass the country’s University Entrance Exam, locally known as the Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Certificate Examination (EHEECE), to gain admission to universities. The...
Climate change has displaced 43.1m children in six years
Just last week, UNICEF published a harrowing report highlighting the impacts of surging global temperatures and increasingly frequent extreme weather events on the victims most vulnerable to these unforgiving conditions between 2016 and 2021. Already vulnerable youth have become unwitting victims of a crisis they did not cause. This is according to UNICEF, which just last week published a harrowing report highlighting that climate change has displaced...
UN gravely concerned over rising child deaths in Sudan
The United Nations has sounded a distressing alarm over the escalating child mortality rates in Sudan, a tragic consequence of the relentless conflict that has gripped the nation for months. This week, during the UN's briefing in Geneva, UNHCR announced a harrowing set of statistics that reveals the devastating toll the war is taking on Sudan's youngest and most vulnerable population, with malnutrition and disease rampant among children. Since April, Sudan...
