By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
PAHO Calls for Renewed Commitment to Malaria Elimination in the Americas
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is urging governments across the Americas to ensure that at-risk populations, particularly those in remote and indigenous communities, have access to timely malaria diagnosis and treatment.
PAHO highlighted progress in the region, noting that Suriname became the first country in the Amazon Basin to be certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization this year, joining Paraguay, Argentina, El Salvador, and Belize, which achieved elimination status since 2018.
Despite progress, 15 countries and one territory in the region continue to report malaria transmission — with most infections occurring in the Amazon Basin, where indigenous peoples account for over one-third of all reported cases and nearly 30% of related deaths.
In 2024, the Americas recorded 337,000 malaria cases, a 6% increase from the previous year.
UN Launches $74M Aid Fund for Cuba Following Hurricane Melissa
The United Nations has launched a US$74 million humanitarian fund to assist Cuba in recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which struck as a Category 5 storm.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), about 2.2 million Cubans across the eastern provinces — including Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, and Guantánamo — remain in dire need of assistance.
The UN stated that $4 million in emergency funding had been released before the storm, with an additional $7 million made available by UN agencies. However, a $64 million funding gap remains to address critical needs.
The storm also affected parts of Haiti, displacing 16,000 people, leaving 43 dead, dozens injured, and 13 missing.
U.S. Airlines Forced to Cut Flights Amid Historic Government Shutdown
In international news, major U.S. airlines are scrambling to reduce 4% of flights across 40 major airports after the federal government imposed emergency travel restrictions due to a record-setting government shutdown that has disrupted air traffic control operations.
The cuts, which began at 6 a.m. Friday’s event affected approximately 700 flights from the nation’s top four carriers — American, Delta, United, and Southwest Airlines — and could increase to 10% by November 14 if the shutdown continues.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said the initial reductions are manageable but warned that prolonged disruptions would pose serious challenges to operations and passengers nationwide.
