Top Stories from DAWNS Digest
Nigeria Counter-Insurgency About to Get Really Real
The efficacy–or not–of Nigeria’s military campaign against Boko Haram will be profoundly consequential for security of the entire region. “Nigeria’s military said Thursday that it was ready to launch air strikes against Boko Haram Islamists as several thousand troops moved to the remote northeast to retake territory seized by the insurgents. ‘The entire Nigerian military is involved in this operation, including the air force,’ defence spokesman Brigadier General Chris Olukolade told AFP. ‘Definitely, air strikes will be used when necessary,’ he said. A force of ‘several thousand’ soldiers along with fighter jets and helicopter gunships have been deployed for the offensive in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa state, he added.” (AFP http://bit.ly/110vkLUv)
Now the Good News: Tetanus on the Decline Worldwide
Tetanus has been eliminated in half of the 59 target countries, says the Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination Initiative. “Since 1999, more than 118 million women of child-bearing age have been vaccinated against tetanus in 52 countries. Many of these women received their tetanus vaccine as part of an integrated campaign which included other life- saving interventions for children – such as immunization against measles, Vitamin A supplements, deworming tablets and information on umbilical cord care. (UNICEF http://bit.ly/13yWLld)