October 8, 2022

The World Health Organization says Africa has the highest rate of people dying by suicide in the world.   In a statement, the agency said Africa is home to six of the 10 countries with the highest suicide rates globally.   The continent is said to have one psychiatrist for every 500,000 inhabitants – 100 times less than the WHO recommendation.   Around 11 people per 100,000 per year die by suicide in the African region, higher than the global average of nine per 100,000 people, the WHO says.   Mental health problems account for up to 11% of the

Flooding caused by heavy rains in the West African state of Niger has claimed nearly 200 lives and affected more than a quarter of a million people, the Civil Protection Service said, describing the toll as one of the highest on record. Rainy-season floods claimed 192 lives, affected more than 263,000 people, and destroyed more than 30,000 homes, as well as classrooms, medical centers, and grain stores, it said.   The worst-affected regions are Maradi and Zinder in the center of the country, Dosso in the southwest, and Tahoua in the west.   The rainy season in Niger, located in