IGAD Health & Social Development Division

🌙 Eid Al-Adha Mubarak from #IGAD ✨ As we celebrate this blessed occasion, IGAD extends warm wishes to the people of the region and beyond, as well as to all partners and communities observing Eid al-Adha. May this season inspire peace, solidarity, compassion, and renewed hope for stronger and more united communities across our region. Together, as we celebrate #IGADat40, let us continue advancing cooperation, unity, and shared prosperity for One Region, One Future. #EidAlAdha #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

Stories That Move Our Region The IGAD Media Awards 2026 are here. 🌍 We are calling on journalists, filmmakers, photographers, broadcasters, digital creators, and storytellers across the #IGAD region to submit powerful stories on migration, mobility, displacement, labour migration, and regional integration. Theme: "Human Mobility for Regional Integration: Free Movement, Decent Work, Protection and Shared Prosperity." 📅 Submissions: 25 May to 31 July 2026 📌 Eligible stories: Published, broadcast, or aired from January 2022 onwards. 🔗 Submit: mediaawards.igad.int/2026submission… 🌐 Details: mediaawards.igad.int #IGADMediaAwards2026 #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

@MoH_Somalia is strengthening Ebola preparedness and surveillance following reported cases in Uganda and DRC. The public is urged to remain vigilant, follow official health guidance, and report suspected symptoms through the emergency line 995. #EbolaAwareness

⭐Post-Event Highlights | Mahé, Seychelles 🇸🇨 Dr. Osman Bilal, Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs at the @IGADsecretariat, participated in the consultation meetings and launch of the African Union Commission’s Humanitarian Coordination Platform held in Mahé, Seychelles (18–21 May 2026). Representatives from @_AfricanUnion organs, Regional Economic Communities, and Member States endorsed the Platform’s Terms of Reference and adopted the 2026–2027 Joint Implementation Plan — a significant milestone in strengthening Africa’s humanitarian governance architecture.

In Cotonou 🇧🇯 the @_AfricanUnion conveyed its Member States & RECs to refine Africa’s Continental Strategy on Climate-Induced Mobility. The consultation refined priorities, recommendations & implementation plans for sustainable, people-centred solutions across the continent.

Post-Event Highlights | 2️⃣day Consultation Workshop on the Draft @_AfricanUnion Continental Strategy on Climate-Induced Human Mobility | Cotonou 🇧🇯| 🔑 Takeaway: Responding to climate vulnerability requires collective action, shared commitment & coordinated continental efforts.

ECSA-HC values the continued collaboration with @IGADsecretariat under the #HEPRRP Programme as we work together to enhance preparedness, emergency response, surveillance systems, and resilient health systems across the region. Partnerships remain critical in advancing sustainable health security and protecting communities from emerging public health threats. @IGADHealthS #WHA79 #HealthSecurity #RegionalCollaboration

3/ Delegates visited livelihood initiatives demonstrating the impact of this model, including a dairy cooperative run by 154 refugees; women, youth, and persons with disabilities included. The cooperative manages 450+ dairy cows and produces 2,200 liters of milk daily, supported by the @RwandaGov, @RefugeesRwanda, and partners through extension services, market linkages, and business development support. Rwanda’s approach shows how progressive refugee governance can unlock self-reliance, strengthen social cohesion, and reduce long-term dependency.

2/ Noted; Rwanda’s refugee response model shifts beyond care and maintenance toward socio-economic inclusion. Through progressive laws and policies, refugees are recognized as economic actors with access to: • Legal identity & mobility • Employment opportunities • Banking & mobile money services • Business and cooperative registration • Education & healthcare Refugee camps are increasingly integrated into local economies as socio-economic hubs that benefit both refugees and host communities.

#𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐃𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐞𝐬' 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩, 𝐑𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 🇷🇼 Highlights -🧵 1/ @RwandaEmergency organized a Field Learning Visit for #IGAD Member States delegations to #Mahama Refugee Camp in Kirehe District. Delegates were welcomed by the Mayor of @KireheDistrict, HW Bruno @rangira. Mahama hosts 71,218 refugees — 51% of Rwanda’s refugee population, and stands as a leading example of progressive refugee governance focused on inclusion, dignity, and self-reliance. #IGADSupportPlatform

𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐃 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 - #𝐖𝐇𝐀𝟕𝟗 On the sidelines of the #WHA79, IGAD’s Director of Health & Social Development, Amb. Moussa @meigague, and @ECSA_HC Director General, Dr. @ntulikapologwe held productive discussions on strengthening collaboration in implementing the Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Resilience (HEPRR) - Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA) Programme. The meeting focused on enhancing regional interventions and technical support for MPA countries, mobilizing resources to strengthen country support, and planning a bilateral retreat to deepen strategic engagement. The @IGADsecretariat and ECSA-HC are the regional coordinating institutions of the @WorldBankGroup funded HEPRR programme for East and Southern Africa, implemented in Ethiopia, Kenya, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, DR Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe and Zambia. #HEPRRPUpdates

2/2 The ETM model offers important lessons for IGAD and Member States in addressing dangerous irregular migration especially toward Europe and the Middle East. Beyond emergency protection, sustainable solutions require tackling the root causes of migration — including conflict, climate insecurity, unemployment, and displacement in the Horn of Africa. Expanding safe and regular migration pathways remains essential, especially critical for the Horn of Africa where conflicts, climate insecurity, unemployment, and protracted displacement remain major push factors.

📝𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐑𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 🧵 1/2 As part of the IGAD Member States' Learning Mission from Rwanda’s Progressive Refugee Management Model, delegations visited the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) Center in Gashora, Rwanda. Established through a 2019 MoU between the @_AfricanUnion, @RwandaGov, and @RefugeesRwanda, the ETM has rescued 2,924 African migrants stranded in Libya, offering safe haven and access to durable solutions, including third-country resettlement. A strong example of regional solidarity and protection in action.

𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐃 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 - #𝐖𝐇𝐀𝟕𝟗 On behalf of H.E. @DrWorkneh Gebeyehu, Amb. Moussa Meigague, Director of Health and Social Development at @IGADsecretariat, together with IGAD Head of Mission to Kenya, Dr. @FatumaIAdan, met with Dr. Priya Basu, Executive Head of the @Pandemic_Fund, and Deputy Executive Head Mikeal Garnnier on the sidelines of #WHA79. The high-level discussions focused on advancing emergency preparedness and strengthening the capacity of IGAD Member States to prepare for and respond to the current Ebola outbreak within and beyond the region through the Pandemic Fund–IGAD Initiative on Pandemic Preparedness and Response (#PREPARE). IGAD and the Pandemic Fund reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the ongoing Ebola outbreak response across the IGAD region through strengthened regional coordination, preparedness, and response capacities. #IGADHealth @HonAdenDuale

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 (#𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐏) 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 The Stakeholder Meeting on strengthening #FELTP in Burundi concludes in Bujumbura, marking another step toward a stronger public health workforce in 🇧🇮 Key officials from the Ministries of Health, Environment and Livestock, alongside frontline teams from the Emergency Operations Center, engaged with experts from @IGADsecretariat, @AFENETAfrica, @AfricaCDC, and @WHO_Burundi on scaling up intermediate and advanced FELTP training nationwide. Key outcomes include: 🔹 Launch of the 1st I-FELTP Burundi Cohort in October 2026 🔹 Convening of the FELTP Steering Committee 🔹 Development of the national FELTP Roadmap #Burundi is among the 11 countries implementing the @WorldBankAfrica funded Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Program (HEPRRP) for Eastern and Southern Africa, coordinated by #IGAD and @ECSA_HC. #HEPRRPUpdates #IGADHealth

A title win celebrated around the world 🌍 @Arsenal

#HEPRRPUpdates 📍Bujumbura, Burundi🇧🇮 📢As part of ongoing stakeholder engagement to strengthen the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) in Burundi, experts from @IGADsecretariat, @AFENETAfrica, @AfricaCDC, and @WHO_Burundi paid a courtesy visit to the Acting Director General at @msp_burundi, Dr. Ntihabose Oscar, to advance advocacy efforts for the programme. Discussions focused on scaling up FELTP, strengthening government ownership, setting clear implementation timelines, and ensuring long-term sustainability through integration into national health plans. #IGADHealth

🚑 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢’𝐬 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 📍 Day 2 Highlights Participants from Burundi’s Ministries of Health, Environment, Livestock, and the Public Health Institute joined experts from @IGADsecretariat, @AFENETAfrica, @AfricaCDC, and @WhoBurundi to advance implementation plans for the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) in Burundi. 🇧🇮 Discussions focused on the curriculum, participant selection, mentorship, certification, and the implementation roadmap, among others The initiative is supported under the @WorldBankGroup-funded HEPRRP program, which aims to strengthen health systems resilience and emergency preparedness across Eastern and Southern Africa. #HEPRRPUpdates #IGADHealth

#RenforcementDesCapacités | Le #Burundi consolide ses ressources humaines en #SantéPublique. Le @msp_burundi, à travers l’@INSP_Burundi, en partenariat avec @IGADsecretariat, @AFENETAfrica et @AfricaCDC, a lancé du 19 au 21 mai 2026 une réunion des parties prenantes consacrée au renforcement du Programme de Formation en Épidémiologie de Terrain et de Laboratoire du #Burundi (#FELTP). Selon le Professeur #Joseph #NYANDWI, Directeur de l’@INSP_Burundi, cette rencontre vise à examiner les progrès déjà réalisés, évaluer la faisabilité de la mise en place d’un Programme Intermédiaire de Formation en #Épidémiologie de Terrain (I-FETP), identifier les principales lacunes et élaborer une feuille de route pour renforcer durablement les capacités de la main-d’œuvre en épidémiologie dans le pays. S’exprimant au nom du Directeur de @IGADHealthS, Dr #Waqo #Boru, Épidémiologiste médical principal, a souligné l’urgence de disposer d’une main-d’œuvre qualifiée, rapidement mobilisable, capable de répondre efficacement aux épidémies qui continuent de mettre sous pression les systèmes de santé nationaux. La formation en épidémiologie de terrain s’étendra sur une période de deux ans. #HEPRRPUpdates #IGADHealth #SantéPublique #Burundi