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Bolivarian Government of Venezuela

Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs Office of The Deputy Minister for Africa

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Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Kenya Concurrent to Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Somalia

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Permanent Mission of Venezuela to the United Nations Environment programme (UNEP)and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme ( UN Habitat).

VOL. 2: ISSUE. 1, 18th January 2016

Venezuela increased social investment by 24.7% despite the economic war

As part of his annual address to the National Assembly, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, said that there was still a looming media smear campaign over the country, even though the Revolutionary Government has taken to protecting people and not economic groups.

He said that there are four factors that affect the economy.

"The collapse of prices and incomes, lack of a productive system to sustain and replace the oil revenue, the absence of a national spirit of cooperation for the economic development of social peace by the most important sectors of the private enterprise, and the monstrous attack on the currency, the exchange system and the improvisation of infringement mechanisms of monetary policy of the country ".

This he stated in the National Assembly from where he delivered the annual address to the nation.

In this regard, the Venezuelan president issued to the National Assembly the National Emergency Decree for the parliamentarians to approve and at the same time asked for support to solve the economic crisis for the benefit of the people.

He stressed that despite the economic war the government managed an increase in social investment, "increased in 24.7% in the Bolivarian Revolution from the governments of the Fourth Republic."

Maduro said that revenue has been invested in housing construction and development of other missions.

He charged that the private sector has declared war and had joined the speculation mechanism and economic warfare.

Inside this Issue!

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Venezuela increased social investment by 24.7% despite the economic war

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Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Ministry of People's Power for Foreign Affairs CommuniquĂŠ

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Economic Emergency Decree safeguards Venezuela's social rights.

Nicolas Maduro also analyzed the collapse of oil prices, and said it was due to geopolitical interests and destabilization.

He recalled that in 2015 "before this National Assembly I made a commitment to defend wages, and for this four wage increases were applied with an accrual basis of 134%. Much needs to be done on the protection of wages and employment; it is a truth to confirm".

In this regard, the Venezuelan president gave instructions to activate collective contracts at all levels.

"It will demonstrate the ability of the socialist model in preserving employment protection and housing."

He also referred to the current rate of unemployment that stands at 6%. "We are in the midst of the economic storm. Normally unemployment levels soar, we have maintained the quality. Our goal must be that the employment rate reaches 70%."

He said that the main purpose of 2016 is to preserve the social order to guarantee for the Venezuelan people a good life. / Yuxileider Aguilar. www.avn.info.ve Pg 4.

Housing Mission surpasses 1 million houses built.

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Mission Negra Hipolita celebrates 10 years providing solidarity to destitute people.

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People's power has the task of raising awareness about saving water.

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Promoting the Unknown Africa:

Liberia Ebola epidemic 'over', ending West African outbreak

BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA MINISTRY OF PEOPLE'S POWER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMUNIQUÉ The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, on behalf of the Venezuelan people and his government, expresses his joy and satisfaction with the historic announcement on January 16th, 2016, about the just lifting of international sanctions that the Islamic Republic of Iran has suffered for many years.

The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela congratulates President Hassan Rohani and the brotherly people of Iran, because with patience, dignity and determination, have achieved a deserved victory that will bring welfare and prosperity to their nation, with which our country has deep ties of respect, friendship and cooperation.

Commander Hugo Chavez laid the foundation for building strategic relations between our countries, which have been strengthened by President Nicolas Maduro.

The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, on behalf of the Venezuelan people, recognizes the efforts of the international community to achieve this important step that contributes to the maintenance of peace and international stability, since it reinforces respect for the self-determination of people, the peaceful use of nuclear energy, sovereignty and peaceful settlement of disputes.

Caracas, January 17th, 2016

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Economic Emergency Decree safeguards Venezuela's social rights.

In his first article, the decree provides that the National Government, within the powers granted by the Bolivarian Constitution can take "appropriate measures to effectively address the unique and extraordinary economic situation the Venezuelan state is currently facing."

The Economic Emergency Decree –approved

by President Nicolas Maduro– is aimed to protect the health, housing, education and food rights of all Venezuelans and thereby ensure its progress amid an oil price slump, which is aggravated by the speculative wave of inflation led by business sectors linked to right-wing political parties.

The decree states that the goal is "to protect the people on the basis of existing threats."

The measures to be taken by the Government "must be of a high magnitude and impact on the national economy, without affecting the rights to health, food, education, work, and all those gained for Venezuelans by the Bolivarian Revolution through class struggle that imposed the will of the people over the interests of the bourgeoisie," says the preamble to the decree that was read Friday by Vice President for Economic Area, Luis Salas in the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas.

It also establishes, beyond any particular interest, the full enjoyment of the Venezuelan people "of their rights and free access to basic goods and services and also mitigates the effects of induced inflation, speculation, fictitious value of currency, sabotage to distribution systems for goods and services."

Opening Paths for a Better Future.

Furthermore, the decree seeks to "counteract the consequences of the war in oil prices, which has broken through the heat of the volatile international geopolitical situation, creating a serious economic crisis." www.avn.info.ve

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Housing Mission surpasses 1 million houses built.

So far this January the Great Housing Mission Venezuela has delivered 1,627 homes to the same number of families across the country, which added to the million homes delivered at the end of 2015, make a total of 1,001,627 homes since this program began in 2011.

In statements to state media, the owner Maylie Hoyer, who lives with his partner and his son, a young man with disabilities named Miguel Angel, said she felt fulfilled since the acquisition of an own home was a right that had been denied for many years.

The information was released by the Housing Minister Manuel Quevedo while visiting the housing complex Coquivacoa I, located in Zulia state, where this Thursday 24 families received the keys to their homes. At the same time, 572 other decent dwelling units were delivered in three other states.

“Today I realize a long time dream and we have to know, that as my turn came, Housing Mission will reach all those Venezuelans who need it (‌) I have always said that those who need shelter, as I needed it, we are here to provide support.

Venezuela, this is a reality, it is my home, it is home to Miguel Angel,�

Maylie said from the living room of her home.

The houses acquired Thursday by these families, which are priced at 710,000 bolivars, are four-family homes, townhouse-like apartment. Each apartment has three bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bathroom.

after Miranda. To deliver 64,611 new buildings and renovate other 56,050, through the mission Barrio Nuevo, Barrio Tricolor are among the primary targets for 2016.

Similarly, the minister said that this Thursday of Houses, as it is called the mass allocation carried out every week by the Bolivarian Government, it was completed the restoration of 100 houses in the Boyaca passage of Miranda state, which were under the responsibility of Great Mission Barrio Nuevo, Barrio Tricolor. www.hoyvenezuela.info

With these apartments delivered in Zulia state, this western region has 103,955 dwelling units built by the Housing Mission since 2011, being the second state with the largest number of homes built 4

Mission Negra Hipolita celebrates 10 years providing solidarity to destitute people.

Mission Negra Hipolita celebrates 10 years assisting in the rehabilitation of homeless people, who are given the necessary tools for personal and social development.

"Let us not be blind" to the marginalized, who are victims of poverty, exclusion and drugs, the commander insisted on his Alo Presidente program on January 8, 2006.

The social program, which was launched by President Hugo Chavez on January 14, 2006, gives special attention to people with diseases, addiction problems and psychiatric disorders, through health care and comprehensive training, which ensure assistance, protection and safeguarding of citizens.

Those Venezuelans who choose to change their living situation receive for 10 months free treatment with trained personnel to help them discover their potential and develop their talent, a method through which at least 4,000 people across the country have accomplished family, labor and educational reintegration, recovering their human dignity.

At the time of its launching, Chavez explained that this program is aimed "especially at the population in extreme vulnerability: street children, homeless, indigenous people, pregnant women living in poverty, misery, and people with extreme disability, physical and mental disabilities. In short, it is a very Christian, very humanitarian mission."

Similarly, this social program conducts comprehensive seminars across the country, which have reached more than 7,000 homeless people, including those that decided to enter the rehabilitation program and culminated it.

An outstanding example of this mission can be seen in the Oasis Farm, located in Vargas state, one of the temporary shelters in place to rehabilitate destitute and drug addicts. There, people are put to work in agriculture, animal care, play sports, receive education classes, clothing, footwear, as well as guidance and supervision by clergyman Freddy Romero.

Regarding rehabilitated citizens in this farm, director Romero said on the occasion of the program's ninth anniversary that they are "an army that one day was destroying this city and today they are working in building. We are examples of good citizens."

In a new phase, men and women who stayed at the Negra Hipolita mission have joined the efforts to renovate the areas they passed by during their days spent at the farm, which is an interesting strategy for the reaffirmation of the new life chosen.

This mission was made official by Decree No. 4,210, published in the Gazette No. 38358 dated January 16, 2016, and became Foundation on September 25, 2007, through Presidential Decree No. 5,616, published in Official Gazette 38,776. www.avn.info.ve

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People's power has the task of raising awareness about saving water.

The active participation of people's power, as it is called organized communities, is essential to raise awareness of water saving, amid environmental problems caused by global warming and El NiĂąo, including drought, said the Minister for Ecosocialism and Water Ernesto Paiva on Thursday.

"People's power has to get involved in this issue permanently," stressed the minister in statements to state media from Falcon state, where he launched the Water Emergency Plan.

Regarding the Water Emergency Plan, he said resources were given to carry out works aimed at improving the situation in that state.

He also called to set up water task forces, which is vital to overcome these climate effects.

As for the possible consequences of these phenomena in the country, the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology or Inameh predicts that in 2016 drought and high temperatures will be stronger in Venezuela.

This situation is worsened since last year, also because of the drought; reservoirs did not receive the required amount of water.

"These are two phenomena are cause and effect. The warming the planet is experiencing is certainly influencing the effects or may affect El NiĂąo phenomenon. So we must be aware of the importance of saving water," said Paiva.

Given this background, the Government evaluates a work plan for the distribution of water in the country.

www.avn.info.ve

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Promoting the Unknown Africa Liberia Ebola epidemic 'over', ending West African outbreak Liberia's Ebola epidemic is over, says the World Health Organization (WHO),effectively putting an end to the world's worst outbreak of the disease.

Yet these countries are also badly affected by other deadly diseases, like malaria and tuberculosis, which were mostly ignored during the outbreak.

The "end of active transmission" was declared, after 42 days without a new case in Liberia.

More than 17,000 Ebola survivors are dealing with a wide range of complications and social stigma. They include orphans with an uncertain future.

It joins Guinea and Sierra Leone, which earned the status last year. However, the WHO warned that West Africa may see flare-ups of the virus. It has killed more than 11,000 people since December 2013.A country is considered free of human-to-human transmission once two 21-day incubation periods have passed since the last known case tested negative for a second time.

The WHO said, in a statement, that "all known chains of transmission have been stopped in West Africa", with no cases reported for at least 42 days in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, the three states hardest-hit by the outbreak.

"So much was needed and so much was accomplished by national authorities, heroic health workers, civil society, local and international organizations and generous partners," said WHO chief Margaret Chan.

The economies of the three countries were also adversely affected. Sierra Leone was one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with double digit growth figures. But Ebola sank it into severe recession.

The road to complete recovery will be long and treacherous. It will no doubt continue to test the resilience of the three countries.

Deadliest outbreak 1) Over 11,000 people have died from Ebola since the epidemic erupted in 2014 - a six-fold increase of victims since its discovery in 1976.

2) Some scientists say there's a risk the virus may become an everpresent disease in West African society.

The end of active transmission of Ebola has been declared twice before in Liberia - only for the infection to re-emerge.

It is a huge relief that the most devastating outbreak of Ebola is over. Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea now face the mammoth task of recovery.

WHO said it anticipated "more flare-ups", and Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea "remain at high risk of additional small outbreaks" of Ebola.

The outbreak affected virtually every sector in these three countries. It exposed their weak health systems, which collapsed under the pressure of the epidemic.

"Evidence shows that the virus disappears relatively quickly from survivors, but can remain in the semen of a small number of male survivors for as long as one year, and in rare instances, be transmitted to intimate partners," it added.

Dr Chan described the next three months as "the most critical" for the three West African nations, which accounted for almost all of the deaths from the outbreak.

"By the end of this year, we expect that all survivors will have cleared the virus from their bodies," she was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said, in a statement, that the end of the "devastating and unprecedented epidemic" was a day of celebration and relief.

"We must all learn from this experience to improve how we respond to future epidemics and to neglected diseases," it added.

MSF was the first to warn of the danger Ebola posed when cases were reported in 2013, while the WHO downplayed the threat. www.bbc.com

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