Latest news with #ECHO
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Palestinian Photographers' pictures exhibited by UNICEF in new exhibition - A QUESTION MARK HANGS OVER GAZA
THE COMPLEX Gallery - Smithfield - July 25-Aug 12 "A QUESTION MARK HANGS OVER GAZA" is a powerful exhibition capturing the lived reality of children in Gaza. In 2025, the exhibition will travel across multiple countries, bringing these stories to new audiences. Produced by UNICEF with support from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) "A QUESTION MARK HANGS OVER GAZA" presents striking images of Palestinian children as seen through the eyes of those who live alongside them every day. The exhibition calls attention to the urgent need for a ceasefire and a just, lasting solution for all children in the region, while also underscoring the vital assistance provided by ECHO and UNICEF. Amid the ongoing war, international journalists and photographers remain unable to independently access the Gaza Strip. In their absence, Palestinian journalists and photographers have become the sole witnesses—capturing and conveying the unfolding reality. Through their lenses, the world has gained a vital, if limited, window into life on the ground. Beyond their photographs, their audio recordings have been essential in shaping the exhibition's soundscape. Every ambient sound is drawn from field recordings, with any missing or compromised audio meticulously reconstructed to remain faithful to the original environment.
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Ranger Energy Services to Launch Industry's First Hybrid Double Electric Workover Rigs
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ranger Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE: RNGR) ('Ranger' or the 'Company') today announced the development of the industry's first Hybrid Double Electric Workover Rig. This innovation represents a major leap forward in improving operating efficiency, maintaining safe operations and reducing emissions. Construction of the hybrid rigs involves the conversion of an existing Taylor rig design uniquely available to Ranger, allowing electrification of the existing high-specification rig fleet at a cost that is meaningfully below the estimated cost of a newbuild electric rig. The ECHO rig leverages proven industrial electrification technologies adapted from outside the energy sector, delivering a differentiated solution to the market. Two ECHO rigs are under construction with delivery expected in the third quarter of 2025. 'This project reflects the balance Ranger brings to innovation,' said Stuart Bodden, Chief Executive Officer. 'We've engineered a capital-efficient path to electrification that is a step change in operating efficiency with significant safety enhancements and the capability to eliminate emissions. Both of our ECHO rigs have been contracted with major U.S. operators and these contracts include provisions for a return on our capital investment and options for additional ECHO rigs demonstrating market demand for this differentiated solution.' The ECHO rigs are engineered to operate with zero emissions when connected to well site power. Their electric drive trains support regenerative braking, while a modular architecture allows key components to be swapped or serviced with minimal downtime. With real-time system diagnostics, remote safety interlocks, and integrated artificial intelligence support from Ranger Overwatch, these rigs set a new standard for performance and safety. Ranger Energy Services continues to focus on practical innovation that delivers measurable impact and the Company remains well positioned to expand deployment of these electrified rigs as market interest grows. About Ranger Energy Services Ranger Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE: RNGR) is a premier provider of high-specification well service rigs and completion-focused solutions to the U.S. onshore oil and gas industry. Ranger is committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative services that maximize customer productivity while supporting environmental responsibility. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements included in this release are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Refer to the Company's SEC filings for further information.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Mum treated like 'rabid dog' before choking to death on paper
Margaret Mary Picton, known as Rita, died of aspiration pneumonia. A woman said her vulnerable mum was 'left like a dog' and mocked by staff in a mental health facility. An inquest found that neglect she suffered contributed to Margaret Mary Picton's painful and traumatic death. She died of aspiration pneumonia after choking on paper in September 2022. While Margaret, known as Rita, from St Helens, died nearly three years ago, her devastated family had to wait until earlier this year for an inquest that would shed light on the shocking neglect she suffered on the Fern Ward at Leigh Moss Hospital in Liverpool, which is operated by the region's Mersey Care mental health trust and specifically cares for patients with dementia. Rita was 76 when she died but her health had been declining for some years after she began suffering from vascular dementia, reports the ECHO. "Mum was a very straightforward person, she would always tell it like it is," explained Rita's daughter, Rachel Burkey, 51. "She was very good natured and would always give her kids whatever we needed. She was a really good mum. "But a few years ago I noticed changes in her behaviour and her mood. Then my sister called to say she was confused and had come at her with a knife. It was horrendous." Having been in a care home in St Helens for some time, Rita's unpredictable and at times aggressive behaviour led to her being sectioned sectioned under the Mental Health Act and taken to Leigh Moss on September 10 at 3am. "We got the call to say they wanted to section her," explained Rachel. "Obviously her needs would go ahead whatever we wanted and we said if this is what mum needed in order to get help then we weren't against it." On admission to the ward, it was decided that Rita should be observed by staff at least every 15 minutes because of her changing mood and previous incidents of self harming. The inquest at Liverpool Coroner's Court in January heard that staff on the ward missed opportunities to respond to Rita's erratic and dangerous behaviour, including stabbing herself with a pen. Staff did not escalate the incidents and observations were not correctly carried out. One particular staff member, who was responsible for engaging with Rita on the wards, did not make any "meaningful attempts to engage positively" with her, the inquest concluded. Worse than that, he was described as "unprofessional and disrespectful" when making gestures towards her. Rachel elaborated on the behaviour of this staff member having seen CCTV images during the inquest. She added: "On the CCTV I have seen, she is in the corner, she looks like she has been there for hours. To me, she looked like she had been left like a dog with rabies. "He (the staff member) was pretending to shoot a bow and arrow at her and pretending to shoot himself in the head. He even mimicked her when she was eating paper." The coroner Helen Rimmer concluded that Rita's observations were "limited and of poor quality", meaning further opportunities were missed to identify a deterioration in her behaviour and to escalate concerns. For one hour there were no observations of her at all due to a "communication breakdown" between staff. The coroner stated: "This was fundamental basic care and supervision, which more likely than not would have led to an escalation and review of Rita's behaviour and presentation at that time had the requisite observations been undertaken." The inquest was told that CCTV footage then showed at least five, possibly six occasions where Rita could be seen placing paper in her mouth, with staff present on all occasions. While they did intervene and remove some paper from her, they again did not escalate concerns. In the evening of September 10, one member of staff saw Rita eating paper and did not remove it from her, instead miming an action of eating paper to someone else and sat with his back to Rita, failing to properly supervise or monitor her. In her record of inquest, the coroner states: "Staff were aware of the choking risk of paper eating but failed to escalate matters, intervene, and appropriately monitor Rita. She added: "It is more likely than not that had staff been appropriately observing and supporting Rita, they would have removed all paper from her or in the alternative escalated concerns about Rita eating paper earlier with the nurse in charge who would then have removed any paper from Rita, identified any continuing concerns and reviewed risks, which would have included consideration of the level of Rita's supportive observations. This would have more likely than not prevented Rita from eating paper and subsequently choking." Rita collapsed shortly afterwards and shockingly the staff who had seen her eating paper did not tell those performing CPR on her about this, so choking prevention measures were not considered. Paramedics were called but were delayed by being locked out of the hospital building. When they did arrive, CPR had been ongoing for 25 minutes and Rita had gone into cardiac arrest twice before the paramedics were told that Rita had been eating paper prior to her collapsing. This delayed the paramedics from removing the paper, which was causing a blockage in Rita's airway. The coroner stated: "This was basic care and treatment that should have been undertaken and raised sooner. Not to have provided this basic care and information to professionals treating Rita was a gross failure which more likely than not hastened Rita's death." Rachel described these failures as "sickening", adding: "I can't believe they didn't even tell the paramedics that she had chewed paper until the very end. She had two cardiac arrests before they said anything. It is hard to think of that being her end." Rita was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital where she went onto develop aspiration pneumonia and died on September 26 2022. The coroner stated: "The aspiration pneumonia was more likely than not caused by Rita eating the paper, the resuscitation efforts that followed Rita eating the paper and collapsing or a combination of both. The failure to immediately notify staff and paramedics that Rita had ingested paper prior to her collapse represented a failure to render care that would more likely than not have prolonged her life. Ms Rimmer added: "Having identified a specific gross failure which clearly amounts to neglect, it is also found that the accumulation of the catalogue of missed opportunities throughout the care of Rita by those involved in her care at Leigh Moss Hospital, namely the acts and omissions mentioned above, have as a whole also amounted to neglect." Knowing that there had been failures in her mum's care, Rachel and her sister Jak fought for justice but had to wait years for the inquest to take place because of various delays. They instructed a barrister for the hearing to ensure they got the right result for their mum. "I thought, I am going to get my mum justice," added Rachel. "I am going to make them tell me what they did. This was about accountability. "We came out of that inquest and we said 'we've done you proud mum', she was neglected and people will know that. I feel like we got justice and by sharing it with the ECHO everyone will know what happened." Rachel added: "Mum was a fighter, even on that day on the CCTV she was still giving as good as she got. We will remember her fight and her spirit, she went through a lot and that's the sad thing. She shouldn't have been left like a dog in the corner, with no one doing anything except teasing her and basically watching her die. But I think mum would be looking down now and saying 'good on you girls' for us fighting like this. I can see her saying that, she was really feisty. She was a lovely mum and a strong woman who wouldn't back down from what she thought was right." In a statement, A Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said, 'We'd like to again offer our sincere condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Margaret Mary Picton. While we are unable to comment on individual patient care because of rules governing patient confidentiality, we can confirm that we fully co-operated with the Coroner's investigation. We also accept the findings of the Assistant Coroner, Helen Rimmer and would like to sincerely apologise for the shortcomings in care. "A patient safety learning review was undertaken following the tragic circumstances which led to Mrs Picton's death. This is in line with the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) which is the NHS approach for responding to patient safety incidents, focussing on learning and making immediate changes to ensure patient safety, through a compassionate, system based and proportionate approach.
Zawya
7 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
World Health Organization (WHO) hands over supplies to Al Sabbah Children Hospital, South Sudan's only children hospital
Al Sabbah children hospital is the only tertiary referral children's hospital in South Sudan with a stabilization center receiving children with severe acute malnutrition from all parts of the country. This translates into the high demand for medical supplies and equipment for the hospital to be able to tend to the one thousand children coming to the center each month. Despite the stretch, Al Sabbah children hospital runs with slightly over 100 health workers and still manages to provide clinical training to students from both public and private institutions. The nutrition team of the World Health Organization (WHO) in South Sudan has been a longstanding partner and advocate for the hospital to benefit from technical and logistical support in critical areas. Dr Joseph Elias, the acting Executive Director of Al Sabbah is appreciative of WHO's support: 'We know that the patients exceed the hospital's capacity which affects the access to timely and quality healthcare. Having partners such as WHO supporting Al Sabbah children hospital is a godsend for both the health workers and the families.' said Dr Elias. On 21 July, WHO handed over pediatric beds, mattresses, oxygen concentrators, spare parts, severe acute malnutrition (SAM) kits and pulse oximeters to the management of Al Sabbah children hospital. The medical supplies and equipment were procured with funding from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). The handover was an emotional moment for the personnel who often have more patients than beds and less supplies than they need to treat them. Betty Achan has been a nutritionist at Al Sabbah children hospital stabilization center for over a decade: 'Look at this beautiful ward. These beds were really needed. Receiving them from WHO was a relief. We have so many children, and it is heartbreaking to tell a family that you have nowhere to put their sick child. Please go be our ambassadors and advocate more. We need more over everything because the demand is so high.' Said Betty. South Sudan faces many challenges, particularly in the health sector, and children are among the most vulnerable. Based on the hospital's monthly pediatric death audits, 50% of deaths occurring at Al Sabbah are recorded at the stabilization center. Over the first quarter of 2025, mortality rates at the center range between 14% and 19%. The main causes of the alarming rates being Malaria, Pneumonia, Sepsis and Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) which is particularly dangerous for children due to their smaller and developing bodies making them more susceptible to infections. The supplies from WHO are intended to strengthen the stabilization center and hospital's capacity to respond to the needs of children who walk through Al Sabbah's doors. Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative in South Sudan assured the hospital of continued support: 'These supplies are for the children. They are for the mothers who sit anxiously at their bedside. They are for the doctors and nurses who work tirelessly. And they are for a future where every child in South Sudan has the opportunity not just to survive, but to thrive.' Supporting Al Sabbah children hospital is part of WHO's broader commitment to improving maternal, newborn, and child health in South Sudan as well as the country's health priorities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - South Sudan.
Zawya
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
European Union Commits €1.5m for Victims of Yelwata Crises and Other IDPs in Benue State and Supports Nigeria in Addressing the Nutrition Emergnecy Situation Particularly in the North-West and North-East
The European Union (EU) has committed 1.5 million Euros (€1.5m) to support victims of the recent Benue State conflict. The envelope is composed by the rapid humanitarian response from EU Humanitarian Office ECHO (€0.5m) and a repurposing of EU funded SIDPIN project for durable solutions (€1m). IOM, UNHCR UNICEF, and UN-HABITAT as other international NGOs are among the agencies dealing with the response. The European Union (EU) has committed 1.5 million Euros (€1.5m) to support victims of the recent Benue State conflict. The envelope is composed by the rapid humanitarian response from EU Humanitarian Office ECHO (€0.5m) and a repurposing of EU funded SIDPIN project for durable solutions (€1m). IOM, UNHCR UNICEF, and UN-HABITAT as other international NGOs are among the agencies dealing with the response. This was disclosed by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Gautier Mignot during a meeting between the EU delegation with the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, Honourable Minister of State Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Permanent Secretary Dr Yakubu Adam Kofarmata and Directors of the Ministry, held in the Minister's Office in Abuja on 14th July 2025. The delegation was in the Ministry to follow up on the visit to Benue State (24-25 June 2025) and explore ways of support to the victims in the IDP camps in the State as well as discuss on high level of severe malnutrition and food crisis affecting the North East and North West and other emerging hot spots in the country in particular during the ongoing lean season. Through ECHO, the EU has already brought 35 M€ of humanitarian assistance to Nigeria, mainly focused on nutrition, in 2025 and a possible top-up is being considered, in addition to the assistance also provided by several EU Member States. The Minister, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's appreciation of the continuous support of the International Community for vulnerable persons in the country. He said he recently visited Borno and Benue States and the communities are in dare need of humanitarian support 'We are in acute need of nutrition for children under five years and lactating mothers' he said. He acknowledged EU contributions and Presidential commitment to leaving no one behind and confirmed ongoing food support mobilization and validated needs assessments, especially in Benue state. He stated plans to establish a pooled funding mechanism with Federal, State and donor contributions, advocacy engagement with the Nigerian Governors Forum and commitment to declare malnutrition an emergency. The two parties agreed to establish a task force to define roles and accelerate interventions in relation to the current nutrition emergency situation in the northern regions and collaborate on joint food security assessment, streamline supply chain processes and convene a collaborative platform with partners to coordinate humanitarian response to address the high level of malnutrition and food insecurity. Finally, on 19-20 July, Minister Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda and Ambassador Gautier Mignot went for a joint visit to Sokoto State together with humanitarian partners (UNICEF, ACF, MSF). They paid a courtesy call to the Executive Governor of Sokoto H.E Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto and visited nutrition stabilization centers for children under 5 operated by ACF and MSF and with the support of UNICEF, to get a first-hand knowledge of the situation and discuss urgent next steps to face the crisis. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Delegation of the European Union to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS.
