IFC Appoints New Regional Director For Eastern Africa

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IFC has announced the appointment of Mary Porter Peschka as its new Regional Director for Eastern Africa.

Peschka, who brings more than 30 years of global investment and development expertise to her new role, will drive IFC’s strategy across the region to support resilient, inclusive, and sustainable private sector growth and job creation.

As Regional Director, Peschka will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and will lead IFC’s strategy for Eastern Africa, overseeing its operations across sectors and offices, and managing key relationships with clients, partners, and governments. Peschka, an American national, most recently served as IFC’s Global Director for Sustainability and Gender Solutions based in Washington D.C.

“I welcome Mary to her new role and know her energy and leadership will continue to expand IFC’s impact and generate new partnerships in Eastern Africa to meet the needs of the moment, position the region for the future and build a strong foundation for an engaged and inclusive private sector,” said Sérgio Pimenta, IFC Vice President for Africa.

Mary holds an MSc in Anthropology & Development from the London School of Economics & Political Science, an MBA from the University of Oxford, and a BA in International Affairs from the George Washington University. During her 19 years at IFC, Peschka has worked across numerous sectors and regions, including in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.

“I’m excited to join IFC’s team in Africa to continue expanding our work supporting a strong and inclusive private sector that contributes to greener and more sustainable growth in Africa. My focus will be on supporting partners to tackle the multiple crises we are facing today and to leverage the opportunities ahead from digital innovation to regional trade and small business development,” said Peschka.

Peschka will oversee IFC’s operations in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

IFC currently has an investment and advisory portfolio in Eastern Africa of $2.3 billion. IFC’s focus in Eastern Africa includes bridging infrastructure gaps in housing and healthcare, improving energy infrastructure, boosting agricultural productivity, supporting small businesses, and helping to drive regional trade and connectivity.

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Malawi: UN, Partners Plead for $45.3m Aid for Malawians Hit by Cholera

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The UN and Malawian humanitarian partners on Monday said they are appealing for $45.3 million to assist 4 million people devastated by the country’s deadliest cholera outbreak in recent history.

As of Monday, Malawi had recorded 1,476 deaths and 46,219 cases of cholera since the outbreak in March, which has affected all the 29 districts of the country.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), this funding will support the Malawi government-led response over the next five months.

“The flash appeal aims to help the people most at risk and hardest hit by the outbreak through health, water and sanitation, nutrition, education and protection services,” OCHA said.

Deadliest cholera outbreak
The deadliest cholera outbreak in Malawi’s history has also spread to the neighbouring countries of Mozambique and Zambia.

Last week, Mozambique government said that the death toll from cholera had risen to 16, with almost 1,400 cases recorded.

Most of the cases have been reported in Niassa northern province of Mozambique and the authorities suspect that cases are being imported from Malawi.

The World Health Organisation has also reported cases of cholera in Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Somalia.

Hiiraan