Liberia is a fragile, low-income country. Per-capita income remains about a third of the level prior to the civil wars during 1989-2003. After a bout of economic instability, prudent monetary and fiscal policies reduced inflation to just over 5 percent in 2021 and budgets are financed without recourse to central bank credit. Economic growth suffered first from macroeconomic instability and then from the COVID-19 pandemic. Growth rebounded to 5 percent in 2021 and, after a soft patch this year due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, should reach 5-6 percent in the medium term if Liberia taps its clear potential through persistent structural reforms and prudent policies. The government’s resolve will be tested in the runup to the general elections in September 2023.

FAO assesses that globally 44 countries, including 33 in Africa, 9 in Asia, and 2 in Latin America and the Caribbean, are in need of external assistance for food. Critical areas of concern are Afghanistan and the Tigray Region in Ethiopia, where conflict situations have severely worsened the already fragile food insecurity conditions, and in Haiti and southern Madagascar due to natural disasters and weather shocks. At the global level, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to undermine food security.

This book makes a significant contribution by initiating debate on the state of human rights, freedoms and civil liberties in the context of emergencies such as pandemics in general and Covid-19 in particular. It is without doubt that as the world was preoccupied with combating the Covid-19 pandemic, issues of rights, freedoms and liberties in the context of this struggle increasingly came under close scrutiny. The book is for students and practitioners across fields, but most especially in history, law, political science, development studies, philosophy, social anthropology and sociology.

This book argues that a leading cause of the political instability in the Horn of Africa is a crisis of governance, caused by extreme centralization of power, weak institutions, and the failure to institutionalise the responsible use of authority. In recent years, many attempts have been made to resolve the ongoing conflicts in Somalia and South Sudan, but problems remain, and in 2019 the instability spread to Ethiopia. This book critically examines how many of the governance problems in the region can be addressed through institutional design. The central argument is that an inclusive system of governance through federalism, devolution, and inclusive political institutions as well as ensuring the institutionalization of power through strengthening the rule of law has the potential to make governments more accountable, inclusive, and be able to deliver critical services. Such systems ensure relative stability and peace and reduce the risks of state fragmentation – a major concern in the region. Demonstrating that the threats of further fragmentation and conflict due to the crisis of governance are likely to continue unless serious steps are taken to deal with the situation, the book will be an important read for researchers and policy makers with an interest in peacemaking, politics, constitutional law, and federalism in the region.

This book offers a timely review of modern technologies for health, with a special emphasis on wireless and wearable technologies, GIS tools and machine learning methods for managing the impacts of pandemics. It describes new strategies for forecasting evolution of pandemics, optimizing contract tracing, and for detection and diagnosis of diseases, among others. Written by researchers and professionals with different backgrounds, this book offers a extensive information and a source of inspiration for physiologists, engineers, IT scientists and policy makers in the health and technology sector.

Bob's journey spans over four decades, transitioning from a young actor in California to a successful business career. In 2019, he retires from the corporate world to pursue his original passions of acting, filmmaking, and living a nomadic life traveling throughout Europe. In January 2020, Bob's European adventure begins in Vienna, Austria, and everything goes smoothly until mid-March when a global pandemic changes the world. He narrowly escapes border closures and reaches Zagreb, Croatia, only to face a devastating earthquake, the worst in the country in 140 years. The US Travel Department advises him to return home, but lacking a real home to go back to, Bob decides to stay in Europe. Riding out the pandemic in Europe grants Bob a unique perspective on the world as he learns to face fears, develop resilience, and keep moving forward. Upon returning to the US after three years, Bob is met with a different world, where discussing sensitive subjects like the pandemic, health, politics, and just about any subject seems to pose challenges and creates occasional tension. The atmosphere feels delicate and uncertain, leading to shifts in relationships. However, reconnecting with loved ones after a long absence proves to be a transformative, healing, and enlightening experience for Bob. His journey represents a testament to embracing change, facing adversity, and finding personal growth through exploration and pursuing one's passions.