Pakistan was recently hit by the worst floods in its history. Hundreds of thousands of people are now living in dire conditions in the flooded areas, with little to no access to clean drinking water or sanitary facilities. This includes many pregnant women.

African economies are due to emerge from recession this year, but their recoveries remain fragile, according to the World Bank's Africa's Pulse report. Axel van Trotsenburg, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank, tells FRANCE 24 that rising inflation has led to more food insecurity across Africa. He wants the Covid-19 vaccine rollout to be accelerated in order to get 40 percent of the continent fully vaccinated by the end of the year.

African economies are due to emerge from recession this year, but their recoveries remain fragile, according to the World Bank's Africa's Pulse report. Axel van Trotsenburg, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank, tells FRANCE 24 that rising inflation has led to more food insecurity across Africa. He wants the Covid-19 vaccine rollout to be accelerated in order to get 40 percent of the continent fully vaccinated by the end of the year.

The top US infectious disease official has also pleaded with citizens to get vaccinated, saying the country finds itself in an "unnecessary predicament." A number of states are seeing a fresh surge in infections.

Firefighters rescue people stranded, including a baby and a pregnant woman, following devastating torrential rains in China that left at least 33 dead. With many streets still flooded, trucks pumped muddy water from underground tunnels as meteorologists issued "red" rain alerts, warning of the threat of fresh landslides and flooding in surrounding areas.

As France endures its third week of lockdown to fight the spread of COVID-19, solidarity is stepping up a gear. From home-made face masks and protective shields, to the distribution of meals to the most vulnerable, initiatives to help others are springing up throughout the country. In Paris and Normandy, our reporters Clovis Casali and Julie Dungelhoeff went to meet French people who are refusing to sit back and want to help those most affected by this unprecedented crisis.

Rwanda's hillside farming communities are increasingly vulnerable to flooding. For some whose livelihoods were washed away, a green village illage offers hope.