Latest news with #DFAS
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) Visits the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to Evaluate and Strengthen Fisheries Governance Collaboration in Africa
AU-IBAR, through Mr. Delvis Fortes, Project Coordinator of the EU-funded FishGov2 Project, recently visited the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (DFAS) at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana. The visit aimed to review ongoing cooperation, evaluate the recently expired Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and explore future collaboration opportunities. Present during the engagements held on 5th May 2025, with UCC were Prof. Denis Aheto, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, and Dr. Noble Kwame Asare, Senior Lecturer and Marine Ecologist at the Department of Fisheries&Aquatic Sciences. Over the years, AU-IBAR and DFAS have successfully partnered on several activities within the framework of the FishGov2 Project: Transforming Fisheries Data Management Together, they developed a comprehensive continental database for fisheries and aquaculture to improve data accuracy, accessibility, and coordination. The database now serves as a central hub for African fisheries data, supported by regional training workshops and pilot installations in seven AU Member States. Mapping Fisheries Data in West-Central Africa DFAS researchers conducted a detailed mapping of fisheries, aquaculture, socio-economic, and environmental data to guide evidence-based governance and foster collaboration with governments and industry players. Empowering AU Member States on Ocean Governance and Fisheries Access Agreements In 2022, AU-IBAR and DFAS led a training program that equipped policymakers and stakeholders with the skills to engage effectively in ocean governance and negotiate fair fisheries access agreements. This initiative has contributed to stronger continental representation in global negotiations. In addition to the engagement with DFAS, a courtesy call was made to the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR) at UCC. ACECoR has played a significant role in multiple FishGov2 consultancies, notably: • Advancing Policy Coherence: ACECoR supported 15 AU Member States in aligning national policies with the AU's Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (PFRS), delivering targeted support to eight countries for enhanced policy harmonization. • Amplifying SIDS Voices: A dedicated study was conducted to raise the profile of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in fisheries governance, providing a roadmap for resilience, equity, and inclusion. • Bridging Global Commitments with Local Action: ACECoR developed practical mechanisms to domesticate international fisheries instruments, enhancing national capacities and aligning Africa's efforts with global sustainability goals. This strategic engagement with UCC reaffirms AU-IBAR's commitment to strengthening partnerships with academic and research institutions to foster sustainable fisheries and aquaculture governance, improve data systems, and promote inclusive policy development across Africa. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Marine retiree shares a warning about this Tricare payment problem
A retired Marine staff sergeant recently took steps to ensure he and his wife don't lose their health care coverage after his allotment for Tricare payments was mistakenly stopped during the military's transition to the new contracts in January. Russ Clark is worried that other people have been affected, too, and could unknowingly be at risk of losing their coverage. He's concerned that other beneficiaries aren't checking their pay statements from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service or their bank statements and could lose coverage if their allotment has also been discontinued. 'Others may not have noticed the allotment being stopped, as it was at the same time we got our [Cost of Living Adjustment] pay increase, so someone may be thinking that the increase in the monthly paycheck was just the COLA increase,' Clark told Military Times. Certain beneficiaries pay for Tricare Prime, Tricare Select, Tricare Young Adult, Tricare Reserve Select and Tricare Retired Reserve plans. Clark pays for Tricare Prime coverage. The problem came about during the Jan. 1 transition of Tricare West Region beneficiaries from the previous contractor, Health Net Federal Services, to the new one, TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Tricare officials repeatedly assured West Region beneficiaries who make recurring payments by allotment that their information would be transferred automatically. That wasn't true for Clark. Clark's December pay statement showed his allotment to Tricare was stopped. During calls to Tricare and DFAS, they 'assured me that I didn't have anything to worry about,' he said. As of March 7, the allotment has yet to be restarted. He has been making payments online to ensure he maintains coverage. 'I will pay month to month until I feel certain that DFAS won't start this allotment again,' Clark said. In a few months, he plans to set up auto pay using a credit card. Military's Tricare transition to TriWest a 'fiasco,' some say 'We certainly apologize for any inconvenience caused by any issue with payment,' officials with the Defense Health Agency said in an email response to questions. 'That said, this doesn't seem to be a widespread issue, but for anyone who may be having issues with their payment by allotment ... check with your respective managed care support contractor.' The contractors are TriWest Healthcare Alliance in the West Region and Humana Military in the East Region. Information wasn't available from TriWest officials regarding the allotments, and DFAS officials referred the questions to Tricare. Military Times heard from other beneficiaries who faced a problem with their Tricare payments that differed from Clark's. They previously made Tricare payments by credit card and suddenly, allotments started coming out of their paychecks without prior notification — and without their authorization. These problems are aside from those experienced by beneficiaries who previously made their Tricare payments by electronic fund transfer, credit card or debit card. Those beneficiaries are required to set up their payments with TriWest because the sensitive financial information can't be transferred between the contractors. But many of those beneficiaries have encountered problems setting up their recurring payments. So, Tricare extended the deadline to March 31 for beneficiaries to input their recurring payment information. Those who miss this deadline will lose coverage back to Jan. 1, Tricare officials have warned. Beneficiaries looking to update TriWest with their payment information should visit The transition to the new contracts has been a troubled one for many military families and health care providers. Families have experienced difficulties with setting up their payments, finding in-network health care providers and getting referrals and authorizations processed. They've also endured long wait times with the TriWest call center. In the East Region, health care providers have faced problems with receiving reimbursements, putting some at risk of closing their doors. A number have dropped Tricare patients because of the lack of payments. Tricare, TriWest and Humana Military have taken some actions to start to address the issues.
