1) The delayed onset of the March-May rainfall has negatively impacted ground conditions over the Belg-producing areas of northern Ethiopia. Despite an increase in rain since mid-April, the accumulated rainfall has remained below-average. Limited rain is forecast over the area during the next outlook period, likely maintaining rainfall deficits.

2) Since the beginning of May, an intermittent but insufficient rain has increased rainfall deficits over parts of north central Nigeria. Scattered, moderate to heavy showers are forecast in the region during the next week; but they may not be enough to eliminate accumulated rainfall deficits.

Polio this week - As of 12 June 2013

• An emergency Horn of Africa polio outbreak meeting was held this week (9-10 June) in Cairo, Egypt, hosted by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO). Chaired by EMRO Regional Director Dr Ala Alwan, the meeting was attended by the Chair of the Horn of Africa Technical Advisory Group, as well as representatives from WHO headquarters (including Dr Bruce Aylward, Assistant Director-General for Polio, Emergencies and Country Collaboration), EMRO, and country office teams from Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Yemen.

• The meeting reviewed the current status and risks associated with the outbreak, as well as outbreak response activities and their expected impact and discussed strategies to further increasing support to countries and strengthening the outbreak response. More

Jeddah, KSA, 17.06.2013 – Two shiploads of 5500 and 5000 frozen carcasses of Hajj meat are expected to be distributed among the poor respectively in Guinea Conakry and Sierra Leone during this week under the supervision of IDB delegations. These shipments are part of the annual distribution plan of the Saudi Project for Utilization of Hajj Meat (Adahi) for the Hajj Season 2012 which is an environment-friendly project managed by the IDB on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since 1983.

The project during 2012 has so far distributed 993000 frozen carcasses of live-stock in Saudi Arabia as well as 24 other countries in Asia and Africa via land and sea.

On the occasion, IDB Group Chairman, Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, expressed gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Crown Prince and the government and people of Saudi Arabia for the unlimited support rendered to the project.

Vienna, Austria, June 17, 2013. The Governing Board of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), meeting in its 143rd Session on June 13, has approved 17 loans and grants totaling over US$234 million to boost socio-economic development in over 44 partner countries. The majority of the public sector funding will co-finance transportation, energy and water supply and sanitation projects.

The approved public sector loans are as follows:

Burkina Faso

The New Ouagadougou Donsin International Airport. To enhance the safety and efficiency of air travel and help promote tourism, which will have a significant impact on the country’s economy. The project will promote the creation of jobs both during and after the project’s implementation.

US$ 24.0 million

Cuba Guantanamo City Water and Sanitation System Rehabilitation. To enhance access to safe drinking water and sanitation services through the rehabilitation and expansion of related infrastructure.

US$20.0 million

Egypt

South Helwan Power Plant. To improve the delivery of electricity through the expansion of the Helwan power plant. This will benefit households, agricultural workers, businesses and industries, and in turn, help create jobs and boost the economy.

US$70.0 million

Ghana

Colleges of Education. To construct, rehabilitate and equip/furnish 14 teacher training colleges across the country. When completed, the facilities will enable approximately 3,000 more enrolments, thus helping build the country’s human resource base.

US$10.0 million

Honduras

Central District (Tegucigalpa-Comayagüela) Public Transport. To build bus rapid transit corridors and related infrastructure, benefiting around 80,000 passengers per day from improved access to social and economic services.

US$8.0 million

Jamaica

Kingston Metropolitan Area Water Supply Improvements. To raise the efficiency, quality and sustainability of water supply and sanitation services and increase access to water supplies in rural areas, thus improving health and living conditions.

US$48.0 million

Kosovo

Upgrading of the Milloshevë – Mitrovica M2 Main Road. To upgrade a 26.7 km road that will facilitate the local population’s access to health, education, social amenities and production centers, as well as job opportunities.

US$20.0 million

Malawi

Liwonde Naminga Road (supplementary loan). To complete the upgrading of a road that serves nearly two million people. This will enable the year-round transportation of people and goods and help promote trade opportunities.

US$6.0 million

Pakistan

Promotion of Rainwater Harvesting in the Earthquake Affected Areas (Phase II). To improve the health and living conditions of approximately 230,000 people by providing sustainable access to potable water supplies.

US$5.0 million

Sri Lanka

Western Province Road Development. To upgrade 27 km of roads to improve the population’s access to health, education and other social services and lower the cost of transporting agricultural produce and other goods.

US$17.0 million

Total US$228.0 million

Seven grants totaling just over US$6.4 million were also approved at the meeting in support of the following projects/programs:

· UNESCO. US$1.2 m. To support the solar electrification of rural schools in Benin, Madagascar, Mauritania, Niger and Togo, directly benefitting nearly 16,000 children attending 75 schools.

· CGIAR. US$1.3 m. To support 10 programs at eight CGIAR-sponsored agricultural centers. Activities will be carried out in 25 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

· Assistance to Social and Development Projects in Palestine. US$1 m. To support nine NGOs and other entities that are providing assistance to deprived communities in Palestine. Over 20,000 people are expected to benefit from the wide-range of projects.

· Patient’s Friends Society of Hebron. US$1 m. To equip an “OFID surgical department” at the Al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron. Around 8,000 patients will directly benefit from the new medical services that will be available.

· UN Habitat Global Water Operators’ Partnership Alliance. US$1 m. To help fund a one-year project to support public water and sanitation operators in Ethiopia, Guinea, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, Togo and Zambia.

· World Vision Austria. US$600,000. To improve primary school enrolment and quality of education in the Kono and Bonthe districts of Sierra Leone through the furnishing and rehabilitation of 10 schools, construction of six new ones and provision of teacher training, benefiting nearly 2,000 children.

· International Partnership for Microbicides. US$300,000. To implement an access strategy to ensure the availability of microbicide products for girls and women for protecting against HIV/AIDS in areas of highest need in Kenya, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

In addition to the public sector projects approved at the meeting, four financing facilities for a total of US$55 million were approved under OFID’s private sector lending window. These will support the agriculture sector in Paraguay and promote wind energy in Jordan. They will also help financial institutions in Nicaragua and Ghana expand their financing services for low and middle income housing and increase on-lending to growth sectors such as mining, oil and gas, energy and telecommunications.

Under OFID’s Trade Finance Facility, three financing facilities for a total of US$45 million were approved that will support the import and export of strategic commodities in Ghana, Turkey and Uganda and enhance access to trade financing to small and medium-sized enterprises in these countries.

Since its inception, OFID has committed over US$15.4 billion in much-needed concessional development financing to 134 developing countries around the world, with priority given to the poorest amongst them.

Twenty-one million children in school thanks to efforts

NEW YORK, 17 June 2013 – UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Peter Krämer Foundation today kicked off a new fundraising drive to raise US$80 million to help Africa’s girls, orphans, children living in extreme poverty and other vulnerable children go to school and get a quality education.

The partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New York, to expand Schools for Africa which has, to date, helped benefit 21 million children. The new phase aims to raise US$80 million between 2014 – 2017 to help the most vulnerable children in Angola, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

“School attendance and quality learning remain a challenge for millions of children in Africa who live in communities where schools have difficulties in improving learning,” said Dr. Nicholas Alipui, UNICEF Director of Programmes. “In addition, these children must cope with such daily hardships as poverty and the need to work. The partnership focuses on the most marginalized, giving millions a chance for a better life.”

When it started in 2004, Schools for Africa aimed to raise US$50 million by 2008 to help over four million children in six countries. It reached its goal one year early. In the second phase, 2010 - 2013, the initiative added five more countries. So far, Schools for Africa has raised more than US$164 million for education programmes. Building on its success, Phase III, launched today, added two more countries --Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone.

“Nelson Mandela believes that education is the strongest weapon available to change any society for the better,” said Mr. Sello Hatang, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. “This next milestone of Schools for Africa brings his dream of education for all closer.”

The initiative has helped rebuild schools, provide safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, immunization and health checks for children, school meals and train teachers in some of the most remote areas. The initiative also supports the work of the Nelson Mandela Institute (NMI) in Eastern Cape which aims to improve access to quality education in rural areas through research, teacher and leadership development, community mobilization and through building strong and lasting public institutions.

The NMI introduced Magic Classrooms - an innovative approach intended to create an environment that makes learning and teaching fun. There are now more than 70 vibrant and colourful Magic Classrooms for children between 6 and 9 years of age in Qunu, Mqanduli and Bizana in Eastern Cape.

The need for funding is crucial because, despite the significant progress in education over the past decade, according to data released last week by the Education for All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report, of the 57 million children primary-school-age out of school in 2011, almost 30 million were in sub-Saharan Africa. The region also has the highest out-of-school rate of all regions. More than one in five primary school-age children have either never attended school or left before completing the last grade of primary education.

“When all children have access to a quality education rooted in human rights and gender equality, it creates a ripple effect of opportunity that influences generations to come,” said Mr. Peter Krämer, Chairperson of the Peter Krämer Foundation, partner and key donor of the initiative.

The signing of the MoU further strengthens the existing and continued partnership and support from major individual, corporate and foundation donors such as, Gucci, IKEA Foundation, Montblanc, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and many others.

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*About UNICEF**

UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org

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For further information, please contact:

Anna Kowsar, UNICEF Geneva, Tel: + 41 22 909 5325, akowsar@unicef.org

Shimali Senanayake, UNICEF New York, Tel: + 1 917 265 4516, ssenanayake@unicef.org

Good seasonal progression in the Bi-modal and Guinean - Sudanian zones

KEY MESSAGES

• Normal to above - normal rainfall levels fell over the southwestern corner of the region (Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Guinea Bissau), marking a timely onset of the rains in this part of West Africa .

• Above - average rainfall levels fell over most of the bi-modal zone in May, ending a dry spell that had been affecting the western part of the zone during the second half of April. Good soil moisture conditions are improving the development of crops in this region.

• The month of May was marked by slightly to moderately below - average rainfall levels a cross northern Nigeria. However so far, this is not expected to negatively impact harvests that normally begin in October .

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Is there a gender difference in the cholera disease burden in Sierra Leone?

At the national aggregate level, there is not a gender difference in the cholera burden, at least not of any significance. But when regional contexts and life stages are taken into account, there does appear to be distinct gendered patterns in the burden. According to the Directorate of Disease Prevention and Control‟s national database in 2012, 53 per cent of cholera cases are female and 48 per cent are male; as 51 per cent of Sierra Leone‟s population is female, the difference is only marginal. It has not been possible to test for statistical significance.

Regional disaggregation, however, reveals a higher frequency of male cases in Freetown and Kono District and higher frequencies of female cases in primarily agricultural districts, suggesting a more complex association between gender and livelihood zones and the vulnerability to cholera.

Analysing cholera by age and gender in Freetown and the Western Area reveals that although prevalence is higher in men overall, the highest number of cases fall within the 15 to 24 age group, and of these, most are female. More in-depth analysis of the data is required.

What accounts for gendered patterns in the data?

In a society that adheres to strict gender roles in the domestic, productive, and community settings, cholera transmission routes are more likely to be sex and age-specific.

There is a higher prevalence of female cholera cases in the rural, agricultural areas of Sierra Leone. The caretaking role of women and girls can expose them to sources of contamination in the household, particularly when caring for children and the sick. The predominance of women as rural petty traders, who travel to weekly luma markets in commercial centres (held for surrounding and remote villages), further increases their vulnerability to contracting cholera.

During the day, most of the men in Freetown are away from the domestic setting and are working, seeking work, or socializing. As a result they often eat and drink from locations which lack basic hygiene facilities, resulting in an increased risk of exposure to cholera; this is the likely explanation for the higher prevalence of the disease in males in the city (specifically in those aged 25 or over)

The prevalence of cholera among youth aged 15 to 24 in Freetown reflects the demographics in the city. Within this age group, there are more women than men, which may be why there is a higher prevalence of female cases, however this may also be associated with their increased vulnerability from caring for babies and children. Sierra Leone has high rates of early childbearing. In urban areas, a greater use of family planning among women in their 30s and 40s means they are less likely to be caring for small babies than in the rural areas. Women and girls with unstable socio-economic circumstances face the challenge of caring for small babies while working, for instance mobile traders who carry babies on their backs, with limited access to hygiene facilities.

• Abnormal dryness has settled in across western Mali.
• A slight reduction in rainfall observed over Ethiopia.

1) The delayed onset of the March-May rainfall has negatively impacted ground conditions over the Belg-producing areas of northern Ethiopia. Despite an increase in rain since mid-April, the accumulated rainfall has remained below-average. Limited rain is forecast over the area during the next outlook period, likely maintaining rainfall deficits.

2) Since the beginning of May, an intermittent but insufficient rain has increased rainfall deficits over parts of north central Nigeria. Scattered, moderate to heavy showers are forecast in the region during the next week; but they may not be enough to eliminate accumulated rainfall deficits.

3) Below-average rain since the beginning of the season has begun to negatively impact cropping activities over parts of western Mali. Rainfall forecasts suggest moderate to heavy showers over the southern of Mali, while little to no rain is expected farther west during the next outlook period. This could potentially increase rainfall deficits in the region.

West Africa can be divided into three agro-ecological zones or three different trade basins (West Basin, Central Basin and East Basin). Both important for understanding market behavior and dynamics.

The three major agro-ecological zones are the Sahelian, the Sudanese and the Coastal zones where production and consumption can be easily classified. (1) In the Sahelian zone, millet is the principal cereal cultivated and consumed particularly in rural areas and increasingly, when accessible, in urban areas. Exceptions include Cape Verde where maize and rice are most important, Mauritania where sorghum and maize are staples, and Senegal with rice. The principal substitutes in the Sahel are sorghum, rice, and cassava flour (Gari), the latter two in times of shortage. (2) In the Sudanese zone (southern Chad, central Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, southern Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Serra Leone, Liberia) maize and sorghum constitute the principal cereals consumed by the majority of the population. They are followed by rice and tubers, particularly cassava and yam. (3) In the Coastal zone, with two rainy seasons, yam and maize constitute the most important food products. They are supplemented by cowpea, which is a significant source of protein.

The three trade basins are known as the West, Central, and East basins. In addition to the north to south movement of particular commodities, certain cereals flow horizontally. (1) The West basin refers to Mauritania, Senegal, western Mali, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and The Gambia where rice is most heavily traded. (2) The Central basin consists of Côte d'Ivoire, central and eastern Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Togo where maize is commonly traded. (3) The East basin refers to Niger, Nigeria, Chad, and Benin where millet is traded most frequently. These three trade basins are shown on the map above.

New research commissioned by AusAID highlights the urgent need for increased action to prevent sexual violence during conflict and after crises. Hundreds of thousands of women are affected by sexual violence during conflict, and many more are at risk.

The research reviewed 40 studies from across 26 countries and draws together evidence on how to respond to and prevent sexual violence against women during conflict, after conflict and in other humanitarian crises. The findings from the Systematic Review on Sexual Violence in Conflict come just ahead of Australia’s participation in the United Nations Security Council open debate on sexual violence in conflict in New York on 24 June. This meeting, to be chaired by UK Foreign Minister Hague, will focus on how the international community can work more effectively to prevent sexual violence in conflict.

According to the United Nations, hundreds of thousands of women were raped during the Rwanda genocide, as many as 64,000 internally displaced women experienced sexual violence by armed combatants during the conflict in Sierra Leone and between 20,000 and 50,000 women were raped in the Herzegovina war.

The Review identified several innovative practices that can be used in future interventions to address sexual violence in conflict. For example, in Uganda, traditional rituals have been included in rehabilitation programs for adolescents who were both survivors and perpetrators of atrocities during conflict. Similarly, three studies described how firewood distribution, patrols and alternative fuels reduced opportunistic sexual violence in refugee camps by minimising women’s need to leave camps to gather firewood. In addition to the distribution of firewood, portable fuel-efficient stoves, support for the construction of solar cookers and firewood patrols were used in two Kenyan refugee camps as well as a refugee camp in Darfur.

Importantly, the Systematic Review noted that strategies of anonymity for survivors of sexual violence increased the use of support services and diminished social stigmas. Interventions examined in the Congo have provided increased anonymity through the use of well-trained specialist providers and locating the services within hospitals, rather than as stand-alone easily identifiable services.

The debate at the UN on 24 June will focus on effective justice for crimes of sexual violence in conflict. The Australian aid program is working with the international community to support programs that help prevent and respond to sexual violence in conflict; and to increase the evidence base on what works.

This AusAID funded research is part of Australia’s broader support for international efforts to prevent and respond to sexual violence in conflict. The Systematic Review titled 'What is the evidence of the impact of initiatives to reduce risk and incidence of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict zones and other humanitarian crises in lower- and middle-income countries?' will be a useful resource for future interventions to address sexual violence in conflict.

L'Afrique de l’Ouest peut être divisée en trois zones agro-écologiques ou en trois bassins commerciaux (bassins de l’ouest, bassin du centre, bassin de l’est). Les deux sont importants pour l'interprétation du comportement et de la dynamique du marché.

Les trois principales zones agro-écologiques incluent la zone Sahélienne, la zone Soudanaise et la zone Côtière où la production et la consommation peuvent être facilement classifiées. (1) Dans la zone Sahélienne, le mil constitue le principal produit alimentaire cultivé et consommé en particulier dans les zones rurales et de plus en plus par certaines populations qui y ont accès en milieux urbains. Des exceptions sont faites pour le Cap Vert où le maïs et le riz sont les produits les plus importants, la Mauritanie où le blé et le sorgho et le Sénégal où le riz constituent des aliments de base. Les principaux produits de substitution dans le Sahel sont le sorgho, le riz, et la farine de manioc (Gari), avec les deux derniers en période de crise. (2) Dans la zone Soudanienne (le sud du Tchad, le centre du Nigéria, du Bénin, du Ghana, du Togo, de la Côte d'Ivoire, le sud du Burkina Faso, du Mali, du Sénégal, la Guinée Bissau, la Serra Leone, le Libéria) le maïs et le sorgho constituent les principales céréales consommées par la majorité de la population. Suivent après le riz et les tubercules particulièrement le manioc et l’igname. (3) Dans la zone côtière, avec deux saisons de pluie, l’igname et le maïs constituent les principaux produits alimentaires. Ils sont complétés par le niébé, qui est une source très significative de protéines.

Les trois bassins commerciaux sont simplement connus sous les noms de bassin Ouest, Centre, et Est. En plus du mouvement du sud vers le nord des produits, les flux de certaines céréales se font aussi horizontalement. (1) Le bassin Ouest comprend la Mauritanie, le Sénégal, l’ouest du Mali, la Sierra Leone, la Guinée, le Libéria, et la Gambie où le riz est le plus commercialisé.

(2) Le bassin central se compose de la Côte d'Ivoire, le centre et l’est du Mali, le Burkina Faso, le Ghana, et le Togo où le maïs est généralement commercialisé. (3) Le bassin Est se rapporte au Niger, Nigéria, Tchad, et Bénin où le millet est le plus fréquemment commercialisé. Ces trois bassins commerciaux sont distingués sur la carte ci-dessus.

06/21/2013 18:12 GMT

FREETOWN, June 21, 2013 (AFP) - Sierra Leone has been granted more than $5 million towards its vaccination programme, the government said Friday, just months after the aid was frozen when $1 million in donations went missing.

The Geneva-based Global Alliance for Vaccine Immunisation (GAVI) approved the $5.4 million grant after being satisfied that the impoverished west African nation was cracking down on corruption, the health ministry said.

Health Minister Miatta Kargbo said his department had "turned a new page in its relationship with GAVI".

"We requested $3.7 million to implement the programme but based on the reforms we have undertaken, our partners decided to increase it to $5.4 million.

"The ministry will continue to redefine itself on the basis of transparency, accountability and good governance."

GAVI halted its aid late last year after an internal audit showed that $1,099,640 (750,000 euros) in funds it had granted Sierra Leone had disappeared.

The country's anti-corruption commission said in March 29 officials, including six doctors, were being prosecuted for misuse of the missing funds.

The allegations include "undocumented expenses, cash disbursements from bank accounts without documentation and overcharged procurement costs relating to the purchase of ambulances," according to the commission.

According to World Health Organisation statistics, GAVI assistance to Sierra Leone since 2000 has totalled over $24 million for the purchase of vaccines such as the five-in-one shot which protects children against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B and Hib (Haemophilus influenzae).

rmj/ft/bm

© 1994-2013 Agence France-Presse

The 'Schools for Africa' initiative launches its third phase at UNICEF headquarters in New York.

By Malli Kamimura

NEW YORK, United States of America, 21 June 2013 – The third phase of the Schools for Africa partnership launched on Monday at UNICEF headquarters in New York. UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Peter Krämer Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding to expand the initiative and provide more girls and boys with a chance for a better future.

Education is the key to a better world, says Christian Krämer of the Peter Krämer Foundation, discussing the Schools for Africa Initiative.

The new phase aims to raise US$80 million between 2014 and 2017 to help the most vulnerable children in Angola, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The programme began in 2004 supporting six countries and expanded to 11 countries in 2009. This recent launch adds Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, making a total of 13 countries.

In her opening remarks, UNICEF Director of Private Fundraising and Partnerships Leila Pakkala described the expansion of the programme as “a new chapter of even better things that are going to come to the children of Africa”.

According to UNICEF Director of Programmes Dr. Nicholas Alipui, the Schools for Africa initiative is “the spirit of partnership and synergy that lies at the very heart of the initiative”. It has so far benefited more than 21 million children.
Christian Krämer, son of co-founder Peter Krämer and a recent member of the Peter Krämer Foundation and the Hamburg Society for Promotion of Democracy and International Law, spoke on his father’s behalf and expressed his gratitude to Nelson Mandela and to UNICEF for “building the schools and ensuring that children are receiving a good education”.

Education is a critical pillar of Nelson Mandela’s legacy, says Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation Sello Hatang, talking about the success of the Schools for Africa Initiative.

Education: Equity, learning and innovation

“To say that education is one Madiba’s passions would risk one being accused of not exaggerating enough,” said Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Sello Hatang, who conveyed Mr. Mandela’s passion of giving every child a quality education. Quoting Mr. Mandela during the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union Congress in 2001, Mr. Hatang said, “Our continent is unfortunately still too much plagued by wars, violent conflicts and instability. In these conditions of instability, ordinary citizens, who have no desire for or part in these conflicts, are the ones that suffer most. Most of them only ask for the opportunity to lead lives of dignity and decency, the central part of which is to provide education for their children.”

Speakers noted the ability of the partnership to move beyond focusing only on school construction to identifying communities’ need for access to quality education. The evolution of child-friendly schools and current efforts in assessing learning outcomes were highlighted as good practice. In addition, early childhood education, education in emergencies and innovative approaches have allowed for better quality education and learning.

Partners unite

Participants from the private sector, including the IKEA Foundation, Montblanc, Starwood Hotels, along with UNICEF National Committee colleagues, shared their thoughts on what motivated them to support the Schools for Africa partnership. Their experiences echoed the success of the partnership and highlighted the importance of sustainable solutions and continued support for the best possible outcomes for children.

The meeting concluded on a positive note and was best captured by the words of Peter Krämer through his son, Christian. “We want to urge the United Nations and the individual governments of each country to fulfill the firm promise from August 2000 that every child in the world has the right and the possibility to go to school,” said Christian Krämer. And to the young people around the globe, he promised, “We have to help and…to serve you, because you, the young people, are the future not only of your continent, but of our entire world.”

Cholera: Situation in the WHO African Region, as of 03 June 2013

HIGHLIGHTS

• Negative regional impact of Nigeria production shortfall

• Admission trends for acute malnutrition remain high

• Over 50,000 Chadian returnees and refugees from Sudan in Tissi (Chad)

• A total of 20,556 cases of cholera recorded in West and Central Africa

• Locusts have infested a wide portion of western Madagascar, threatening the livelihoods of millions of people.
• Reduced rain was observed along the Gulf of Guinea, while heavy rain fell over South Sudan during the past week.

1) Since the beginning of May, intermittent and insufficient rains have increased rainfall deficits over parts of north central Nigeria. Scattered, moderate to heavy showers are forecast over the region during the next outlook period; but they may not be sufficient to fully overcome accumulated deficits.

2) Below-average rain since the beginning of the season has delayed planting over parts of western Mali. An increase in rain is expected during the next week; however the forecast amounts may not compensate for the seasonal deficits.

3) The landfall of Tropical Cyclone HARUNA in February has provided favorable conditions for locust breeding in southwestern Madagascar. Recent assessments have reported rice and maize crop losses averaging 40 – 70 percent in the southwest and 100 percent over localized areas. Locusts could infest expansive areas over two-thirds of the country by September, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

13 June 2013
Contact:
Trina Stout, 206-948-8847
trina.stout@gmmb.com
www.sightandlife.org

‘Hidden Hunger Index’ Identifies Global Hot Spots of Micronutrient Deficiencies for First Time

New Findings Can Guide Implementation of Recent Lancet Series’ Recommendations to Advance Development through Improved Nutrition

BASEL, SWITZERLAND —A first-of-its-kind global map and indices of micronutrient deficiencies—a public health problem that affects two billion people worldwide and seriously hinders economic development—found that hidden hunger hot spots are in sub-Saharan Africa, India and Afghanistan, and are severe in many countries in South-Central/South-East Asia. Published this week in the journal PLOS ONE and developed by humanitarian nutrition think tank, Sight and Life, these ‘Hidden Hunger Index’ maps and rankings offer the health and development community an evidence-based tool to target the alleviation of multiple micronutrient deficiencies, which is critical to achieving many of the Millennium Development Goals.

“Hidden hunger, a chronic lack of micronutrients, robs individuals of their potential by negatively—and permanently—affecting their physical and mental development. To tackle this grave problem, we need to know where the burden is highest. Now, for the first time, we do. My hope is that this new Hidden Hunger Index will serve as a useful advocacy tool in policy decisions to spur the scale-up of proven nutrition interventions like food fortification and multiple micronutrient supplementation,” said Klaus Kraemer, Ph.D., director of Sight and Life and corresponding author of the paper, “The Global Hidden Hunger Indices and Maps: An Advocacy Tool for Action.”

Hidden hunger accounts for approximately seven percent of the global disease burden. Iron deficiency anemia, zinc and vitamin A deficiencies rank among the 15 leading causes of disease burden, costing 180 billion USD annually. The Hidden Hunger Index maps, for the first time, show the combined prevalence in preschool children of multiple micronutrient deficiencies: vitamin A, zinc and iron, as well as iodine.

The paper found that there were global hot spots of hidden hunger, with the prevalence alarmingly high in sub-Saharan Africa as well as India and Afghanistan, and severe in many countries in South-Central/South-East Asia. For children in most of the 20 countries with the highest Hidden Hunger Index scores, more than 40 percent were estimated to be stunted/zinc-deficient, 30 percent were anemic due to iron deficiency and half were vitamin A deficient. In 36 countries, home to 90 percent of the world’s stunted children, micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin A and zinc, were responsible for up to 12 percent of the total number of life years lost due to ill-health, disability or early death.

Co-author Robert E. Black, MD, who was also the lead author for the recently published Lancet Maternal and Child Nutrition Series, added, “ The Lancet Series called for better data on micronutrient deficiencies at the national level to guide intervention programs in countries and priorities for support globally. By highlighting hidden hunger hot spots, these Hidden Hunger Index maps and rankings help address this unmet need, and are critical to helping countries and partners prioritize where to implement crucial nutrition solutions.”

Sight and Life developed the Hidden Hunger Index with the input of high-level scientists, academics and decision makers from a range of global institutions, including UN agencies, U.S. government agencies, universities and international NGOs.

The full paper with maps and indices can be viewed at http://bit.ly/hiddenhunger13 .

About Sight and Life
Sight and Life is a nutrition think tank and humanitarian initiative of DSM that cares about the world’s most vulnerable populations, and exists to help improve their nutritional status.
Sight and Life promotes research, shares best practices and mobilizes support for the world’s undernourished. Sight and Life and DSM are currently leading Vitamins in Motion , an initiative to advance worldwide health and economic development through increased access to the essential vitamins all people need to be healthy and well-nourished.

www.sightandlife.org
www.vitaminsinmotion.com

Headline results

By 2012–13, DFID had achieved the following results*:

■ enabled 30.3 million people, including at least 14.6 million women, to work their way out of poverty by providing access to financial services
■ given 19.6 million people access to clean water, better sanitation or improved hygiene conditions
■ prevented 12.9 million children and pregnant women from going hungry
■ ensured that 1.6 million births took place safely
■ reached 8.7 million people with emergency food assistance
■ supported 5.9 million children – 2.8 million girls – to go to primary school
■ improved the land and property rights of 3.8 million people
■ helped 33.4 million people to hold their authorities to account and have a say in their community’s development

In 2012, the multilateral organisations that DFID supported:

■ provided food assistance to 97.2 million people in 80 countries (World Food Programme)
■ immunised 46 million children against preventable diseases (GAVI Alliance)
■ detected and treated 1.1 million cases of tuberculosis (The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria)
■ gave 2.5 million new households a water supply (Asian Development Bank)
■ provided 122 million people with humanitarian assistance (Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department of the European Commission – ECHO)

Ceci est un résumé des déclarations du porte-parole du HCR Adrian Edwards – à qui toute citation peut être attribuée – lors de la conférence de presse du 28 juin 2013 au Palais des Nations à Genève.

En octobre 2009, le HCR avait annoncé une stratégie visant à mettre fin à la situation des réfugiés rwandais qui avaient fui leur pays avant le 31 décembre 1998. Cette stratégie comprend quatre volets : le rapatriement volontaire, l'intégration locale, le maintien du statut de réfugié pour les personnes qui ont encore besoin d'une protection internationale et enfin l'invocation de cette clause de cessation.

Les clauses de cessation sont prévues dans la Convention de 1951 relative au statut des réfugiés et dans la Convention de 1969 de l'Organisation de l'unité africaine (OUA) régissant les aspects propres aux problèmes des réfugiés en Afrique. Elles définissent la cessation du statut de réfugié une fois que des changements fondamentaux et durables sont observés dans le pays d'origine et que les circonstances ayant poussé à la fuite en exil n'existent plus. Dans le cas du Rwanda, le HCR a recommandé que la cessation prenne effet au 30 juin 2013.

Les principaux pays d'asile qui hébergent des réfugiés rwandais, ainsi que le Rwanda lui-même, mettent en œuvre la stratégie. Selon la réunion ministérielle du 18 avril 2013 à Pretoria, ils ont convenu d'appliquer la cessation à différents niveaux.

Cela signifie que certains Etats procèdent à la mise en application de la cessation du statut de réfugié alors que d'autres, compte tenu de contraintes nationales aux niveaux juridique et pratique, préfèrent d'abord mettre en œuvre les autres composantes de la stratégie. Tous se fondent sur les composantes respectives de cette stratégie, y compris l'intégration locale – en l'accordant aux réfugiés rwandais qui pourraient avoir droit à un autre statut juridique, dont la perspective d'une naturalisation.

Le HCR travaille très étroitement avec tous les Gouvernements et d'autres parties concernées, y compris les réfugiés eux-mêmes, sur la mise en œuvre des différents aspects de la stratégie après le 30 juin 2013.

Plus de 3,5 millions de Rwandais sont devenus des réfugiés suite au génocide de 1994 et aux affrontements armés dans le nord-ouest du Rwanda en 1997 et 1998 – la dernière fois que le pays a été le théâtre d'une violence généralisée. Tous – sauf environ 100 000 personnes – sont depuis rentrés dans leur pays, du fait de la paix et de la stabilité durables dans leur pays.

Les 100 000 réfugiés restants sont hébergés principalement au Burundi, en République démocratique du Congo, au Kenya, au Malawi, au Mozambique, au Congo, en Afrique du Sud, en Ouganda, en Zambie et au Zimbabwe.

Conformément à son mandat, le HCR travaille pour résoudre des situations de réfugiés prolongées en Afrique. La cessation du statut de réfugié pour les réfugiés de Sierra Leone a pris effet en 2008, et le 30 juin 2012 pour les réfugiés angolais et libériens.

Minimal food insecurity continues through September

KEY MESSAGES

• Average to above average food stocks at the household level continue to allow good access to basic food needs and will likely delay the start of the lean season by a month, until July.

• Poor, market-dependent households will continue to engage in normal seasonal livelihood strategies and will be able to access their minimum food needs through September.