In Malawi, undernutrition is a serious problem and a major contributor to the country’s other poor health statistics, including rates of maternal mortality, infant mortality, and stunting and anemia in children.

One of the barriers to good nutrition starts before any crops can be grown or harvested.

High-quality seeds that farmers can use to grow enough healthy, nutritious crops are in short supply year after year, leaving farm associations, unions and extension agents without the inputs they need to help ensure a good harvest.

A Feed the Future project focused on integrating nutrition into local value chains has partnered with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to help address this problem by developing a new and higher-performing soybean variety called “Tikolore,” which means “let us harvest” in the local language. Soybean plants grown from Tikolore seeds mature more quickly, yield more beans, are resistant to a disease known as “soybean rust” and can be stored for longer periods of time compared to other soybean varieties. Since soybeans are high in protein and other nutrients, improving the performance and availability of soybean crops is one step toward fighting stunting among children under five years of age in Malawi.

Since Tikolore was officially released in Malawi in 2011, Feed the Future has been working to get the new seed variety into the hands of more farmers and their families. In partnership with the Clinton Development Initiative, Feed the Future and IITA supported the multiplication of Tikolore soybeans at Mpherero Anchor Farm, an experimental farm near the Zambian border.

Once harvested, these seeds will establish the foundation for a new Soybean Seed Revolving Fund, aimed at improving seed availability in Malawi. The fund will enable farmers to store improved seed supplies and sell them when prices are advantageous, rather than having to sell or dispose of them immediately after harvest when prices are low. This arrangement will both boost farmer incomes and help disseminate the superior soybean variety in Malawi so that it can be sold and consumed more widely.

The revolving fund was recently launched at Mpherero Anchor Farm during a field visit attended by stakeholders from all across Malawi's soybean value chain. Smallholder seed producers, private seed companies, farmer organizations, agricultural extension officers and development practitioners all gathered to learn about the properties and best practices for growing Tikolore from the farm managers, who are producing the basic seeds, and IITA, which bred the original variety.

By connecting smallholder farmers with the private sector seed companies who have the capacity to produce certified Tikolore seeds at scale, Feed the Future expects to see this improved variety reach farmers across Malawi within the next six months to a year. Demand for soybeans in Malawi is rising fast, and the current crop of basic Tikolore seed is expected to add at least 32,000 tons of soybean grains to the market in the coming seasons. This supply increase will not only improve availability of soybeans for private sector manufacturers, but also ease the demand for imported soybeans once Malawians are able to more easily grow and purchase this nutritious crop domestically.

Mali – Cette semaine, le Directeur général de la DG Aide humanitaire et protection civile de la Communauté européenne (ECHO), Claus Sorensen, a rencontré des Maliens déplacés à l’intérieur de leur pays qui ont été repérés grâce au projet de l’OIM, financé par ECHO, qui permet de suivre les déplacements dans ce pays d’Afrique occidentale touché par le conflit.

Aujourd’hui, des milliers de personnes sont toujours déplacées à l’intérieur du Mali, depuis l’occupation du nord du pays par les rebelles islamistes, au début de 2012, et, par la suite, l’intervention militaire des troupes maliennes et françaises.

La Commission Mouvement de population (CMP), un organisme national de surveillance des personnes déplacées à l’intérieur de leur pays placé sous la direction de l’OIM, estime que depuis mars 2012, le conflit a provoqué le déplacement de plus de 282 000 personnes dans tout le pays.

Selon des observateurs humanitaires, la situation ne permet pas encore le retour sûr et la réintégration de ces personnes dans les régions du nord.

« A cause du caractère prolongé des déplacements et de l’incertitude quant aux retours, les organisations humanitaires doivent continuer à fournir une aide vitale à ces personnes, sous la forme de nourriture, d’abris, de services de santé de base et de protection », déclare Judy Dacruz, Chef de mission de l’OIM Mali.

L’OIM Mali mène une vaste opération de suivi et de surveillance des personnes déplacées à l’intérieur de leur pays. Elle offre également aux plus vulnérables des services de santé de base, un soutien psychosocial, des abris et des articles de secours non alimentaires essentiels.

ECHO a fait don d’1 million d’euros à l’OIM pour son programme d’intervention d’urgence au Mali.

Pour plus d’informations, prière de contacter

Judy Dacruz
l’OIM Mali
Courriel : jdacruz@iom.int
Tél. : +223 90500001

La cinquantaine, Mossa Al mouamar Ali, dit Moussa Moussa, arbore fièrement son boubou traditionnel cousu à la main par les couturiers de Tombouctou, dont la région est marquée aujourd’hui par une situation sécuritaire précaire.

Comme son père et son grand-père, Moussa Moussa est chef des griots de la région, conteurs d’histoires et dépositaires des traditions orales du Mali.

« Nous jouons notre rôle de griot dans le respect des règles que nous ont léguées nos ancêtres, » dit-il. « Par exemple lorsqu’il y a une querelle entre un mari et sa femme, nous intervenons et nous les réconcilions, si deux villages sont en conflit nous amenons la paix entre eux. Lorsque des gens veulent prendre des décisions importantes, nous pouvons être consultés et nous savons donner notre avis sur les différentes questions. »

En effet au Mali, les griots occupent une place importante dans l’organisation sociale, mariage, naissances, funérailles sont autant d’occasions qu’ils animent et organisent.

« On a déjà fait appel à moi pour intervenir dans des conflits, souvent des problèmes de champs, de terre. Vous savez, certaines personnes étudient le journalisme, d’autres l’informatique nous, voilà ce que nous savons faire et c’est parce que c’est nous que ça marche » Conscientes de leur rôle crucial, les autorités maliennes ont décidé de les associer aux activités de sensibilisation et d’éducation citoyennes précédant le scrutin présidentiel de juillet 2013.

Le vote sera soutenu par un projet d’appui au processus électoral financé par le gouvernement et les différents partenaires du Mali et dont les fonds sont gérés par le Programme des Nations Unies pour le développement (PNUD). Les élections constitueront l’une des étapes clés d’un retour à la paix, la stabilité et le développement.
On estime que le coût des élections s’élèvera à 128 millions de dollars US, dont 50 millions seront financés par le gouvernement malien.

Le PNUD sera également chargé d’appuyer les différents organes de gestion des élections, dont le Ministère de l’Administration territoriale, la Délégation générale des élections et la Commission électorale nationale indépendante dans leur mission d’organisation du scrutin. Il apportera également son soutien logistique au vote et à la mobilisation des électeurs, tout en promouvant paix et dialogue parmi les parties prenantes.

Les griots prendront part à la sensibilisation au vote, conseillant les communautés sur le maintien de la paix et l’harmonie lors du scrutin. Ils activeront leur réseau (Réseau des Communicateurs traditionnels pour le développement –RECOTRADE-) lors de la période pré-électorale.

Le 24 avril, un atelier a été organisé par le PNUD pour informer les communicateurs traditionnels sur les enjeux de la prévention de conflits en période électorale et permettre les échanges sur leur contribution pour promotion de la paix et du dialogue. Tenu à Bamako, l’atelier a réuni 50 griots ainsi que partenaires nationaux et internationaux.

« Il faut dialoguer avec tout le monde, il ne faut exclure personne, ainsi on arrivera à un résultat, » assure Moussa Moussa.

Lors de l’événement, le Représentant résident du PNUD au Mali, Aurélien Agbénonci, a affirmé : « L’organisation des prochaines élections constitue une étape importante dans la résolution de la crise. Votre contribution sera importante pour la construction du futur de ce pays. »

« Nous voyons l’intérêt des peuples, ce que les pauvres gens veulent c’est avant tout la tranquillité, la paix, nous allons faire passer ce message de paix,» ajoute Moussa Moussa.

Dans le nord du Mali, ébranlé par le récent conflit, la situation se normalise petit à petit. La Croix-Rouge s’attache à restaurer l’accès aux soins et à l’eau des villageois de la région de Tombouctou, complètement coupés du monde il y a peu encore. Un projet dans lequel la CRS investit un million de CHF.

«A Goundam et dans les villages alentours, nous devons repartir de zéro. Pour les habitants, c’est un nouveau début, porteur de beaucoup d’espoirs», rapporte Sandra Aeschlimann, déléguée de la Croix-Rouge suisse (CRS) au Mali. Durant les troubles, une partie des dispensaires et des pompes à eau construits ces dernières années par la CRS ont fait l’objet de vols et de pillages, la majorité de la population a pris la fuite. Si la vie reprend aujourd’hui peu à peu son cours, la situation reste précaire dans cette région pauvre et aride. Avant la guerre, Goundam et les cinq villages alentours recensaient 34 000 habitants. A l’heure actuelle, on n’en compte plus que 16 000, mais il faut s’attendre à ce qu’une part importante de ces déplacés reviennent dans les prochains mois.

Le premier objectif est de remettre en fonctionnement la station de pompage centrale grâce à l’apport d’un nouveau générateur. La CRS fournira l’essence nécessaire à au moins trois mois d’exploitation. De plus, dix pompes solaires et à chaleur doivent être réparées dans les villages reculés. Afin que cet accès à l’eau soit garanti sur le long terme, il sera extrêmement important de travailler en étroite collaboration avec les autorités locales.

Dans le domaine de la santé, le programme de vaccination des enfants va être relancé pour lutter contre l’épidémie de rougeole. Cela implique un rétablissement de la chaîne du froid, articulée autour de réfrigérateurs solaires. Les bénévoles de la Croix-Rouge malienne distribueront à la population des médicaments et du chlore pour désinfecter l’eau. Ils mèneront en outre des campagnes visant à la prévention des maladies. Le dispensaire de Goundam, fortement endommagé, sera remis en état.

La population qui est restée dans la région tout au long des hostilités a vécu les derniers mois dans un isolement total, livrée entièrement à elle-même au milieu des pilleurs et des combattants. La Croix-Rouge est l’une des rares organisations à revenir dans le secteur de Goundam dans une optique de reconstruction et de rétablissement de l’accès aux soins et à l’eau sur le long terme. Son aide est plus qu’urgente.

The Caritas Annual Report shows our work in 2012 through five strategic priorities identified during the year: addressing poverty at home and abroad, responding to emergencies, upholding the dignity and rights of indigenous peoples, promoting environmental justice, and connecting effectively with our Catholic community.

Public donations topped $3 million last year, including a record Lent total of more than $900,000. We are grateful for the government’s New Zealand Aid Programme which contributed almost $1 million towards Caritas development and relief programmes.

These contributions helped support long-term development and emergency relief across Asia, Africa and the Pacific, including ongoing earthquake recovery in Christchurch. New partnerships for development were forged with two dioceses in the Solomon Islands.

Within New Zealand we continued to advocate for our most vulnerable citizens, such as beneficiaries, young workers and refugees. Our relationship with Te Rūnanga o te Hāhi Katorika (National Māori Catholic Council) and work on indigenous issues is developing, while our work promoting justice, peace and Catholic social teaching in Catholic schools continues to be well-received.

28.8 million internally displaced people worldwide in 2012, record high includes five-fold increase in Syria

GENEVA, 29 APRIL 2013: The number of people internally displaced by armed conflict, violence and human rights violations at the end of 2012 was 28.8 million, an increase of 2.4 million people on the previous year and the highest global figure ever reported by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC).

Over 6.5 million people were newly displaced inside their home countries in 2012, almost twice as many as the year before. Because these people have not crossed a border, they are not refugees and do not benefit from international protection.

‘‘Much of the spike in the number of internally displaced people worldwide was due to the 2.4 million people displaced by the crisis within Syria by the end of 2012,’’ said Kate Halff, Director of IDMC. ‘‘Here, the acceleration of internal displacement is closely linked to the conflict, where one feeds the other, creating a ‘snowball effect’. In this context, internal displacement becomes a ‘moving target’ for those tasked with the response.”

Until the conflict in Syria is resolved, internal displacement will continue to accelerate. This phenomenon has been witnessed in other countries with protracted, on-going conflicts. These include Colombia, which continues to host the largest number if internally displaced people (IDPs) in the world, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has the third largest IDP population behind Syria.

With 10.4 million IDPs reported in sub-Saharan Africa, this region hosts almost a third of the world’s total. In DRC, 1 million were forced to flee their homes as a consequence of a major upsurge in violence in the eastern provinces. ‘‘Years of insecurity in DRC have depleted the coping ability of both IDPs and those who host them, having a profound and devastating impact on peoples’ lives,” says Halff. While DRC has the largest new displacement figures after Syria, a large portion of the 2.7 million IDPs are living in situations of protracted displacement.

The report suggests that while a resolution to the conflict, particularly in Syria, is critical to the stabilisation of the internal displacement crisis, it highlights the importance of bridging the gap between emergency response and development activities. “90% of the countries monitored by IDMC have IDPs living in protracted displacement, often for decades while second and third generations are born into displacement,’’ says Halff. ‘‘Governments are responsible for finding long-term solutions for their displaced citizens. However, they can only be realised when the governments and the international community recognise that people forced from their homes require not only a humanitarian response at the height of a crisis, but sustained engagement until a lasting solution is achieved.’’

Notes to the editor:

• 20% of the world’s internally displaced in 2012 were in the Middle East

• The region with the highest number of IDPs is Sub-Saharan Africa, at 10.4 million in 2012

• Colombia is the country with the largest population of IDPs, with estimates from the government and civil society ranging from 4.9-5.5 million

• With 28.8 million IDPs in 2012 as compared to 15.2 refugees (latest figure, 2011) there are roughly two IDPs for every refugee worldwide

• 2.1 million IDPs were reported to have returned home in 2012, including 1.3 million in Sub-Saharan Africa

• Over 90% of the countries monitored by IDMC have a population of IDPs living in protracted displacement

• In 2011 IDMC reported 26.4 million internally displaced worldwide

For more information, please contact:

Clare Spurrell, Head of Communications (IDMC)
E-Mail: clare.spurrell@nrc.ch
Mobile: +41 (0)79 379 89 52

Julia Blocher, Communications Officer (IDMC)
E-Mail: julia.blocher@nrc.ch
Mobile: +41 (0)79 175 88 87

KOULIKORO, Mali (UNHCR) – The UNHCR instructor surveyed his class of 150 Malian soldiers in the cavernous hall. "If the enemy enters a mosque, is it honourable for you to follow him inside and fight?" he asked. "No," the soldiers shouted back in unison, shaking their heads and waving their fingers.

"If an enemy turns himself in and hands over his weapons, do you have the right to attack him?" the instructor asked. "No," the soldiers again responded.

The training session on a recent oven-hot Saturday morning at the Koulikoro military base in southern Mali was one of six scheduled seminars on human rights and international humanitarian law sponsored by the European Union, UNHCR, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and other agencies.

The lectures are designed to make rank-and-file soldiers aware of the difference between combatants and civilians; the protection due humanitarian workers, children, refugees, internally displaced people and civil officials; and the prohibition against taking hostages, using torture or engaging in random looting and shooting.

On this Saturday, UNHCR trained a total of 600 Malian soldiers over four successive one-hour sessions, with each class made up of 150 men. The human rights classes are part of the combat training being carried out by the European Union at Koulikoro, which is located 60 kilometres east of the Mali capital, Bamako. The programme will involve 3,000 men, all of whom will be deployed in the north.

The special human rights classes were called for under a UN Security Council resolution in December that authorized the deployment of the 3,000-strong African peacekeeping force to Mali following a French-led military intervention that reversed a rebel push in the country. The resolution stressed the importance of training military forces in international humanitarian and human rights law.

"I found the sessions very encouraging because the soldiers were receptive to the principles of international humanitarian law and understood the importance of not only protecting civilians, but also of acting legally for all Malians," said Pierre Jacques, the UNHCR protection officer who trained the soldiers.

The Malian army has been accused by the UN and other international organizations of human rights abuses against suspected rebel supporters, including ethnic Peuhl, Tuaregs and Arabs, since the launch last January of the counter-offensive. Malian officials have denied that the military was carrying out systematic reprisals and promised to arrest and prosecute any perpetrators.

Malians continue to flee to neighbouring countries amid sporadic fighting in northern areas. Many say they fled because they feared reprisals. Today, there are more than 175,000 registered Malian refugees in Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Algeria.

Given this context, UNHCR officials said they were particularly encouraged by the participation of Tuareg soldiers in the seminars. By creating a military composed of varying ethnic groups, the hope is to prevent retribution. "As Malian soldiers, you do not have the right to carry out reprisals," Pierre Jacques emphasized.

The participants, who listened intently to the simultaneous Bambara and Tamasheq language translations, said they could easily apply the concepts presented to real-life situations. "There are innocent people in combat, and the seminar is meant to prevent killing innocent people," said one soldier.

The soldiers were asked to respond to situations and people they are likely to confront, and sometimes the answers were not so evident. What, for example, should be done in the case of an armed child who appears prepared to attack you?

"As an honourable Malian soldier, you should do everything to neutralize that infant soldier," Jacques said. "But if it is impossible to neutralize him, you should protect your life by all available means."

In addition to international humanitarian law, the seminars address topics such as the protection of women and children in armed conflicts; coordination between the military, humanitarian agencies and NGOs; and the rights of refugees and internally displaced people in combat situations.

"I know that sometimes there are certain rules in international humanitarian law that may seem absurd, but the respect of those rules is the difference between you, the soldiers of the Malian army, and people who act in illegal and disloyal ways," Jacques concluded to applause.

By Eduardo Cue in Koulikoro, Mali

The roads in the Sahel region of Chad often become impassable during the rainy season, cutting off farmers from their fields during the planting season. Working with a local NGO, WFP supported a food-for-work project to construct a bridge, overcoming logistical challenges due to flooding.

N’Djamena – The Guéra region of Chad is part of the Sahel belt, which is prone to recurrent drought, short rainfalls and locust invasions. The combination of these conditions leads to high levels of vulnerability, chronic food insecurity and malnutrition.

For years, malnutrition rates in the region have been above the World Health Organization’s emergency threshold of ten percent. Access to water is limited, as several natural water reservoirs have become dry and silted. The Government of Chad and national and international organizations continue to work to devise solutions to these recurring challenges.

As in many parts of the Sahel, people look forward to a rainy season that starts on time and is distributed across agricultural areas. However, rain is a double-edged sword for many communities living in the Sahel. On the one hand, steady rainfall is the main source of water and is essential for a good harvest. On the other hand, too much rain and subsequent flooding creates logistical challenges and can damage crops.

A community of farmers near Mongo lives separated from their farms by the river bed of the Madja. While peoples’ homes are on one side of the river, fertile agricultural land lays on the other side. During the rainy season, these agricultural areas can sometimes remain inaccessible for months. Unattended farms results in lower yields, which has a negative impact on the community’s food security. Meanwhile, farmers can remain stranded in their fields waiting for the water levels to lower before returning home.

During the last rainy season, farmers cut-off from their land by the Madja river proposed a food-for-work project supported by WFP to construct a bridge and overcome seasonal logistical challenges. Under food-for-work project, community members are given food in exchange for work on infrastructure projects that aim to increase households’ food security. Other examples of food-for-work projects include: irrigation, terracing and soil and water conservation.

WFP works with NGO partners to carry out its activities. The community proposed the project to the local NGO Moustagbal, which means “hope” in Arabic. WFP approved the project, in exchange for 6.7 metric tons of mixed food. This was the ration calculated for the participations for a period of three months. WFP, Moustagbal and local authorities were involved in the technical supervision of the project. When there was a problem with the drinking water at the project site, the WFP sub-office lent a mobile water cistern.

Around 2,600 farmers worked on the project, of which nearly 1,800 were women. Roughly a third of the farmers were able to access farms, which they had previously abandoned.

When the project was complete, the community was jubilant. The project was completed in three months as planned in June 2012, just before the start of the rainy season. This has proved the best agricultural season in recent years partly due to steady rainfall spread across territories and partly thanks to the bridge, which made it possible for farmers to reach and tend to their fields on a regular basis.

According to interviewed beneficiaries, harvest production increased both in terms of yield per hectare as well as the total area cultivated. The yield increased from 0.6 to 1.0 metric tons per hectare. The combination of favorable climatic conditions and the bridge, which greatly facilitated access, increased last harvest production to 7,800 metric tons in comparison to 2011 harvest of 2,200 metric tons, which was one of the worst harvests in recent years.

Fighting continued unabated throughout Syria, in particular in Hama, Aleppo, Ar-Raqqa, Dar’a, Deir-ez-Zor, Homs, Idleb, Lattakia and around Damascus. 6.8 million people are in need in of humanitarian assistance in the country, 4.25 million people are displaced and over 1.4 million people have fled into neighbouring countries.

An earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale struck a mountainous area of southwestern Sichuan province in China on 20 April. More than 1.99 million people are estimated to be affected, of which more than 12,000 are injured and 245,000 urgently evacuated as of 23 April. Blocked roads and infrastructural damage reportedly hamper access for relief operations.

The humanitarian crisis linked to violence and the related power struggle in the Central African Republic is affecting the whole population of 4.6 million people in the country, according to UNICEF. More than 2.3 million of these are children. Throughout the country, clashes between supporters of the new authorities and people loyal to the former President Bozizé have been reported over the past week.

In Kenya, several parts of the country, in particular the Coast and Western Kenya, have been affected by floods following heavy downpour. Some 89,515 people have been affected cumulatively since the onset of the rains in March, and more than 63,000 remain displaced.

Global Emergency Overview web interface

Somalia's new government is beginning to build confidence in its ability to progress the country's recovery. The UK opened its new embassy – a collection of shipping containers painted white – in Mogadishu last week, and other European countries are following suit. Somalia's progress raises an immediate question: is it now time for hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced people living in the region to return?

Read the full report

On the banks of the river Niger at the Koriame Port, 18km (11 miles) from Timbuktu, Kadja Founè Koninta recounts the birth of her daughter. It was during the occupation of northern Mali by Islamist rebels, she explains, and she – together with her family of fishermen – had just arrived at Koriame when she unexpectedly went into labour. "I gave birth the same day we arrived," she said. "People said it was because of fear."

Read the full report

Global Highlights

• The global cereal price index increased by 8.8% on a year-on-year basis in the January-March 2013 quarter.This increase is driven by increases in real prices of maize and wheat (+8% and +13%, respectively).

• However, on a quarterly basis (Q1-2013 vs. Q4-2012), global maize, wheat and rice prices fell by respectively 7%, 13%, and 5%, respectively. For wheat, the decline is mostly attributable to favourable harvest prospects due to improved weather in major growing regions. In Q1-2013, wheat prices are 28% lower than during their peak period in 2008. Maize prices are still 9% higher than during Q2-2008 and 8% above the same period in 2012. The price of rice is stable compared to the same period in 2012.

• Dynamics and price trends for domestic markets are quite different than global trends. The impact of domestic price changes on the food basket cost in the last quarter was high (5-10%) or severe (above 10%) in one third of the 65 countries monitored. The most severe effects are driven by prices of maize in Malawi (32%), wheat in Tajikistan (23%) and wheat flour in Bolivia (22%).

• Overall the purchasing power of Malawians has deteriorated sharply as a result of the devaluation of the local currency (Kwacha) in May 2012. The average monthly inflation rate has soared to 38% in February 2013. The price of maize is more than four times its price two years ago in some markets.

• Despite a good 2012/2013 crop year, local prices in Niger have not recovered from the 2011/2012 production deficit in the Sahel. Millet prices at most markets are unusually high and are expected to increase in the coming months with the start of the lean season.

Nouakchott, Mauritania – Tadateru Konoé, the president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has undertaken his first mission to Mauritania where he witnessed first-hand the work the Mauritanian Red Crescent is doing to combat food insecurity in the region. The National Society has developed a range of solutions which are having a significant impact on vulnerable communities, including those living in remote areas of the country.

Mr Konoé said the organization’s efforts to work with both government and local communities was paying dividends. “After the terrible food crisis that affected over 1 million people last year, the twin-track approach which combines emergency food aid and long-term projects is paying off,” he said. “I’ve been amazed to see – in the midst of a desert – flourishing community gardens that enable women to access clean water and generate an income that will improve their ability to cope with any upcoming crisis.”

The President was visiting the region of Brakna, which has the highest malnutrition rates in the country. He saw a number of projects managed by the Mauritanian Red Crescent which are improving lives in communities. He heard that many women working on communities garden were earning between 242-1,400 US dollars per year, up from 35 US dollars a few years ago. The money is used to invest in improving the gardens, rehabilitating solar powered water points and funding childrens’ schooling.

During his mission, Mr Konoé was received by the Minister of Social Affairs and Family, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Interior and Decentralization. He also had a meeting with Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf. Mr Konoé said the National Society had a vital role to play in the ongoing development of Mauritania. “With a network of 3,500 trained volunteers, expertise and strong leadership, the Red Crescent gas the potential for a growing partnership with the government, especially in remote areas,” he said. “The IFRC is determined – with its partners from other Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – to increase its presence and support for community resilience programmes.”

Mr Konoé also stressed the important role Red Crescent volunteers can play in supporting refugees from Mali who may not be able to return home for several months. He said more than 120 volunteers were already working with refugees and host communities. “I realize that taking care of more than 70,000 refugees represents a heavy burden for the country which has opened its borders and welcomed these refugees,” he said. “I am convinced that even stronger collaboration between the National Society and public authorities could foster greater hope for these vulnerable people.”

For more information or interviews contact:

In Mauritania:

Katherine Mueller, Communication Manager, IFRC Africa
Mobile: +251 930 033 413, +222 416 543 82
Email: katherine.mueller@ifrc.org

Moustapha Diallo, Senior Communication Officer West Africa, IFRC
Mobile: +221 774 501 004, 416 847 06
Email: moustapha.diallo@ifrc.org

ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Gender, Dr. Adrienne Diop, has affirmed ECOWAS’ total involvement in the crisis in Mali and attributed the current global interest in the country to the untiring efforts of West African leaders.

The Commissioner was addressing the opening of a two-day workshop and annual general assembly of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa on Thursday, 25th April 2013 in Abuja.

The Commissioner debunked suggestions that ECOWAS did not show sufficient interest in the Malian crisis, insisting that from the onset, the organization declared zero tolerance over the March 2012 coup d’état that toppled former President Amadou Toumani Toure and attempts by insurgents to split the country.

She said that never in the history of the organization have regional leaders – both at the ministerial and heads of state level – held over 10 extra-ordinary meetings within such a short space of time, trying to resolve the crisis in any Member State.

“We have been at the fore-front and at the centre of the crisis in Mali, even to the deployment of AFISMA. We will be there even after the United Nations has fully taken over, because we want to see the return of normality to that country”, she stated.

Dr. Diop who represented the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mrs. Salamatu Hussaini-Suleiman at the meeting, expressed optimism about the prospect of the restoration of peace to the country, adding: “We hope that what has happened in Mali does not happen in any of our Member States”.

Describing the timing of the meeting as apt, she said it coincided with a period “when ECOWAS finds itself addressing alleged impunity and other forms of human rights violations perpetrated by terrorists and extremist groups in Mali.”

She disclosed that ECOWAS has appropriately responded by empanelling a group of human rights observers drawn from the members of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa “to contribute to putting an end to these despicable and denigrating acts”.

The commissioner noted that the Mali mission had reinforced the relevance of the network in the practical protection and promotion of human rights in the region.

While acknowledging certain challenges faced by the Network, she urged the in-coming leadership to reposition itself so as to accomplish its objectives by leveraging on capacity building initiatives facilitated by ECOWAS to enhance institutional efficiency at the national level.

According to her, areas of activities should include monitoring, reporting and documentation of atrocities and other forms of human rights violations, enhancement of cross-border cooperation and collaboration through the institutionalization of functional medium-term exchange programme.

Dr. Diop called on members of the Network to work more closely with the civil society through the West Africa Civil Society Forum (WACSOF)’s thematic group on human rights and other relevant regional mechanisms aimed at mainstreaming the civil society in the protection and promotion of human rights.

In addition, she challenged members of the Network to respond to the human rights abuses in their various countries as “West Africa must no longer be singled out for its human rights abuses. Your task is indeed a tough one”.

She thanked the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for its “fidelity” to the Network, and pledged ECOWAS continued support for the implementation of the Network’s work plan.

Nigeria’s Secretary to the Government of the Federation, represented by the Permanent Secretary in charge of Special Duties, Dr. Jamilia Shuara, addressed the meeting.

Representatives of the OHCHR and the European Union, as well as the Network’s out-going chairperson, Mr. Alioune Tine and the ECOWAS Director of Political Affairs who was represented by the organization’s Head of Electoral Assistance Unit, Mr. Francis Oke, also sent goodwill messages.

The workshop is to create a more effective approach for the NNHRI to prevent and tackle emerging human rights challenges in the region.

More specifically, it is expected to increase the capacity of members to respond to emerging human rights challenges in the region; reinforce the capacities of senior officials of Member States of the NNHRI in investigation, monitoring, documentation and reporting of human rights violations; as well as reposition the NNHRI and its Secretariat for more effectiveness in the protection and promotion of human rights in West Africa.

Fighting continued unabated throughout Syria, in particular in Hama, Aleppo, Ar-Raqqa, Dar’a, Deir-ez-Zor, Homs, Idleb, Lattakia and around Damascus. 6.8 million people are in need in of humanitarian assistance in the country, 4.25 million people are displaced and over 1.4 million people have fled into neighbouring countries.

An earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale struck a mountainous area of southwestern Sichuan province in China on 20 April. More than 1.99 million people are estimated to be affected, of which more than 12,000 are injured and 245,000 urgently evacuated as of 23 April. Blocked roads and infrastructural damage reportedly hamper access for relief operations.

The humanitarian crisis linked to violence and the related power struggle in the Central African Republic is affecting the whole population of 4.6 million people in the country, according to UNICEF. More than 2.3 million of these are children. Throughout the country, clashes between supporters of the new authorities and people loyal to the former President Bozizé have been reported over the past week.

In Kenya, several parts of the country, in particular the Coast and Western Kenya, have been affected by floods following heavy downpour. Some 89,515 people have been affected cumulatively since the onset of the rains in March, and more than 63,000 remain displaced.

Global Emergency Overview web interface

(Bamako, MALI- 29 Avril 2013)-Une formation à la sécurité et aux premiers soins organisée par la Fédération Internationale des Journalistes (FIJ) en faveur des journalistes du Mali s'est ouverte aujourd'hui à Bamako. Cette formation, à laquelle participent une vingtaine de journalistes issus des différents médias du pays et des régions de Gao et Tombouctou est une initiative conjointe entre la FIJ et son affilié au Mali, l'Union nationale des journalistes du Mali (UNAJOM) ainsi que la Maison de la Presse, l'association regroupant des organisations de médias.

«Cette formation témoigne de notre solidarité avec nos collègues journalistes et professionnels des médias du Mali en ces temps difficiles pour leur pays », a déclaré le président de la FIJ, Jim Boumelha. « Elle permettra aux participants d'acquérir des connaissances qui leur seront d'une importance primordiale dans leur travail pendant cette période de conflit. Elle porte également sur des conseils pratiques de sécurité à prendre en compte afin de réduire les risques et menaces et prévenir toutes sortes de dangers dans les localités où ils seront appelés à exercer leur métier. »

La formation qui se tient au Mali est une réponse de la FIJ face à la crise militaro-politique que traverse le pays et qui pose une menace à la sécurité des journalistes qui tentent d'en assurer une couverture objective.

La FIJ, considérant que la nécessité de garantir la sécurité des journalistes constitue un gage pour leur indépendance, a développé ces dernières années une masse critique de compétences qui permettront aux journalistes de minimiser les risques auxquels ils peuvent être exposés dans l'exercice de leur métier. Une dizaine de formations à la sécurité ont été organisées l'année dernière en Afrique de l'Est avec le soutien de l'Union Européenne. Près de 200 journalistes ont été formés, permettant à chacun de partager son expérience avec d'autres collègues.

«Nous ciblons particulièrement les pays à risque dont plusieurs sont situés sur le continent africain où rien qu'en 2012, 21 journalistes ont été assassinés dans l'exercice de leur fonction », a pour sa part indiqué Mme Beth Costa, Secrétaire générale de la FIJ.

La formation à la sécurité aborde comme thèmes : la sécurité personnelle, la planification opérationnelle des missions des médias, la sécurité de l'hébergement et du lieu de travail, les mouvements en zones de conflit, les menaces balistiques et les mesures de protection, la connaissance des enlèvements et risques spéciaux; les émeutes et le désordre public.

Délivrée par un formateur de la FIJ en sécurité des médias, la formation s’inscrit dans la mise en œuvre d'un programme de la FIJ dénommé « construire une culture de la sécurité et des droits de l'homme chez les journalistes du Mali ». A terme, la FIJ avec d'autres partenaires, va procéder à d'autres formations dans la couverture du processus électoral, les reportages sensibles au conflit, et le droit humanitaire international.

Pour plus d'information, veuillez contacter la FIJ à Bamako : + 223 729 801 25 ou le Bureau Régional pour l’Afrique à Dakar au : +221 33 867 95 86 La FIJ représente plus de 600.000 journalistes dans 134 pays du monde

(Bamako, MALI- 29 April 2013)- The International Federation of Journalists today has organised its first safety training for journalists in Mali. The training taking place in Bamako, the capital city gathered a group of twenty journalists from all media outlets, Gao and Tombouctou regions, is organised in partnership with IFJ’s local affiliate the National Union of Mali Journalists (UNAJOM in French acronym) and the Press House, “Maison de la Presse”.

“Through this training we stand in solidarity with our colleagues journalists and media practitioners in Mali in these difficult times their country is facing,” said Jim Boumelha IFJ’s President. “It will help participants to acquire knowledge which will be for paramount importance in their work during this period of conflict. The training includes practical advice and tips to take into account in order to reduce risks and threats, and be aware of all kind of dangers in the field.”

The training is an IFJ response to the military and political crisis Mali is facing and which constitutes a threat to the security of journalists who need to cover it.

The IFJ, considering that the necessity to guarantee the security of journalists is an assurance for their independence, has developed these recent years, a number of practical competencies which will allow journalists to minimize the risks they may face in the course of their work. Ten safety trainings were organized in Eastern Africa last year with the support of the European Union. Nearly 200 journalists have been trained and each of them with the capacity to share experience with other colleagues.

“We are particularly targeting countries at risk and a number of them are located in Africa where in 2012, 21 journalists have been killed in the course of their work,” said Beth Costa, IFG Secretary General.

The safety training explores personal security, operational planning, security of accommodation and workplace, movements in conflict zones, ballistic threats, kidnaps and special risks, riots and public disorder.

The training, delivered by an IFJ media safety trainer, is part of an IFJ program in Mali which is entitled: ‘’Building a culture of safety and human rights for journalists in Mali”. The IFJ in collaboration with other partners will organize other training sessions in elections reporting, conflict sensitive reporting, and international humanitarian law.

For more information, please contact IFJ in Bamako: + 223 729 801 25 or the Africa Regional Office in Dakar (Senegal) : +221 33 867 95 86
IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 134 countries in the world

Press Release No. 13/147
April 29, 2013

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today discussed Mali’s third Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper.

Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Min Zhu, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, made the following statement:

“Mali’s third Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper for 2012–17 (GPRSP-3) and Plan for the Sustainable Revival of Mali in 2013–14 (PRED) lay out a comprehensive and ambitious program for tackling Mali’s development and macroeconomic challenges. The G-PRSP-3, building on extensive and broad-based consultations, stands on five pillars: peace and security, macroeconomic stability, pro-poor growth, equitable access to quality social services, and governance. The PRED focuses on the immediate priorities in the aftermath of the liberation of the North of the country: humanitarian assistance, the organization of transparent elections, the return of government’s authority in the North, and reconciliation among the population. Both plans emphasize fiscal sustainability, public financial management reforms, improvements in the business climate, further anti-corruption efforts, and aid effectiveness as priorities for sustainable growth, macroeconomic stability, and poverty reduction. The support of the international community at the Mali Donor Conference in Brussels on May 15 will be crucial.

“The GPRSP-3 and PRED envisage substantial scaling-up of expenditure to support development. This will require steady implementation of ongoing public financial management reforms to ensure that resources are utilized efficiently. In addition, domestic revenue efforts will be necessary to achieve a sustainable fiscal position over the medium term. Given the uncertainty surrounding the overall resource envelope, sectoral spending programs need to be carefully prioritized taking into account their impact on growth and poverty reduction.

“The GPRSP-3 and PRED emphasize private sector development as the foundation for sustained economic growth and employment. In this regard, they appropriately highlight the need for an enabling macroeconomic and business environment, including a sound legal and judicial framework, adequate and reliable infrastructure, a sound and efficient financial system, and strong education and health sectors.

“Successful implementation of the GPRSP-3 and PRED requires effective monitoring and evaluation of the outcomes of spending programs. This calls for improved performance indicators, more reliable statistics, and stronger institutions to monitor implementation of the authorities’ strategy. “Continued financial and technical support from Mali’s development partners is essential for the success of the GPRSP-3 and PRED. It will be important to improve the effectiveness of foreign assistance through greater harmonization of donor policies, better alignment of donor and country priorities, enhanced trading prospects for Mali, especially for the cotton sector, and the continuous development of the country’s capacity for absorbing aid.”

IMF EXTERNAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Public Affairs
E-mail: publicaffairs@imf.org
Media Relations
E-mail: media@imf.org
Fax: 202-623-6220
Phone: 202-623-7100

KOULIKORO, Mali (HCR) – L'instructeur pose une question devant 150 soldats maliens dans une vaste salle de classe. « Si l'ennemi entre dans une mosquée, le suivez-vous à l'intérieur pour le combattre ? » demande-t-il. « Non, » répondent les soldats tous ensemble, avec des signes de la tête et du doigt.

« Si l'ennemi se rend et dépose son arme, avez-vous le droit de l'attaquer ? », demande l'instructeur. « Non, » répondent à nouveau les soldats en cœur.

La formation s'est récemment déroulée un samedi matin, sous une chaleur torride, à la base militaire de Koulikoro au sud du Mali. C'était l'un des six séminaires prévus sur la question des droits de l'homme et le droit humanitaire international qui sont financés par l'Union européenne, le HCR, OCHA (Bureau des Nations Unies pour la coordination des affaires humanitaires) et d'autres organisations.

Les cours ont été conçus pour informer des soldats du contingent malien de la différence entre des combattants et des civils ; de la protection à assurer aux travailleurs humanitaires, aux enfants, aux réfugiés, aux personnes déplacées et à de hauts représentants de l'administration ; ainsi que de l'interdiction de prendre des personnes en otage, d'utiliser la torture, de tirer des coups de feu arbitraires ou d'effectuer des pillages.

Ce samedi, le HCR a formé au total 600 soldats maliens durant quatre sessions successives d'une heure, chaque classe comptant quelque 150 hommes. Les classes sur les droits humains font partie de l'entrainement au combat mené par l'Union européenne à Kouliboro, qui est situé à 60 kilomètres à l'ouest de Bamako, la capitale malienne. Le programme concerne 3 000 hommes, qui seront tous déployés dans le nord du pays.

Les cours spécifiques sur la question des droits de l'homme ont été requis par une résolution du Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU en décembre qui a autorisé le déploiement d'une force africaine pour le maintien de la paix comptant 3 000 hommes au Mali, suite à l'intervention militaire menée par les Français qui a repoussé une attaque rebelle dans le pays. La résolution a souligné l'importance de la formation des forces militaires sur le droit humanitaire et la question des droits de l'homme.

« J'ai trouvé que les cours sont très encourageants car les soldats se montrent très réceptifs aux principes du droit humanitaire international et ils comprennent l'importance non seulement de protéger les civils, mais aussi d'agir dans la légalité envers tous les Maliens », a indiqué Pierre Jacques, employé du HCR en charge de la protection, qui a enseigné ce cours auprès des soldats.

L'armée malienne a été accusée par les Nations Unies et d'autres organisations internationales d'avoir commis des abus des droits de l'homme contre des partisans présumés des rebelles, y compris des Peuls, des Touaregs et des Arabes, depuis le lancement en janvier dernier de la contre-offensive. De hauts représentants maliens ont nié que les militaires menaient des représailles systématiques et ils ont promis d'arrêter et de juger toute personne responsable.

Les Maliens continuent de fuir des combats sporadiques se déroulant au nord du pays et ils rejoignent les pays voisins. Beaucoup disent avoir fui car ils craignent les représailles. Aujourd'hui, on compte plus de 175 000 réfugiés maliens enregistrés en Mauritanie, au Niger, au Burkina Faso et en Algérie.

Dans ce contexte, des représentants du HCR ont indiqué être particulièrement encouragés par la participation de soldats touaregs aux formations. En créant une force militaire composée de différents groupes ethniques, on espère éviter les représailles. « En tant que soldats maliens, vous n'avez pas le droit de mener des opérations de représailles », souligne Pierre Jacques.

Les participants, qui ont écouté intensément les traductions simultanées en bambara et tamasheq, ont indiqué qu'ils pourraient facilement mettre en application en situation réelle les concepts présentés lors du cours. « Il y a des personnes innocentes aux alentours des lieux de combat et cette formation a pour objectif d'éviter de tuer des innocents », explique un soldat.

Des cas pratiques ont été proposés aux soldats concernant des personnes auxquelles ils sont susceptibles de faire face, et parfois les réponses n'étaient pas évidentes. Que faire, par exemple, quand un enfant armé semble prêt à vous attaquer ?

« En tant qu'honorable soldat malien, vous devez tout faire pour neutraliser cet enfant soldat », déclare Pierre Jacques. « Mais s'il est impossible de le neutraliser, vous devez protéger votre vie par tous les moyens. »

En plus du droit international humanitaire, les séminaires abordent des sujets comme la protection des femmes et des enfants dans les conflits armés ; la coordination entre les militaires, les organisations humanitaires et les ONG ; ainsi que les droits des réfugiés et des personnes déplacées en situation de combat.

« Je sais que parfois certaines règles du droit international humanitaire peuvent sembler absurdes mais les respecter, c'est ce qui fait la différence entre vous, les soldats de l'armée malienne, et les personnes qui agissent de manière illégale et déloyale », conclut Pierre Jacques sous les applaudissements.

Par Eduardo Cue à Koulikoro, Mali

With the wet season expected to begin in Chad within the next month, the situation of thousands of refugees and Chadian migrants currently stranded at four Chadian border posts is becoming increasingly precarious.

Some 25,000 Chadian migrants are currently stranded at Tissi on Chad’s eastern border with Sudan, after fleeing inter-communal fighting between two Arab tribes – the Misseria and Salamat - around the gold mines of Djabal-Amir in Sudan’s Darfur region.

The fighting which started in January has now spread to remote villages in the area and gangs of criminals, including Janjaweed militia, have taken advantage of the situation by attacking and looting the properties of goldmine workers, most of whom are Chadians.

The fighting in Darfur could lead to a further influx of migrant returnees and Sudanese refugees from Sudan in the near future. Initial data indicate that there are also some 450 Chadian returnees from the Central African Republic (CAR) at Tissi in need of urgent assistance.

"We have left all our property behind, as we had to escape with our lives. Our father has been killed. Our properties have been burned," one victim of the fighting in Darfur told IOM.

IOM Chad is currently undertaking registration and profiling of Chadian returnees in Tissi to determine the exact numbers from Sudan and from CAR and their respective needs. The data will be shared with the government and humanitarian agencies, including the UN World Food Programme (WFP.)

IOM has already begun to ship essential non-food relief items to Tissi. It has also begun constructing a transit centre, office and storage facilities in the town.

On Chad’s southern border with the CAR, UNHCR has reported that more than 5,000 refugees have entered Chad in the past few weeks and are now temporarily camped in Maro, a town located close to the CAR border.

Another vulnerable group of an estimated 900 Chadians migrants from Nigeria has also arrived in remote border towns bordering Lake Chad in the west of the country.

The fighting last week between the Nigerian military and the Islamist group Boko Haram in northern Nigeria, which left 185 people dead, has also caused many Chadians living in villages along the Nigerian border to flee their homes. IOM is currently planning a joint assessment mission to the area with the Chadian authorities.

Another influx is unfolding on Chad’s northern border with Libya, where last week IOM was informed of the sudden arrival of some 2,000 vulnerable Chadians in Wour, Tibesti. The migrants were recently released from detention centres in Libya and arrived destitute. IOM has this year already assisted some 1,600 Chadian migrants returned from Libya.

Many of the migrants who arrive at Chad’s border entry points are in a wretched condition, suffering from health problems including respiratory infections, severe dehydration and wound infections. They arrive with few or no possessions and are invariably hungry, thirsty and exhausted.

IOM is working with the Chadian Red Cross, local authorities and humanitarian partner agencies to provide emergency shelter, sleeping mats, bed sheets, mosquito nets, cooking utensils, food, water and medicine to the returnees. It is also providing medical referrals and onward transport to their home areas. Many of the returnees will also need reintegration assistance to survive.

The upcoming wet season in May means that the humanitarian response in all border regions and particularly in the Lake Chad and Dar Sila (Tissi) regions, needs to be accelerated and aid stocks expanded. When the rains begin, the roads will become inaccessible and eventually impassable.

IOM is urgently appealing for US$ 4 million to respond to the pressing humanitarian needs of the returnees from Libya, CAR, Sudan and Nigeria, who are currently stranded at Chadian border entry points.

Last week, the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) gave IOM US$ 0.5 million to provide transport to their final destinations for Chadian returnees from Libya and Sudan.

For further information please contact Qasim Sufi at IOM Chad, Tel: +235.62900674, Email: qsufi@iom.int.