29 July 2013 – The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has commended the West African country for the peaceful conduct of the first round of its presidential elections, which took place yesterday in an orderly manner.

According to a UN spokesperson, “turnout is reported to have been high across the country,” although no official figures have been released yet.

The 28 July elections were seen as an important step on the path to recovery for Mali, which, over the past year, witnessed a military coup d'état, renewed fighting between Government forces and Tuareg rebels, and the seizure of its northern territory by radical Islamists.

MINUSMA, which provided security support to the Malian Defence and Security Forces throughout the day, reported excellent cooperation between its members and the Malian forces in the provision of electoral security, and said it would continue to help secure the counting centres.

International and national observers were also present in all regions, including the cities of Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal, the Mission said.

Today, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali, Bert Koenders, together with the heads of the international observer missions and some key ambassadors, met the presidential candidates today to discuss the process and the next steps.

“All were reminded of the need to respect the results, and to address any complaints through established legal processes,” the UN spokesperson told reporters in New York.

Plus de deux ans après le début de la crise alimentaire, plus de 18 mois après les premiers combats entre les groupes armés et l'armée malienne, la situation du Mali n'est toujours pas revenue à la normale. Pour répondre à l'urgence, Handicap International intervient dans les domaines de la santé, de la protection des plus vulnérables, et lutte contre les risques liés à la présence d'armes et de restes explosifs de guerre sur les lieux de combats progressivement réinvestis par les populations civiles1.

Il est 6h30 du matin, et les 17 membres de l'équipe de dépollution2 déployés par Handicap International sur la zone de Diabali sont à pied d'œuvre. Chaque heure compte. Des armes et des munitions contenant des charges explosives sont dispersées dans les communes situées sur la route reliant Ségou à Tombouctou suite au récent conflit. En un mois seulement, 475 engins explosifs et 5 522 armes de petit calibre été trouvés sur le secteur. Chacun d'entre eux représente un danger pour les populations civiles qui reprennent leurs activités, et en particulier pour les enfants, curieux, qui sont régulièrement victimes d'accidents dramatiques.

« Les équipes ont à cœur de d'aider le mali à se relever »

« Nos équipes sont essentiellement composées de Maliens, explique Sophie Dechaux, qui dirige le projet de réduction des risques des armes conventionnelles de Handicap International dans le pays. Ce sont des personnes venues de tout le Mali – du Nord notamment – et qui ont à cœur d'aider leur pays à tourner la page du conflit. Ils sont appuyés par des démineurs aguerris, originaire de toute la région et formés par Handicap International lors de précédentes interventions, notamment au Sénégal et au Congo. »

Aujourd'hui, ces équipes sont déployées sur une ancienne base occupée un temps par les combattants de groupes armés et qui ont abandonné une partie de leurs armes dans leur fuite. « Cette base se situe à quelques pas du marché et du canal où les gens viennent se laver, explique Adrien Ousmane Ngom, chef d'équipe de déminage à Diabali. C'est donc une zone que nous devons dépolluer en priorité. Ce matin, par exemple, nous avons neutralisé une roquette de 107mm, poursuit Adrien, si elle avait explosé les débris projetés pouvaient tuer des personnes jusque dans un rayon de 300 mètres. Nous l'avons étudiée, puis transportée entre des sacs de sables pour l'enfouir et la faire exploser dans un lieu sécurisé. »

Sensibilisation des populations pour éviter les accidents

Le mois dernier, un berger a trouvé une roquette et il a eu le mauvais réflexe de la ramener chez lui. Ses enfants ont joué avec et elle a explosé tuant l'un d'entre eux âgé de quatre ans seulement. Quatre autres enfants ont été blessés. « Il s'agit de populations qui ne sont pas habituées à rencontrer ce type d'armes, explique Sophie Dechaux. Elles n'y avaient pour la plupart jamais été confrontées et il est essentiel de bien expliquer les risques et l'attitude à adopter pour éviter les accidents dont, encore une fois, les enfants sont les premières victimes. »

Handicap International mène également depuis un an des actions de sensibilisations aux risques que représentent ces armes et engins explosifs3.

Les séances de sensibilisation visent tout particulièrement les enfants, qui sont intrigués par les munitions ou engins explosifs qu'ils peuvent rencontrer, les personnes déplacées amenées à retourner sur des zones où des combats ont eu lieu, et les personnes dont la profession implique un risque élevé de se trouver confronté à ce risque.

1 Le projet de dépollution actuellement mené par deux équipes de Handicap International dans le secteur de Diabali est financé par la Communauté européenne (ECHO).

2 On parle de dépollution pour désigner l'identification, le marquage et la destruction des restes explosifs de guerre.

3 Depuis l'été 2012 en appui à nos partenaires pour diffuser des messages via des relais médiatiques, et e

The early rains that poured consistently at the beginning of the planting season generated a sense of hope for the people of Nsanje, a drought prone district in the southern part of Malawi. For years, the district has been receiving scanty rains, leaving its people with little and to some even nothing to eat.

In the past successive seasons, the rains had been either late or not enough to support growth of crops to maturity. However, the signs of good rains prompted the people from the district to plant all the seeds they had fearing to lose out on the favorable weather. But as the season progressed, the rains disappeared and in its turn, came the usual blistering heat that scolded the life from their crops.

“We had a poor harvest in the previous season and were banking our hopes on the good rains,” says Esnart Dumpwa from Mwandizawa village in Nsanje. “Our food supplies were low and this forced us to eat sparingly because we knew that the worst was to come if the next crop was to fail again,” she adds.

Immediate need for food As a grandmother to eight orphans and widowed for some years now, Esnart says the drought made her have sleepless nights because she had no idea where the next meal to feed her big family would come from, “I had to do menial jobs to get something on the table but at my age it was proving to be difficult,” says Esnart whose grandchildren are all of school age.

As hunger and despair loomed over her family, she received word of invitation from the village chief to a community meeting that would change her life, “I was invited to a community meeting and upon arrival I learnt that I was selected to be one of the beneficiaries to a seed project for those whose crops did not do well,” says Esnart.

Though she was pleased with the news, her immediate needs for that time was food, but having an improved seed variety for replanting gave her hope. Getting certified millet seed is a challenge in Malawi. With maize being the dominating staple food, millet and other crops are overlooked to the great disadvantage for the people from areas such as Nsanje and surrounding areas where the climate is hot and dry.

Through the ECHO funded food security project, Esnart received four kilograms of certified millet and sorghum seed to replant in her field.

The timely intervention of seed starter pack has enabled Esnart to harvest 12 bags of millet and 6 bags of sorghum, each weighing 50kgs, “The project has helped me a lot as I now have food for my family and can afford to help other relatives in need,” says Esnart

Enough food for six months Like Esnart, the Kam’bwembe family from the neighbouring village of Chithumba were also victims to unpredictable rains. They did not harvest much from their farm and the family was on the verge of starvation.

“We didn’t know that we would be part of the project. We were invited to the chief’s house and he told us that the community had chosen us to receive sorghum and millet seeds,” says Chrissie Kam’bwembe adding, “I think they saw that we are a hardworking family and it was the weather that was failing us and possibly they thought we deserved another chance because we had no seeds to replant.”

Chrissie’s husband, Yasmin says that during the time they received the seeds, they had no food and the temptation was very big to eat the starter seeds, “We knew that it would be a mistake to eat the seeds as it is difficult to have millet and sorghum certified seeds,” he says.

After planting, the Kam’bwembe’s had a good harvest. “We harvested eight bags from the same piece of land where we used to harvest one or two bags,” says Yasmin adding, “We have kept some seeds for the next planting season. The project has helped us a lot as we now have enough food for the coming six months and also have seeds for the next planting season.”

By Joseph Scott, Communications Officer, DCA Malawi

In Mali, the ICRC brings aid to people suffering the combined effects of the armed conflict and the food crisis.

Caring for the sick and injured

In northern Mali, the ICRC has made it easier for war-wounded people to obtain emergency care. The hospital in Gao is again operational thanks to ICRC support.

The ICRC supports health facilities in Mali and was on hand for the national polio-vaccination day.

Visiting detainees

The ICRC visits people detained in connection with the conflict in northern Mali, both people in the hands of the Malian army and those held by other parties to the conflict. It has also facilitated the return of detainees freed by their captors.

An agreement signed with the Malian government in April 2013 gives the ICRC access to all places of detention in the country and facilitates our efforts to enhance detainee welfare.

Aiding Malian detainees and refugees

The ICRC and the Mali Red Cross supply food, shelter and medical care for displaced people and residents in the regions of Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu. Further south, both organizations are helping people who have taken refuge in the regions of Ségou, Sikasso and Mopti.

The conflict in northern Mali has caused large numbers of people to flee to neighbouring countries. The ICRC and the Red Cross Societies of those concerned countries have provided food and other basic items to Malian refugees and returnees.

The support of the Mali Red Cross enables many displaced persons and refugees to stay in touch with their families via Red Cross messages.

Providing drinking water

In northern Mali, the ICRC is supporting fuel to power stations in the towns of Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu in order to maintain the drinking-water supply.

Mitigating the effects of the food crisis

The ICRC and the Mali Red Cross are distributing food to around half a million people in northern Mali. After an interruption due to the security situation, distributions resumed in mid-July 2012.

With ICRC support, millions of animals have been vaccinated and treated against parasites. Animal feed has been made available. The weakest animals are bought at a good price and slaughtered and the meat is distributed to the poorest people. The proceeds from the sale of the animals enable farmers to buy grain.

Supporting migrants returning from Libya

The armed conflict in Libya caused migrants, including many Malians, to return home via Niger. Thanks to shelter and transit centre set up by the ICRC in cooperation with the Red Cross Society of Niger, vulnerable migrants receive food, have access to transport and are able to communicate with their families.

Promoting international humanitarian law

The ICRC promotes international humanitarian law among armed forces personnel and other weapon bearers, and encourages its implementation by the authorities.

DAKAR, 30 juillet 2013 (IRIN) - À mesure que la situation se stabilise, les Maliens quittent progressivement le Burkina Faso, la Mauritanie et le Niger voisins où ils avaient trouvé refuge, plus d’un an après le coup d’État militaire et l’insurrection qui a secoué ce pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest.

Entre le 25 juin et le 12 juillet, quelque 8 148 personnes rentrées par leurs propres moyens ont été enregistrées dans les régions maliennes de Gao, de Mopti et de Tombouctou. C’est le nombre de rapatriés le plus important depuis le signalement de retours spontanés, a déclaré Anouk Desgroseilliers, responsable de la communication du Bureau des Nations Unies pour la coordination des affaires humanitaires (OCHA) au Mali.

« Il y a encore des débris de guerre explosifs et des vols dans certaines régions, ainsi qu’un sentiment de méfiance, mais le retour au calme des trois derniers mois et la présence de l’armée, des pouvoirs publics et de l’administration locale encouragent les retours », a affirmé Boni Mpaka, chef adjoint du bureau de l’OCHA au Mali.

Plus de 175 000 Maliens sont toujours réfugiés et 353 455 autres sont déplacés dans le pays depuis la flambée de violence qui a notamment embrasé le nord du Mali après le coup d’État de mars 2012.

« Nous ne conseillons aucun retour pour le moment. Mais nous évaluons quels vont être les besoins des rapatriés », a déclaré Mme Desgroseilliers. Les organisations humanitaires ont exprimé leurs inquiétudes de voir les taux de malnutrition élevés dans la région de Gao, au nord du Mali, s’aggraver avec le retour spontané des réfugiés. Le taux de malnutrition aiguë globale (GAM) est de 13,5 pour cent, légèrement inférieur au seuil d’urgence fixé à 15 pour cent.

Les élections présidentielles du 28 juillet encouragent également les retours, a déclaré Lucien Simba, chargé des affaires humanitaires de l’OCHA à Dakar. « Les gens espèrent que les choses vont changer ». Les pouvoirs publics ont fait en sorte que les réfugiés qui se trouvent dans les pays voisins puissent voter.

« La recherche de pâturages, la préparation pour retourner à l’école à la rentrée prochaine, les élections présidentielles, ceux qui reviennent pour vérifier l’état de leurs maisons et de leurs biens ; plusieurs raisons font que les gens rentrent progressivement au Mali », a déclaré à IRIN le Conseil danois pour les réfugiés (DRC).

Cependant, les rapatriés manquent de nourriture, ont besoin d’aide pour reconstruire leurs maisons et reconstituer leurs cheptels. Les enfants auront aussi besoin de certaines conditions en plus de la sécurité ; il leur faudra des professeurs et des écoles fonctionnelles pour reprendre leur scolarité à la rentrée prochaine. De nombreux efforts doivent être réalisés pour favoriser la cohésion sociale et renforcer les capacités de résilience au niveau communautaire qui a été affaibli par les troubles, a expliqué le DRC.

cr/ob/cb-fc/amz

Des centaines de réfugiés maliens en exil ont voté ce week-end lors de l'élection présidentielle qui se déroulait dans leur pays d'origine. Un chiffre bien peu élevé par rapport au nombre de personnes ayant le droit de vote.

En tout, près de sept millions de Maliens avaient le droit de voter pour l'un des 27 candidats en lice à l'élection de dimanche, la première depuis le début du conflit en janvier de l'année dernière, qui opposait les forces gouvernementales aux groupes rebelles. Ces derniers ont été battus plus tôt cette année suite à l'intervention militaire de la France.

Près de 10 300 des 173 000 réfugiés installés dans les pays voisins (Burkina Faso, Niger et Mauritanie) étaient inscrits sur le registre d'état civil et avaient le droit de vote. Pourtant, environ 1 220 personnes seulement ont voté le jour du scrutin, soutenues par l'aide humanitaire et concrète apportée par le HCR et les pays d'accueil. Les chiffres définitifs ne seront toutefois pas connus avant plusieurs jours.

Beaucoup de ceux qui ont voté ont ressenti cela comme une occasion unique d'aider le Mali à retrouver un avenir meilleur et de favoriser leur éventuel retour en toute sécurité. « Ces élections sont porteuses d'espoir pour nous, les réfugiés maliens, car nous avons perdu tant de choses et un nouveau président élu pourrait permettre d'alléger nos souffrances », déclare Aminata, 45 ans, qui fait partie des 323 réfugiés ayant voté au Niger.

D'autres réfugiés en revanche se sont sentis frustrés par les obstacles administratifs et bureaucratiques rencontrés. Beaucoup d'entre eux ont ainsi été exclus du scrutin. Pour voter, les réfugiés admissibles devaient présenter une carte d'identité biométrique (carte NINA) comportant les informations les concernant. Ils devaient aussi présenter un document comportant leur nom et une photo. Beaucoup possédaient l'un ou l'autre, mais pas les deux.

« Je me suis enregistré auprès des autorités maliennes quand ils sont venus au camp en juin et mon nom a été trouvé sur le registre d'état civil, mais je n'ai jamais reçu ma carte NINA », indique Rhissa, 23 ans, un réfugié déçu hébergé dans le camp de Goudebou, au Burkina Faso.

Déterminés à voter, certains réfugiés se sont rendus directement au Mali pour aller chercher leurs cartes NINA, comme Jarrou Ag Ahmed, qui a fui en janvier 2012 avec sa femme et ses neuf enfants la ville de Gossi, dans le nord du Mali, pour rejoindre le Burkina Faso.

« Je suis retourné à Gossi avec ma moto la semaine dernière pour aller voir l'état de ma boutique. Les autorités m'ont donné 19 cartes NINA à distribuer aux réfugiés concernés dans le camp de Goudebou », explique-t-il. « Il fallait compter un jour et demi de trajet à l'aller et au retour ». Le dimanche, lui et son épouse sont allés fièrement voter dans un bureau de scrutin situé près du camp. Ils espèrent tous les deux que l'élection d'un nouveau président permettra de rétablir la sécurité et la stabilité politique au Mali.

Ibrahima n'a pas été aussi chanceux. Le jeune homme de 24 ans avait appris que sa carte NINA était dans les mains de ses parents, qui habitent dans la ville de Kidal, au nord du Mali. « Mais c'était tout simplement trop dangereux pour moi de retourner là-bas pour la récupérer », raconte-t-il, en évoquant l'instabilité constante dans la ville au cours des derniers mois.

Le chef du bureau du HCR à Dori, dans le nord du Burkina Faso, a cependant déclaré que même si de nombreux réfugiés n'ont pas exercé leur droit de vote, ceux qui ont été en mesure de le faire ont vécu cela comme un moment important.

« Ces élections sont importantes pour les réfugiés maliens, car ils pensent qu'il s'agit d'un droit et d'un devoir pour eux », déclare Marie Louise Kabre. « C'est aussi un signe de renouveau, un signe de réconciliation au Mali. Les réfugiés étaient prêts à voter, ils se sont mobilisés très tôt le matin pour pouvoir le faire. »

En Mauritanie, seuls 811 réfugiés maliens ont voté ce dimanche sur les 8 500 et plus qui étaient inscrits dans la base de données électorale. Au Burkina Faso, des 1 014 réfugiés dont le nom apparaissait sur le registre d'état civil, seuls 85 ont voté.

Le rôle du HCR lors de ces élections était strictement humanitaire et non politique. L'Agence a donné des informations aux réfugiés concernant le processus électoral ; elle a facilité leur participation et a contribué à assurer le caractère volontaire du processus électoral dans un environnement sécuritaire.

Par Hélène Caux à Goudebou, au Burkina Faso. Dalia Al Achi en Mauritanie et Amaria Belaskri au Niger ont contribué à cet article.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) head of mission Johanne Sekkenes just returned from Mali, where continuing conflict has made access to health care a major problem.

What is the situation in Mali today?

For me, the crisis continues. Access to medical care remains a significant issue throughout Mali. In Koutiala, in the southern part of the country, we are operating a pediatric project. The crisis hasn’t really affected the population there, which continues to live normally. Health personnel are on site and medical aid organizations are conducting their activities without any problems. However, patients must still pay for care, which represents a major obstacle to access.

The situation is different in the north. While it does not qualify as a humanitarian catastrophe, the needs are still great. Certain populations—Arab and Tuareg—do not feel safe and for now will not return to the cities to seek treatment because they are afraid of abuses or retribution. These populations fled northern Mali during the military operation launched in January and headed to neighboring countries.

In Timbuktu, where MSF teams are working in the hospital and several community health centers, it is also difficult for the medical staff and population to reach health facilities, particularly when traveling along certain roads known to be targeted by gangs.

What are the humanitarian needs in northern Mali?

Access to medical care in northern Mali is currently limited for several reasons. First, medical staff fled during the crisis and is only now starting to return. The other major problem has to do with the quality of care, which is very limited due to the lack of organization within health care facilities and chronic shortages of drugs and medical staff. And although a decree has established free medical care in northern Mali, the facilities lack adequate financial resources to pay for operating costs and the salaries of their staff.

Another aspect—which is not new—has to do with isolated patients who live far from health care facilities and have difficulty traveling to obtain treatment. Mothers about to give birth have complications and die because they cannot get to a hospital in time. Also, the medical facilities may not offer adequate care (including transfusions and Caesarean sections).

However, in the last two months, government employees and NGO staff have started to return to the north. The quality of care is beginning to improve, though many of the community health centers are far from operational. However, lots of money from a variety of donors is coming in, which is good, and I hope it will have a positive impact.

What are MSF's priorities for the coming months?

MSF does not expect to reduce its medical aid activities in Mali because needs do exist. The annual malaria season is starting. It overlaps with the “hunger season,” the period that precedes the first harvest, when foodstuffs from the last harvest may be running out. This can lead to a significant decline in agricultural production and a sharp run-up of prices. Families will not have enough money to buy the foods that young children need to prevent malnutrition or to pay for medical visits.

In general, MSF’s current priority is to enable the populations living on the outskirts, who have difficulty obtaining medical treatment, to do so. In the north, as in the south, we want to focus our activities on pediatric care, treating malaria, and caring for pregnant women.

We hope that we will be able to improve access to care and quality of care in the north as medical staff return. There's still a lot of work to do.

What does MSF think of the establishment of MINUSMA?

The mandates of MINUSMA (the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali) include stabilizing the situation, particularly in the north, and supporting humanitarian activities so that aid can be delivered and displaced persons and refugees can return. Humanitarian activity carried out by armed forces can create confusion. We must make sure that the activities of MINUSMA and those of MSF are not conflated. As has always been the case in the past, MSF will continue to talk with all political actors in Mali to help ensure that we can carry out our aid activities independently. We are confident that the warring parties will recognize the difference. We hope that our humanitarian activity will be seen as neutral and impartial and we will continue to work to ensure that it remains so.

Five vulnerable Nigerien villages are to benefit from improved access to basic services, as an Islamic Relief water project enables people to look after their health and frees up time to study or earn a living.

Around 90 per cent of people in Niger - one of the least developed countries on the planet – live without sanitation. In rural areas, huge swathes of the population do not have adequate access to safe drinking water.

As a result, many are forced to use whatever water is available – risking life-threatening water-borne diseases. In May this year, the Nigerien government declared a cholera epidemic.

In the western region of Tillaberi, where more than half of the population lack access to drinking water, women and children often shoulder the burden of water collection - often travelling several kilometres to the nearest water point. The time-consuming but essential activity prevents many from attending schools and health centres.

However, Islamic Relief is hard at work to change this. In a project which began in April, we are extending and strengthening the system that currently supplies water to about 22,600 people via 5,000 meters of pipes.

When the project is completed next spring, the system – which is based in Anzourou and currently serves four villages - will also provide 2,345 people living in Bangoutande village with access to clean water.

Health centres and schools in the villages already connected to the system will also have water points installed, to facilitate regular attendance and ease the burden that women and children face in collecting water.

In addition to the extended pipework and extra water points, we will also install a solar pumping system. Communities will be trained and empowered to look after the water system and repair it when necessary, as part of efforts to ensure local people have sustainable access to water.

The project is part of a holistic approach to tackling poverty and suffering in the region, complementing other Islamic Relief schemes including disaster-risk reduction, food security, livelihoods, child welfare and health projects.

Hundreds of vulnerable children in Niger are to receive access to quality health and education services, as well as clean water.

Niger is one of the poorest nations in the world. With over 80% of its land covered by desert, the country suffers regular drought, as well as on-going conflict and insecurity. The people of the least developed region, Tillabery,in particular, are no strangers to hunger – last year, 70% of the population were food insecure. Access to education and health services is extremely limited, with the region suffering the country’s highest rate of deaths from water-borne diseases.

Islamic Relief Niger has been providing education, orphan and child welfare programmes since 2006. More than 500 of the country’s poorest children receive an allowance for their basic needs through our one-to-one sponsorship programme. Our latest project, which began in April, is aiming to improve health and education outcomes for vulnerable children and their communities.

In Famalé village, we will be promoting good hygiene through education sessions, as well as distributing information kits and constructing latrines in a school and health centre – which will also receive essential medicines and equipment.

We will also ensure that local people – many of whom currently face a walk of over an hour to the nearest standpipe – receive sustainable access to clean water. We will install boreholes in public places, including a school, and empower local people to oversee their upkeep.

In addition, we will promote access to education – particularly for the poorest children – by providing training for teachers and community organisations on child rights, child-centred teaching, and welfare. Around 200 marginalised children will receive a school bag and books.

The seven month project is expected to directly benefit 460 vulnerable children, as well as 5,335 people in Famalé and neighbouring villages.

I.BREF APPERCU DE LA SITUATION HUMANITAIRE

Le dispositif national de suivi de la situation alimentaire et des partenaires se concentre sur le suivi du démarrage de la campagne agricole. Selon le dernier bulletin de Fewsnet, quelques déficits pluviométriques ont été enregistrés (10 à 30%) comparés à la moyenne 2008-2012 dans plusieurs régions du pays (CentreSud, Centre, Plateau Central, Centre-Nord, Nord et Sahel). Dans les régions de l’Ouest du pays (Ouest, Cascades), trois à quatre décades de retard de semis ont été observés par rapport à la médiane. La campagne qui a connu un démarrage précoce par rapport à l’année écoulée est marquée par la fin des activités de contre saison et la poursuite des travaux de préparation des champs et semis pour la campagne agricole 2013-2014

Par ailleurs, la situation des marchés agricoles au niveau national montre une tendance générale à la baisse de 2% du prix des principales céréales (sorgho blanc et maïs blanc) en mai 2013 par rapport au mois précédent, et de 22% par rapport à la même période de l’année 2012. A l’approche de la période de soudure, une tendance à la hausse des prix devrait être observée pour les mois à venir, s'appuyant sur une forte demande des ménages et la reconstitution des stocks nationaux de sécurité.

Concernant la nutrition, l’analyse des données de la prise en charge des enfants malnutris montre que le nombre de Malnutrition Aigüe Sévère (MAS) attendus en 2013 dans les Camps de réfugiés a été sous-estimé.

Une nouvelle estimation attendue sur la base des données définitives de l’enquête nutritionnelle conduite dans les camps et sur la base des admissions enregistrées depuis le début de l’année est en cours.

Actuellement, on assiste à des taux élevés d'anémie (moyenne de 66,6% dans tous les camps) et de Malnutrition Aiguë Globale (MAG) dans le camp de Goudoubo (24,5% MAG).

Sur le plan de la gestion des réfugiés maliens, la Commission Nationale pour les Réfugiés (CONAREF), l’UNHCR et 17 partenaires opérationnels ont consolidé trois camps principaux où les réfugiés ont accès à une assistance multisectorielle. Avec l’installation de la saison de pluies, les risques d’inondations dans les camps existent et les acteurs travaillent à atténuer d’éventuelles conséquences de pluies torrentielles qui pourraient survenir dans les camps.

Au plan épidémiologique, le pays court en cette période du dernier semestre de l’année, un risque de survenue d’épidémie de choléra. Bien que le pays n’ait pas enregistré à ce jour une épidémie de méningite, les mesures de prévention restent d’actualité notamment pour la période d’octobre à décembre à venir qui marquent habituellement le début de la saison épidémique de méningite.

En somme, il importe de noter que les populations vulnérables du Sahel, non encore remises de la crise de 2012, sont encore soumises aux risques de fortes pluies pouvant provoquer des inondations et des dégâts auxquels s’ajoutent ceux d’une épidémie de méningite et d’une invasion acridienne. La vigilance reste nécessaire.

Islamic Relief is helping vulnerable people in Niger to break out of the downward spiral of progressive poverty. Unlocking the potential of women to drive economic development, the unique food security project is also helping communities to adapt to climate change and become more resilient to disaster.

According to the latest data from the UN, almost 60% of Niger’s population live below the poverty line. The country is facing yet another food crisis, triggered by regional drought and pest infestation as well as pasture degradation and insecurity.

Tillabery, where Islamic Relief has been providing food aid and other humanitarian assistance for several years, is one of the country’s most vulnerable regions. It is increasingly exposed to disasters. Many families rely on the land for income and food. However, they face challenges such as unpredictable rains, lack of arable land and water, as well as limited resources and techniques for sustainable farming and livestock.

Last year, almost the entire regional population was food-insecure. Swathes of the region are dependent upon humanitarian aid to survive.

In an 18-month project in Tillabery, we are working with the poorest families to strengthen their resilience to food insecurity and help them earn a decent income. The scheme, which began in April, will also improve access to natural resources and raise community awareness of disaster-risk-reduction and the need to protect and enhance natural resources.

In the districts of Ouallam and Filingué, 837 households are to gain increased sources of food and cash incomes, as well as improved access to water.

In addition, 100 women will be provided with locally-purchased goats. This will empower them to generate a small income and gain greater control over their resources. The women will be supported by training in goat development and management, and shown how to produce animal feed. Offspring from the animals will be shared with other families, to strengthen social ties and promote economic sustainability for a growing number of women. The goats – which will receive veterinary care – will also provide valuable milk for children.

Women will also be key in controlling two community gardens. The two-hectare gardens will be maintained and run by groups of local women – supported by training and technical support, plus vital materials including planting seeds and gardening tools.

We will also tackle the lack of arable land, providing access to water through improving the existing irrigation system. We will help farmers to make the most of the resources by training them in productive and sustainable farming techniques, and giving them high-yield crop seeds. Soil and water will be conserved, with local people given cash for work in installing low walls and protecting gullies, as well as enrichment planting of trees. We will set up three nurseries to produce seeds and plant trees – growing plantations that will be a growing source of income, animal fodder, and fertiliser for the communities.

As well as the families directly targeted by the comprehensive project, almost 5,900 other local people are expected to benefit as livelihoods improve and community resilience increases.

07/30/2013 21:27 GMT

Mali because they are needed back home, where the country is battling a deadly Islamist insurgency, officials said Tuesday.

It was not clear how many troops would be pulled from the west African nation, where Nigeria currently has some 1,000 troops, spokesman of the defence headquarters, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade said in a statement.

"The defence headquarters will tomorrow (Wednesday) commence the withdrawal of some Nigerian troops from the Peace Support Operations in Mali," it said.

"The troops are mainly those not accommodated in the structures of the newly formed United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). They are to join the ongoing internal security operations in the country."

The action followed "the rehatting and takeover" by the UN of the mission from African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA)," it stated.

"Some of the soldiers will be redeployed immediately," it added.

Nigeria will sustain its commitment and contribution to the Mali operation in other forms, such as input of "sizeable men and materials" to the mission, it said, without giving further details.

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, chair of the 15-nation west African bloc ECOWAS, told reporters earlier this month that the withdrawal was because Nigeria needed its soldiers back home.

"It's because of the domestic situation," Ouattara said after an ECOWAS summit in the Nigerian capital Abuja.

However, a military source had said troops would pull out because the country, which has the biggest military in west Africa, felt "shabbily treated" under the new UN force in Mali.

A Nigerian commanded the previous African-led force in the country, but the UN mission is being headed by a Rwandan.

The UN mission integrates more than 6,000 west African soldiers into its ranks and is charged with ensuring security during and after July 28 elections in Mali.

It is to grow to 11,200 troops, plus 1,400 police, by the end of the year.

Nigeria approved the deployment of 900 troops with the capacity to increase to 1,200 under the previous African-led force.

Nigeria's military has been stretched thin back home.

Bomb blasts late Monday ripped through a mainly Christian area of Kano, the largest city in the north, killing 24 people, an official said, and shattering a recent lull in insurgent attacks there.

The military blamed the attack on suspected members of Islamist extremist group Boko Haram.

Violence linked to an insurgency by the Islamist extremist group, mainly in Nigeria's north, has left some 3,600 people dead since 2009, including killings by the security forces.

ola-ade/lc

© 1994-2013 Agence France-Presse

Nairobi, Kenya – A $1.3 billion per year stream of cash that the people of Somalia depend on for food, shelter, and other necessities is under threat according to a new report from Adeso, the Inter-American Dialogue, and Oxfam released today. Fear of US anti-terror and money laundering laws is leading banks to close critically needed bank accounts of US-based money transfer operators. Used for urgently needed remittances, these accounts are sometimes closed in indiscriminate fashion. With the lack of a formal banking system in Somalia, families now face the possibility of being unable to access funds from friends and relatives that they desperately require for survival.

More money in remittances is sent back than Somalia receives in humanitarian assistance, development assistance and foreign direct investment combined. Somalis based in the US send approximately $214 million each year back to their families in Somalia,nearly the same amount the US sends in foreign assistance to Somalia ($242 million).This aid allows individuals and families to spend money based on their specific needs and immediate priorities.

“Somali-Americans want to be able to send resources to their extended families abroad,” said Representative Ellison, “Remittances are estimated to make up approximately one third of Somalia’s economy, and give many Somali families the ability to put food on the table. The Money Remittances Improvement Act of 2013 will provide financial institutions greater certainty when working with Money Services Businesses and reduce the regulatory burden for these businesses. We cannot solve all of the problems Somali-Americans face sending money home overnight, but we can simplify the process for both businesses and families.”

“Regulators and banks are pointing fingers at one another while the Somali remittance system teeters on the brink,” said Scott Paul, senior humanitarian policy advisor at Oxfam. “What is needed is a concerted, collaborative effort to make sure Somalis can safely and freely support their families back home. Somalia’s development and recovery hang in the balance.”

To many banks, the fear of running afoul of US Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism requirements has led them to take the relatively easy step of shuttering the accounts of money transfer operators, irrespective of their compliance with US law. Without providing any specific reasons or justifications, banks have been closing Somali-American money transfer operators accounts at nearly twice the rate of their Latin American counterparts.

“The Somali community in the US is being pushed to the brink,” said Dr. Manuel Orozco, Director of Remittances and Development, Inter-American Dialogue and lead author of the report. “A complete shutdown of the formal remittance system can occur if closures continue. Account closures have already endangered the lives and livelihoods of Somalis. If the MTO system shuts down, remittances will not only be reduced, they may also go underground – dramatically reducing the transparency and security of the system. Paradoxically it could become a serious national security problem for the United States.”

Remittances to Somalia amount to approximately $1.3 billion a year, of which 20% comes from the US. The money is a lifeline for many Somalis, providing them with a means to meet their immediate needs for food, shelter, clothing, and other basic necessities as well as open and sustain small businesses, send children to school, and invest in their communities. Remittances to women, in particular, result in investments in education, health, and nutrition.

“More than half the recipients of remittances are women,” said Degan Ali, Executive Director, Adeso. “These are teachers and business owners. The money they receive can account for more than half of their income.”

Somali money transfer operators also play a critical role in cash relief programs, which Adeso, Oxfam, the United Nations, the US Administration for International Development and other humanitarian agencies used to help Somalis buy food and other basic necessities during the 2011 famine.

“These companies don’t just connect Somalis to their relatives; they connect Somalis with humanitarian agencies like ours so we can provide life-saving assistance,” Ali added.

For more information, contact: Anne-Marie Schryer-Roy, Regional Communications and Advocacy Manager +254 706 625034, aschryer@adesoafrica.org

Summary: The drought response operation was initiated by IFRC in January 2011 as part of a scaled up Somalia Annual Country Plan 2011 to respond to the drought situation in Somaliland and Puntland. The funds secured in early January 2011 enabled International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) and Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) to kick start the operation in April 2011. However, the general food security situation in Somalia deteriorated in July 2011 which led the United Nations to declare famine in Southern Somalia. The increased hardship in Southern and Central Somalia coupled with increased insecurity forced many people to move Northward seeking refuge in Puntland and Somaliland. The severe drought situation and acute shortage of food and water prompted the IFRC/SRCS to launch an Emergency Appeal on 23 September 2011.

By the end of April 2013, most of the objectives and activities of the Emergency Appeal had been achieved. This include procurement and distribution of Non-Food Items(NFIs), procurement of medical supplies, procurement of vehicles for the mobile health clinics, water sources rehabilitation, fuel subsidy to run boreholes, food rations for boarding schools and orphanages to keep children in school, livelihoods support to fishing communities and strengthening the National Society response capacity.

IFRC Somalia Country Representation commissioned a final external evaluation which was undertaken in the month of May 2013. Recommendations from the exercise include; the need to develop a national water programme strategy and guidelines; water management capacity building of SRCS staff, development of a participatory NFI distribution strategy, community resilience interventions including primary health care interventions and development of a national health programme including mobile clinics.

The main lessons learned /recommendations from the external evaluation;

• Water Strategy: There is a need for IFRC/SRCS to develop a national water programme strategy and guidelines with a clear linkage to enhancing community resilience.

• HR for water resources: The skills and knowledge of the SRCS staff in the area of water management and inputs would need to be strengthened.

• Non-Food Items distribution and targeting: An appropriate NFI composition/ distribution strategy needs to be developed by IFRC/SRCS in order to maximize the appropriate targeting of needy communities with timely and necessary items that are more accurately suitable to the local culture, lifestyle and climatic requirements based on beneficiary consultations.

• Livelihoods support to vulnerable communities: SRCS / IFRC should conduct a detailed vulnerability / needs-assessment of coastal Internally Displaced Person communities and develop sustainable strategies for enhancing the resilience of these groups with the aim to improve their livelihoods.

• Large scale / multi-year funding, long term investment in building community resilience: The SRCS/ IFRC and Partner National Societies (PNSs) should develop a large-scale multi-year plan focused on addressing national primary health care coverage and drought related disaster risk reduction /and building resilience for vulnerable communities.

• Mobile Health Clinics operation: SRCS/IFRC should de-link the mobile health clinics operation funding from the emergency response funding. Using the lessons learned from this operation,
  SRCS/IFRC should explore the possibilities for developing the mobile health clinics operation into a national programme until the time the government is fully competent to take the role of the National Health Service.

• Torrential rains impacted parts of far western West Africa during the past week.

• While above-average seasonal rains caused flooding in Ethiopia, dryness persisted in Sudan and Eritrea.

1) A poor start of season across northwest Ethiopia, southern Eritrea and bordering areas in Sudan has begun to negatively impact cropping activities, including delaying planting. Seasonal rains to date have been significantly below-average, falling below the 10th percentile. For the next week, above-average rains are expected, providing some relief to dry conditions.

2) Saturated conditions in Sierra Leone and Guinea brought on by several weeks of above-average rains are likely to continue into the next week as above-average rains are expected. Heavy rains falling on wet grounds will likely increase the chance for localized flooding.

3) An erratic distribution of rainfall since the second dekad of June has resulted in growing rainfall deficits across bi-modal areas in Ghana and southern Togo. The lack of rains has resulted in a reduction in maize yields.

4) A robust start to the Kiremt rainy season across much of Ethiopia has led to rainfall surpluses exceeding 150mm and reports of localized flooding in flood prone areas in the Oromia, Amhara, SNNPR and Somali regions. With additional heavy rains forecast for the next week, the risks for flooding are elevated.

Soumaila T. Diarra

BAMAKO , 31 juil (IPS) - La première annonce officielle, mardi, des premières tendances des résultats de l’élection présidentielle de dimanche au Mali, suscite une vive polémique susceptible de créer une crise postélectorale alors que le scrutin devrait sortir le pays de sa précédente crise politique multiforme.

«Nous sommes à un tiers du dépouillement. Le candidat Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (IBK) a une large avance sur les autres candidats, selon les tendances qui se dégagent. Si cet écart est confirmé, il n’y aura pas un deuxième tour», a déclaré le ministre malien de l’Administration territoriale, Moussa Sinko Coulibaly, mardi à la presse, sans communiquer de chiffres sur les résultats des candidats.

Cette «large avance» du candidat IBK sur ses concurrents, suivie du commentaire du ministre se référant à la possibilité d’une victoire dès le premier tour, a aussitôt provoqué une colère dans le camp du candidat arrivé en deuxième position, Soumaila Cissé. Ses représentants ont jugé inappropriée la déclaration du ministre Sinko Coulibaly.

«En extrapolant jusqu’à proclamer une victoire au premier tour» d’un des candidats, le ministre Sinko Coulibaly «sort de son rôle en proclamant des résultats. Nous avons des inquiétudes et nous sentons que c’est une intention de mettre le feu aux poudres...», a affirmé Gagnon Coulibaly, coordonnateur de la campagne de Cissé.

Pour sa part, Adama Koïta, porte-parole d'une coalition de partis soutenant la candidature de Cissé, exige la mise en place d’une commission indépendante internationale de dépouillement des votes, qui soit impartiale. Selon lui, «le ministère a montré qu’il n’est plus impartial et qu’il est là pour un candidat». Il a même exigé la démission du ministre de l’Administration territoriale.

Mais de leur côté, les partisans d’IBK rejettent les accusations portées par ses adversaires, estimant que ces résultats reflètent «la vérité des urnes sur la base des procès verbaux» reçus des bureaux de vote.

«L’avance déclarée à la faveur d’IBK montre tout simplement la maturité du peuple malien, parce que cette élection participe aux solutions de sortie de la crise. Le contexte est particulier et le peuple l’a compris», a déclaré le directeur de campagne d’IBK, Abdullaye Idrissa Maïga.

Malgré des imperfections dans l’organisation, le scrutin présidentiel du 28 juillet a mobilisé de nombreux électeurs à travers ce pays d’Afrique de l’ouest qui sort à peine d’une année et demie de crise politique profonde. Environ 6,9 millions de Maliens se sont inscrits sur les listes électorales, dont 85 pour cent ont retiré leur carte d'électeur, selon le ministère.

Le taux de participation s’élève à 53,5 pour cent, indique le ministre de l’Administration territoriale. Et ce taux est exceptionnel, selon les Maliens. En effet, depuis les premières élections démocratiques, les gens votent traditionnellement peu au Mali, comme au précédent scrutin en 2007 où le taux de participation était de 35 pour cent, selon le ministère.

Avant et pendant le scrutin, tous les regards étaient tournés vers les régions nord du pays où l’insécurité règne encore, comme à Kidal (nord-est), le fief des rebelles touaregs. «Avant d’aller voter, j’ai beaucoup hésité parce que j’avais peur que des gens s’attaquent à ceux qui vont voter», a déclaré Oumar Maïga, un membre de la communauté Sonrhaï de Kidal.

Mais sous le contrôle des agents de sécurité maliens et des forces militaires internationales, le vote s’est finalement déroulé dans le calme à Kidal qui avait vécu sous la domination des islamistes entre avril 2012 et janvier 2013 – la date du début de l’intervention militaire française.

«Des manifestants sont sortis pour crier 'Azawad', ils n’étaient pas nombreux. Mais ceux qui voulaient voter ont eu peur et beaucoup sont restés à la maison», a expliqué Oumar Maïga à IPS.

Par contre, l'affluence n’a pas diminué toute la journée dans les régions de Tombouctou et Gao (nord) qui avaient souffert également de l’occupation et des exactions des islamistes. «Cette élection est très importante pour nous parce que nous allons élire le président qui doit résoudre nos problèmes», a affirmé à IPS, Mohamed Cissé, un habitant de Tombouctou.

Les électeurs ont rapporté une importante présence des forces de sécurité dans les villes du nord, notamment à Tombouctou et Gao. La veille du vote, le Mouvement pour l’unicité et le jihad en Afrique de l’ouest (MUJAO) avait menacé d'attaquer les bureaux de vote dans ces régions. Pour sécuriser les lieux, 6.300 casques bleus des Nations Unies, étaient envoyés sur place, appuyés par 3.200 soldats français.

Plus au sud, à Bamako la capitale, le scrutin s’est déroulé dans le calme. «Cette élection présidentielle est la meilleure que nous ayons jamais connue depuis l’indépendance en 1960», a déclaré le président par intérim Dioncounda Traoré.

Pourtant, même à Bamako, certains avaient eu du mal à voter. «Ce que j’ai constaté le matin, c’est que d’autres électeurs comme moi avaient des difficultés pour retrouver leur bureau de vote. Il n’y avait pas tous les matériels électoraux au complet dans certains bureaux aussi», a affirmé à IPS, Oumou Sidibé, une habitante du quartier Sebénikoro, à Bamako.

Des dizaines d'observateurs de la Communauté économique des Etats d'Afrique de l'ouest, de l'Union africaine, et de l'Union européenne étaient présents pour veiller au bon déroulement du vote, selon Dramane Diarra du réseau 'Appui au processus électoral au Mali' (APEM).

Il y a eu quelques problèmes d’organisation, mais les échanges rapides de messages SMS avaient permis aux activistes de la société civile de coordonner les réponses immédiates pour résoudre certains problèmes, selon l’APEM.

Mais tous les observateurs s’accordent à dire qu’il n’y a eu aucun incident susceptible de remettre en cause les résultats de ce vote, malgré ces quelques difficultés. (FIN/2013)

Statistics/ Registration

As of 31 May 2013, the total number of Malian refugees in Algeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mauritania, Niger and Togo is 176,986 individuals. The estimated number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mali as a result of the crisis as of 21 May is 301,027 individuals according to the Commission of Population Movements. The current number of Malian refugees and IDPs is 478,013 individuals.

In Burkina Faso, UNHCR and the government have decided to temporarily maintain 49,945 individuals – which is the registration figure as of 22 April 2013 – as the total Malian refugee figure pending the biometric registration which has been planned to start in August 2013, as well as the ongoing verification of the physical presence of refugees considered as “out of camps/rural”, The latter are scattered throughout the Sahel region of Burkina Faso. This figure will be updated as soon as these two exercises have been completed.

La situation alimentaire reste fragilisée dans les régions du Sud-Ouest

MESSAGES CLÉS

• Actuellement, les ménages du Logone Oriental, Tandjilé, Logone Occidental et du grand Mayo Kebbi sont en Stress (Phase 2 de l’IPC 2.0) à cause de l’épuisement des stocks plutôt qu’en année typique et de la hausse saisonnière normale des prix des céréales. A partir d’octobre, grâce aux nouvelles récoltes toutes les régions seront en Phase 1 (Aucune/Minimale) et y resteront au moins jusqu'à décembre 2013.

• Les déficits pluviométriques enregistrés assez tôt dans la campagne (juin) ont été de courte durée et ont provoqué de retard allant de 2 à 3 semaines par endroits dans la mise en place des cultures. Ces déficits ont été réduits par les bonnes pluies de juillet et leur impact sur le développement des cultures ne semble être ni assez important ni irréversible.

• Les prix des céréales commencent à amorcer des hausses dans la partie sahélienne à cause de la réduction du stock commercial mais restent inférieurs comparé à leur niveau au cours de la moyenne quinquennale. Cependant, la consommation alimentaire des ménages est restée stable due à la disponibilité du lait et aux interventions qui ont commencé comme en année normale dans presque toute la bande sahélienne.

By Jim Stipe

As people in the West African nation of Mali await the final results of Sunday’s presidential election, hoping for a government that will steer the country towards development and peace, CRS continues its lifesaving work in the country.

“Malians hope that the new government will address corruption, lack of transparency and poor services,” said Sean Gallagher, CRS’ country representative in Mali. “The elections are seen as an opportunity in Mali, and people hope that the newly elected leaders can take advantage of this opportunity and address the deep seated problems that have held the country back from working on behalf of the Malian people. There is a sense, also, that the elections will now move the country ‘beyond the coup.’”

The coup last year and a French-led military intervention in January led many to flee their homes, with hundreds of thousands seeking safety in the country’s capital, Bamako, or across borders in neighboring countries. CRS has provided assistance to displaced and vulnerable families in Bamako, and is now expanding this work in the Mopti region, in central Mali, as a result of improved security.

Even amid hopes for peace and stability as a result of the election, many of Mali’s residents continue to experience severe food shortages and other needs in the areas of health, water and sanitation. Farmers need seeds and fertilizer to take advantage of the upcoming rainy season.

CRS is currently working with local partners in conflict-affected areas to help the most vulnerable meet such immediate needs through cash transfers and seed fairs.

Crisis levels of food insecurity persist in conflict-affected areas of the northeast

KEY MESSAGES

• The Boko Haram conflict, as well as a declared state of emergency, continue to cause population displacements, restricted market functioning, and reduced household income levels in Borno and Yobe states. Combined, these factors are making food access difficult and as a result, households in these states will face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) food insecurity until the next harvests in October.

• Households who suffered flood-related losses to their productive assets and crop production during the 2012 rainy season have yet to recover their livelihoods. Due to an early depletion of household food stocks, below-average income levels, and atypically high prices, these households will be Stressed (IPC Phase 2) until the end of the lean season in late September.

• Despite a slow start to the agricultural season in some areas, a normal main harvest is expected for September/October. This will replenish household and market food stocks, cause food prices to decline, and improve food access. Consequently, poor households across the country will face Minimal (IPC Phase 1) acute food insecurity during the second half of the Outlook period (October to December).