Highlights

· With the on-going crisis in north-eastern Nigeria's Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States, since June 10th significant number of refugees have come in through the South eastern part of Far North Region; UN and its partners are supporting the Government in providing early interventions to mitigate the impact of the crisis on refugees constituted mostly of women and children.

· A refugee camp is already established in Minawao (situated in Mayo Tsanaga division (Mokolo), some 30 kms from Mokolo and 130 km from the boarder, and 75 km far from Maroua). 833 refugees (204 children under 5 years) are currently living in this camp. As of August 19th, UNHCR has pre-registered 1966 (out of 4225 new arrivals) in the department of Mayo Sava (Amchide). And, on August 19th, local authorities informed of the presence of 294 new refugees in the department of Mayo Tsanaga (Zhelevet).

· UNICEF and its local partner ACEEN has constructed 34 latrines and 17 showers for the refugees. An EPI immunization campaign together with deworming, Vitamin A to pregnant women has been carried out in Zelevet and Assighassia areas in Kozas health District. Some NFIs and 400 MILDA (LLMN) has been provided to the local health facility and refugee camp.

· For refugee population, the screening and active case finding of acute malnutrition done on August 13 found that 3.5% of screened children (n=6) suffer from SAM- Severe Acute Malnutrition and 8.2% (n=14) suffer from Moderate Acute Malnutrition. For general public in the North, Far North, Adamaoua and East Regions, the data collection for the nutrition SMART Survey was completed in July- August, 2013 which will provide key information of nutrition status of children and women.

· Consistent and some heavy rains have been reported in the Far North region till now and consequently reports regarding first few displaced families have also started coming in. The next few weeks will be critical. Medicines have been prepositioned in 66 health facilities and 8 CNTI of the vulnerable areas for eventual floods.

· Local Immunization Days were organized in Far North and North regions from July 22nd to 28th. All 43 health districts and 409 health areas were involved targeting 1,599,369 children aged 0 to 59 months.

· USD 803,926 was received as part of CERF funds to cover WASH, Health and Protection needs of Nigerian refugees.

1) The onset of the rainy season was delayed by more than four weeks across southeastern Sudan, northwestern Ethiopia, and southern Eritrea. This has delayed planting, reduced planting areas, and negatively impacted crops across the region. Though an increase in rainfall has been observed since the beginning of August, seasonal rainfall deficits have been sustained over many local areas.

2) Frequent and above-average rains over the past several weeks have resulted in large rainfall surpluses across far western West Africa. Additional heavy rains are forecast across Guinea Conakry and southern Mali during the next outlook period. This is likely to trigger new flooding and exacerbate ground conditions over many areas.

3) Since June, an insufficient and poorly-distributed rainfall has led to growing rainfall deficits across the Gulf of Guinea countries. The resulting dryness has reduced maize yields in Ghana and southern Togo and affected maize crops in southwestern Nigeria. Some relief is expected during the upcoming week, with increased shower activity.

4) Heavy amounts of precipitation in late August led to flooding across the northern Nigeria, and increased water discharges at the Kainji, Shiroro, and Jebba dams in the southern Kebbi, and Niger states of the country. This has elevated the risk for basin inundation along the Niger River for many local areas downstream.

Le conflit au Mali a déplacé plus de 330 000 personnes et a mis une pression importante sur des communautés vulnérables. Après avoir fourni des denrées alimentaires de base aux populations touchées par les conflits et la crise alimentaire, le PAM est maintenant entré dans une nouvelle phase d’assistance : un soutien financier aux plus démunis.

BAMAKO- Kadidja Traore, 42 ans, fait partie des milliers de déplacés du nord-Mali qui vivent maintenant à Bamako, la capitale. Kadidja a fui son domicile de Gao lorsque la crise a commencé. Elle a vendu les quelques animaux qu'elle possédait et pris la route de Bamako, avec 15 membres de sa famille. Elle a trouvé une famille d'accueil dans la capitale, mais, après un certain temps, cette famille a commencé à demander de l'argent pour le loyer.

N’ayant pas les moyens de payer la somme requise, la famille a dû déménager dans une petite maison faite de boue séchée, qu’elle pouvait certes occuper gratuitement, mais dans conditions d’hygiènes très sommaires. Rapidement, les enfants ont commencé à souffrir de troubles respiratoires.

Mais ce n'était pas le seul problème pour cette mère de famille. Comme elle n'avait pas d'argent pour payer le transport entre sa maison et le centre de distribution du PAM, Kadidja n’était pas toujours en mesure de rapporter chez elles les vivres pourtant vitaux pour sa famille.

Première étape vers un avenir meilleur

Aujourd’hui, Kadidja compte parmi les bénéficiaires des transferts monétaires inconditionnels du PAM, opération financée par l'Allemagne et mise en œuvre par l'ONG ACTED. Ce programme a pour objectif de soutenir financièrement les personnes déplacées et les familles-hôtes pour une période de six mois, afin de les aider à couvrir leurs besoins alimentaires.

«ACTED et le PAM nous ont donné suffisamment de nourriture pour survivre,» explique Kadidja. «Grâce à ces transferts de fonds, nous sommes désormais en mesure d'acheter et de préparer nous-mêmes les aliments, tout en entretenant l’espoir de bientôt rentrer chez nous.»

Amadou Djitteye, 37 ans, est originaire de la ville de Ménaka, situé dans le nord du pays, qui a été occupé par des groupes armés pendant près d'un an.

«Nous avons fui le 17 janvier 2013, lorsque les premiers combats ont commencé,» raconte-t-il. «Avec mes cinq enfants, nous avons trouvé une place dans un camion surpeuplé qui allait à Bamako. J'ai laissé tout ce que je possédais derrière moi, ma maison, et mon petit négoce de pièces détachées automobiles.»

Dans la capitale malienne le coût de la vie est très élevé. Pour Amadou, l'aide financière est essentielle, et c'est également la première étape vers un avenir meilleur. «Si la sécurité me le permet, je vais retourner à Menaka, redémarrer mon commerce, et reconstruire ma vie», espère-t-il.

Crise lente et invisible

«Leur situation demeure extrêmement précaire,» explique Nicolas Robe, Directeur de pays d’ACTED. «Financièrement parlant, certaines personnes ont dépassé le seuil d'urgence. La crise est lente et invisible.»

Le programme de transfert de fonds a été lancé à Bamako en juin 2013, puis à Mopti au mois d’août. Le PAM et son partenaire d'exécution pour la région de Mopti, Care Mali, vient en aide à plus 20 000 personnes déplacées et familles-hôtes.

Plus tard dans l’année, le PAM espère soutenir également les déplacés retournant vers Tombouctou et Gao.

«Ce programme devrait permettre aux familles d’avoir de quoi acheter des vivres correspondant à 2000 kilocalories par jour,» explique Sally Haydock, Directrice du PAM au Mali. «Dans le même temps, cette assistance leur permettra de protéger leurs propres revenus, tout en leur donnant accès à la nourriture dont ils ont besoin, avec un impact positif sur les marchés locaux.»

09/05/2013 12:52 GMT

Par Ahamadou CISSE, Serge DANIEL

BAMAKO, 5 septembre 2013 (AFP) - Le nouveau président malien Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, 68 ans, a prêté serment mercredi, fixant comme "priorité la plus pressante" de son mandat de cinq ans "la réconciliation nationale" dans son pays meurtri par 18 mois de crise politico-militaire.

Main droite levée, M. Keïta a lu le serment contenu dans la Constitution malienne devant la Cour suprême, lors d'une cérémonie organisée dans un centre de conférence de Bamako, battue par la pluie.

"Je jure devant Dieu et le peuple malien de préserver en toute fidélité le régime républicain, de respecter et de faire respecter la Constitution et la loi, de remplir mes fonctions dans l'intérêt supérieur du peuple, de préserver les acquis démocratiques, de garantir l'unité nationale, l'indépendance de la patrie et l'intégrité du territoire national", a-t-il dit, avant d'être officiellement installé dans ses nouvelles fonctions.

Puis dans son discours - commencé par des versets du Coran et parsemé de "Inch'Allah" (si Dieu le veut), formule récurrente dans son pays, musulman à 90% -, il a rendu un hommage appuyé à l'ex-président (1968-1991) Moussa Traoré, renversé par un coup d'Etat militaire, présent dans la salle et qui a eu droit à des applaudissements nourris. L'assistance comprenait plus de 1.000 personnes, dont des diplomates de plusieurs pays.

M. Keïta a aussi salué les autorités de transition, ainsi que les pays ayant fourni des troupes pour l'intervention militaire internationale initiée par la France à partir de janvier 2013 pour déloger les groupes jihadistes ayant occupé pendant plusieurs mois en 2012 le nord du Mali.

"La réconciliation nationale demeure la priorité la plus pressante" du quinquennat entamé mercredi, "je veux réconcilier les coeurs et les esprits. (...) Je veux rassembler toutes les composantes et toutes les générations de la société malienne", a-t-il déclaré.

L'investiture de M. Keïta boucle près de deux ans de soubresauts au Mali, après une crise débutée en janvier 2012 dans le Nord par une offensive de rebelles touareg, supplantés rapidement par des groupes criminels et islamistes armés liés à Al-Qaïda qui ont pris le contrôle de cette vaste région juste après un coup d'Etat militaire qui, le 22 mars 2012, a renversé le président Amadou Toumani Touré.

Les jihadistes ont laminé la rébellion touareg et l'armée malienne, commettant d'innombrables exactions avant d'être en grande partie chassés, à partir de janvier 2013, par l'intervention militaire franco-africaine toujours en cours. Le conflit a ravivé les tensions entre communautés touareg, arabes et noires, et provoqué le déplacement d'environ 500.000 personnes.

Lutte contre la corruption et l'impunité

En dépit de craintes sécuritaires, le pays a organisé sans incidents majeurs une présidentielle remportée au second tour le 11 août par M. Keïta.

Avant que M. Keïta ne prête serment, le procureur général Mahamadou Bouaré a estimé qu'il avait la mission complexe de ramener le Mali "à une vie démocratique normale", nécessitant notamment la réforme de l'armée, la restauration de l'autorité de l'Etat, la bonne gouvernance et la lutte contre les malversations financières.

Dans un communiqué, l'organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) l'a aussi exhorté à lutter contre la corruption et l'impunité.

L'investiture avait été précédée mercredi en début de matinée par une passation des pouvoirs au siège de la présidence, où Dioncounda Traoré, qui a dirigé la transition après le putsch de mars 2012, lui a officiellement transmis le témoin.

Ces 17 derniers mois, "nous avons passé des moments très intenses. Aujourd'hui, j'ai le sentiment du devoir bien accompli. (...) Je me sens très léger et très libre", a dit M. Traoré à la télévision publique malienne ORTM.

La France, qui était représentée à l'investiture par son ambassadeur à Bamako, Gilles Huberson, a félicité M. Keïta et assuré être "prête à (lui) apporter tout son soutien". Le prédécesseur de M. Huberson, Christian Rouyer, était également présent, invité "à titre personnel" par le nouveau président, selon l'entourage de M. Keïta.

Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, qui devrait nommer son Premier ministre dans les prochaines heures, peut aussi compter sur l'appui de la communauté internationale, qui a promis en mai dernier une aide massive de 3,2 milliards d'euros au Mali.

Une autre cérémonie pour marquer son élection est prévue le 19 septembre à Bamako, en présence de nombreux chefs d'Etat n'ayant pu effectuer le déplacement pour l'investiture.

bur-cs/mrb/mba/hba

© 1994-2013 Agence France-Presse

04 September 2013 - UNODC's latest report provides insight into some of Eastern Africa's principal transnational organized crime threats.

According to the report, more than 100,000 people were smuggled out of the region last year alone, generating over of $15 million for organized criminal networks operating on the maritime crossing from the Horn of Africa. Ivory poaching, which results in up to 154 metric tons being taken annually, led to an additional $30 million in illicit revenue just from Asian markets. Drugs are an increasingly lucrative illicit trade. Up to 22 tons of heroin are now trafficked to and through the region annually, with local consumption alone amounting to some $160 million a year. Finally Somali piracy was worth an estimated $150 million in 2011, equivalent to almost 15 per cent of the country's GDP. Throughout 2013, however, no successful hijackings for ransom have been made in the Somali area of operation, and this remarkable progress shows that even the largest crime problems can be countered through international cooperation.

The report - Transnational Organized Crime in Eastern Africa: A Threat Assessment - is aimed at highlighting the most pressing transnational organized crime threats facing the region. Looking at some of the key areas, this latest report focuses on four such concerns: migrant smuggling from Ethiopia and Somalia to Yemen and Saudi Arabia; heroin trafficking from South-West Asia to Eastern Africa; ivory trafficking through Eastern Africa to Asia; and Somali maritime piracy.

The role of transnational organized crime is evident in migrant smuggling. This is driven in part by high levels of conflict and poverty which have resulted in a large and vulnerable stream of migrants. Many of those trying to escape the situations they face are subjected to a range of abuses, including confinement, beatings, extortion and rape at multiple stages of their journey. In 2012 alone, more than 100,000 people paid smugglers to transport them across the Gulf of Aden or Red Sea to Yemen where their journey takes them onwards to Saudi Arabia, with the sea passage alone generating over $15 million for organized criminal networks.

Regional wildlife trafficking is also increasing, and Eastern Africa appears to be the main conduit through which illicit ivory is flowing. Recent research indicates that the rate of poaching in Eastern Africa has risen to levels that could significantly threaten the local elephant population. Between 5,600 and 15,400 elephants are poached in Eastern Africa annually, producing between 56 and 154 metric tons of illicit ivory. In 2011, two-thirds of this, or 37 tons, was destined for Asia, worth around $30 million.

The regional drug trade represents another core threat. While heroin has been trafficked to and through Eastern Africa since at least the 1980s, a series of recent large seizures suggests that this flow has increased. Between 2010 and 2012, more heroin was seized than in the previous 20 years and in the first five months of 2013, the seizures exceeded those of the total previous 24 months. Annually, as much as 22 tons is trafficked to the region. While it is estimated that at least 2.5 tons of this is consumed locally every year (worth some $160 million), the excess suggests substantial amounts are transited through the region, particularly to Southern and West Africa, and possibly beyond.

In 2011 Somali pirates reaped an estimated $150 million. In recent years, however, progress has been made in tackling this issue. International countermeasures have contributed to a dramatic decline in piracy. While in April 2009 pirates hijacked 16 ships, two years later this averaged less than one per month; in the first half of 2013 there were no successful hijackings for ransom in the Somali area. Effective intervention has also forced pirates to move further away from the coast: in 2005, the average successful pirate attack was 109 km from the Somali coast; in 2012, it was 746 km.

Further Information:

Previous Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessments

Report: Transnational Organized Crime in Eastern Africa: A Threat Assessment

UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa

FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT

• Below average 2013 “gu” cereal crops expected in central/southern areas following unfavourable rains, pest outbreaks and reduced planted area

• Off-season crop production forecast at above average levels

• Early start of the dry “hagaa” season (July to September) has negatively impacted on pasture and water availability in the north-east

• Prices of cereals declined in August in most markets Just over one million people are in need of humanitarian assistance (about two thirds are IDPs in settlements)

• Food security improved from end July with the start of harvest of 2013 “gu” crops

By Mabvuto Banda

LILONGWE, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Malawi plans to use the $15 million it gained from selling its presidential jet to feed the more than 1 million people suffering chronic food shortages, the Treasury said on Thursday.

Read the full report on AlertNet.

LES TITRES

• Léon Razafindrakoto, climatologue: «On craint beaucoup d’inondations dans la région sahélienne» (RFI, 31/08/13)

• La situation de la sécurité alimentaire au Sahel reste précaire (APO, 04/09/13)

• Les relations entre le Tchad et le système des Nations-Unies sont au beau fixe (Alwihda Info, 04/09/13)

• "Ten-fold rise" in new cases of malaria in Chad (BBC, 05/09/13)

• Au Cameroun, des réfugiés tchadiens ne veulent pas quitter un ancien camp (RFI, 05/09/13)

Highlights

· UNHCR released the Malian Level 2 registration data that have been collected between December 2012 and June 2013 in the 3 camps of Tillabéri region, the two sites of Tessaoua and Tassalite and the urban area of Niamey. According to UNHCR, as of 16 August 2013, 47,583 Malian refugees have been registered in Niger.

· Every week an average of 8,000 new cases of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) are admitted into therapeutic centres in Niger. This is comparable to average weekly admissions in 2012, during the same period.

· Figures from the national SMART nutrition survey conducted in May/June 2013 at national level reveal a global acute malnutrition (GAM) rate of 13.3 % and a severe acute malnutrition (SAM) rate of 2.6 % in 6-59 months children.

· As of 4 August, 215,180 children under five have been admitted into therapeutic centres for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) while another 290,796 have been receiving treatment for moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). Nutritional status is still under control but fragile given the increasing food prices observed due to, amongst others, political insecurity in neighbouring Mali and Nigeria and the beginning of the lean season.

· As of 15 August, a cumulative number of 432 cholera cases, including 10 deaths (with a case fatality rate of 2.31 percent) have been reported since the beginning of the epidemics on 10 May. With the support of its Donors (AECID, ECHO, UK Committee and CERF Secretariat), UNICEF and its operational partners (CISP, Solidarités International, MSF, COOPI, WHH, Samaritan’s Purse and WHO) are effectively responding to the epidemics.

· As of 15 August, following the declaration of the state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States in Nigeria, Southeastern Niger (Diffa region) has experienced an influx of an estimated 13,500 displaced persons from Northern Nigeria. The Government and humanitarian actors’ strategy is to increase the absorption capacity of the host communities affected by the influx by targeting the needs of the whole community while ensuring minimal distinction between refugees, returnees and local populations.

· According to OCHA, as of 21 August, further to heavy rainfalls all across the country, an approximate 3,015 households (24,234 people) have been affected by the flooding. 2,120 houses have been destroyed and 1672 hectares of land damaged. Joint need assessments (including government, UN agencies and NGOs) are still on-going in order to confirm these data.

09/05/2013 23:31 GMT

Par Serge DANIEL

BAMAKO, 5 septembre 2013 (AFP) - Le nouveau président malien Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta a nommé le banquier Oumar Tatam Ly comme Premier ministre jeudi, au lendemain de son investiture qui tourne la page de 18 mois de crise politico-militaire ayant divisé et meurtri le pays.

Jusqu'à récemment, M. Ly, 49 ans, était conseiller spécial du gouverneur de la Banque centrale des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (BCEAO), l'institut d'émission monétaire des huit pays formant l'Union économique et monétaire ouest-africaine (Uémoa).

Selon une source jointe jeudi par l'AFP à la BCEAO, qui a son siège à Dakar, il "a été déchargé de ses fonctions il y a quelques jours".

Il succède à Diango Cissoko, un administrateur civil qui a été Premier ministre du gouvernement de transition de décembre 2012 jusqu'au début de cette semaine. M. Ly doit entamer les consultations dans les prochaines heures pour former son gouvernement.

Né le 28 novembre 1963 à Paris, agrégé d'histoire et diplômé en économie, Oumar Tatam Ly - surnommé Thierno Ly par ses proches - est le fils d'Ibrahima Ly, homme de lettres aujourd'hui décédé, militant de gauche engagé et notamment auteur de deux retentissants livres: "Toiles d'araignées" et "Les noctuelles vivent de larmes".

Sa mère est Madina Tall Ly, diplomate qui fut ambassadeur sous le régime du président malien Alpha Oumar Konaré (1992-2002).

Après ses études, il a travaillé à la Banque mondiale, puis à la présidence malienne de 1992 à 1994, année où il a ensuite intégré la BCEAO, y engrangeant près de 20 ans d'expérience à divers postes.

Son entourage assure qu'il n'est membre d'aucun parti politique mais il a participé à l'élaboration du volet économique du programme du candidat Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, qui a brigué la présidence pour le compte du Rassemblement pour le Mali (RPM), un des principaux partis politiques maliens.

"Temps de réconciliation, de refondation et de reconstruction"

Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta a été élu le 11 août et a prêté serment mercredi, après une passation des pouvoirs avec le président de transition, Dioncounda Traoré.

Dans son discours, M. Keïta a énoncé plusieurs priorités pour son mandat de cinq ans, indiquant que "la plus pressante"à ses yeux est "la réconciliation nationale" après la crise politico-militaire qui a déchiré ce pays de quelque 15 millions d'habitants.

Cette crise avait débuté en janvier 2012 dans le Nord par une offensive de rebelles touareg, supplantés rapidement par des groupes criminels et islamistes armés liés à Al-Qaïda qui ont pris le contrôle de cette vaste région une semaine après un coup d'Etat militaire qui, le 22 mars 2012, a renversé le président Amadou Toumani Touré.

Les jihadistes ont ensuite laminé la rébellion touareg et l'armée malienne, commettant d'innombrables exactions avant d'être en grande partie chassés, à partir de janvier 2013, par une intervention militaire franco-africaine toujours en cours. Le conflit a ravivé les tensions entre communautés touareg, arabes et noires, et provoqué le déplacement d'environ 500.000 personnes.

En dépit de craintes sécuritaires, le pays a organisé sans incidents majeurs la présidentielle, globalement bien jugée par les observateurs nationaux et internationaux et saluée par de nombreux Etats et organisations.

S'il peut compter sur la communauté internationale qui a promis en mai une aide massive de 3,2 milliards d'euros au pays, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta devra s'atteler à une lourde tâche.

Dans son dernier message à la Nation en tant que président intérimaire, mardi soir, Dioncounda Traoré avait affirmé que M. Keïta "est, par la force des choses, le président d'un temps de défis complexes et multiformes, le président d'un temps de réconciliation, de refondation et de reconstruction".

"La demande sera grande quand l'offre, elle, restera hélas modeste, du fait des moyens réduits de notre pays mais aussi du fait des nouveaux besoins créés par notre crise", avait-il ajouté, en exhortant les Maliens à apporter leur soutien à la nouvelle équipe.

sd-cs/jr

© 1994-2013 Agence France-Presse

09/05/2013 20:59 GMT

by Serge Daniel

BAMAKO, September 5, 2013 (AFP) - Mali's new president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Thursday made 49-year-old banker Oumar Tatam Ly his prime minister, an official decree announced the day after Keita's investiture.

Ly, a career technocrat and the son of a celebrated writer, was until recently an adviser to the governor of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), based in the Senegalese capital Dakar.

He has little political experience and is expected to rely heavily on advisers as he heads an administration charged with leading the deeply-divided west African nation's emergence from months of political chaos and war.

Born in Paris, Ly read for France's highest teaching diploma from the prestigious Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, a masters degree in economic history from the Sorbonne and a diploma from ESSEC, one of Europe's top business schools based near the French capital.

He began his career at the World Bank before moving via the general secretariat of the president of Mali to an analyst role at the Central Bank of West African States in 1994.

He was given the role of director of studies at the bank and rose to the position of chief financial officer, a post which he held for six years before he was promoted to national director for Mali and then adviser to the governor.

Ly is the son of the late novelist and political activist Ibrahima Ly, who fled Mali after spending time in jail and complaining of being tortured under the regime of Malian military dictator Moussa Traore.

The new premier's mother, Madina Tall Ly, served as an ambassador under Alpha Oumar Konare, president of Mali during most of the 1990s.

The main task for Ly, a close confidant of Keita, will be to make good on the president's pledge when he was sworn in on Wednesday to unite Mali and end endemic corruption.

Mali's constitutional court confirmed Keita's landslide victory three weeks ago in the August 11 presidential run-off against former minister Soumaila Cisse after an election campaign focused on law, order and ending the culture of impunity in public office.

"I want to reconcile hearts and minds, restore true brotherhood between us so that all the different people can play their part harmoniously in the national symphony," Keita said.

His election in the first presidential polls since 2007 was seen as crucial for unlocking more than $4 billion in aid promised by international donors who halted contributions in the wake of a military coup last year.

Army officers angry at the level of support they had received to combat a separatist Tuareg rebellion in Mali's vast desert north overthrew the democratically-elected government of President Amadou Toumani Toure on March 22, 2012.

In the chaos that followed, the Tuareg seized control of an area larger than France before being ousted by Al-Qaeda-linked groups who imposed a brutal interpretation of Islamic law on the local population, carrying out amputations and executions.

Their actions drew worldwide condemnation and prompted France to launch a military offensive at Mali's behest to oust the Islamists in January.

The country's return to democracy has allowed France to begin withdrawing some of the 4,500 troops it had sent in.

Ly's in-tray over the coming months will include tackling an economy battered by conflict, as well as healing ethnic divisions in the north and managing the return of 500,000 people who fled the Islamist insurgency.

Corruption has tainted government institutions and the military in Mali since it gained independence from France in 1960 and the country remains in the bottom third of Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.

A 2012 report by the Washington-based think-tank the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Foundation spoke of "state complicity with organised crime" as the main factor enabling the rise of armed Islamist rebel groups in the north.

sd-cs/mrb/ft/bm

© 1994-2013 Agence France-Presse

Poor rainfall delays food security improvements in the north

KEY MESSAGES

• Some areas in the northern pastoral zones are still showing rainfall deficits due to the below-average levels of rainfall todate. However, seasonal forecasts are predicting average rainfall across the country, which should reverse current deficits, even the worst-off areas (Inchiri, Adrar, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, northern Tagant, and Tiris Zemmour), by late August. The expected improvement in pastoral conditions and rebound in agricultural activities should enable Minimal food insecurity (IPC Phase 1) by August/September.

• Poor households in the country’s most densely populated rural areas are currently in Minimal food insecurity (IPC Phase 1), bolstered by the rebound in seasonal farming and non-farming activities and average staple food availability.

• Retail markets are well-stocked with imported staple foods and locally grown cereals. Generally stable food prices, increasing livestock prices, continuing assistance programs, and access to agricultural income are helping to provide normal food availability and access for poor households.

Human Rights Council
Twenty-fourth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development

I. Introduction

1 . This paper is transmitted to the Human Rights Council at its 24th session in view of the oral update of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. The Special Representative will submit her annual report to the Council in March 2014 in accordance with the annual programme of work of the Council and General Assembly resolution 66/141.

2 . The update covers the period from June 2012 to July 2013. It seeks to provide an overview of the activities undertaken by the Special Representative in the fulfillment of her mandate and of the progress and challenges remaining on the children and armed conflict agenda.

II. Ongoing challenges for children in armed conflict

3 . The situation of children affected by armed conflict worldwide remains of serious concern. During the period under review, armed conflict not only continued to lead to violations of children’s rights to life and physical integrity, but also to deprive them of their basic economic, social and cultural rights. Blurred front lines and the absence of identifiable opponents, as well as the use of sophisticated warfare technologies, in many of today’s conflicts exacerbate the threats faced by children.

4 . National legal and policy frameworks to protect children, where they exist, still need to be translated into effective protection for children, and national accountability mechanisms strengthened. Lack of political will, limited capacities of national institutions, in particular of justice systems, and insufficient allocation or absence of resources and expertise to conduct investigations undermine efforts to combat impunity.

5 . During the period under review, children continued to be killed and maimed by the extensive use of explosive weapons in conflict, including in active combat and cross fire, by improvised explosive devices, rockets, land mines, unexploded ordnance and remnants of war, or by air strikes, including drone strikes. Recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups remained of concern in both emerging and protracted conflict situations. Furthermore, thousands of children continued to be abducted, subjected to sexual violence, denied humanitarian access and deprived of education and health care in many countries. Children were also arrested and detained either for their association with parties to conflict or for acts allegedly committed while associated with armed groups.

6 . In an increasing number of conflict situations, schools are used by armed forces and armed groups for military purposes, putting children at risk of attack and resulting in reduced enrolment and high dropout rates, especially among girls. Attacks on schools and hospitals, as well as looting of these institutions, in situations of conflict remain widespread and alarming. Education and medical personnel are often victims of threats, targeted killings and abductions in a number of conflict situations.

Highlights

• The final round of crop estimates published in August 2013 does not foresee a production surplus. If this assumption remains correct, the food security situation could become even more critical than expected by MVAC, and more people will be food insecure towards the lean season.

• The inflation rate in the country is currently standing at 25.2 percent and the market prices for basic food commodities are continuing to increase.

• Most of the humanitarian interventions in the upcoming emergency response are recommended to be in-kind based, however about 22 Traditional Authorities out of 100 were identified as suitable for cash intervention. Despite that, further macro level analysis is still under process since there is the concern that the low availability of maize and the continuing increase of market prices in the country can be serious limitations for the cash based response.

• After a late start, rains have allowed crops to develop

• Prices remain high in the Sahel particularly in Niger, Nigeria, Benin, Mali and Burkina Faso

• The lean season continues, and the poorest households face difficulties accessing adequate food

Executive Summary

Mauritania had not fully recovered from the food price crisis of 2008 when an exceptionally severe drought struck the Sahel region in 2011-2012. The combination of poor harvests, high food prices and loss of livestock left much of the population severely food insecure. The conflict in Mali in 2012 exacerbated the crisis, disrupting food imports and triggering an influx of refugees. In mid-2012, during the peak lean season, almost a third of Mauritania’s population of 3.6 million were food insecure - the highest ever recorded.

Global acute malnutrition prevalence among children 6-59 months was 12 percent (“serious”), with certain areas beyond 15 percent and considered “critical”. By December 2012, 17 percent of Mauritanian households remained food-insecure.

Despite a relatively good 2012/2013 harvest and improved food availability, agricultural production remains insufficient to meet the country’s food requirements. Communities remain weakened by the cumulative shocks of previous crises. Food security monitoring indicates that 800,000 people will be food-insecure by July 2013.

This protracted relief and recovery operation builds upon the assistance provided under emergency operation 200333 (February 2012 - April 2013) and supports a transition towards a more comprehensive resilience strategy. It is aligned to the 2013 Consolidated Appeal and to WFP’s Strategic Objectives 1 and 3. The PRRO aims to contribute to building reliable and predictable social safety nets in order to strengthen populations’ resistance to future crises and prevent relapse, with the following specific objectives:

• Reduce moderate acute malnutrition among children 6-59 months and pregnant and lactating women through targeted supplementary feeding

• Prevent acute malnutrition among children 6-24 months through blanket supplementary feeding.

• Improve the food security and livelihoods of the most vulnerable households by rebuilding economic, agricultural and environmental assets through food assistance for assets.

• Support the livelihoods of most vulnerable populations in urban areas through skills training.

FAITS SAILLANTS ET PERSPECTIVES

• Les importants déstockages opérés par les producteurs au cours du mois de juin, se sont estompés à cause de la baisse de la demande et des inquiétudes suscitées par deux facteurs : pauses pluviométriques observées lors de la première décade de juillet et la présence des déprédateurs (sautereaux observée dans les champs).
• La tendance haussière des prix des céréales locales sèches s’est estompée. Les prix accusent de légères baisses (1 à 3%) par rapport à juin 2013 et importantes (entre 12 et 25 %) par rapport à leur niveau annuel de juillet 2012. En revanche, ces prix restent supérieurs (de 2 à 12 %) aux moyennes quinquennales.
• Les prix des légumineuses ont connu des fortunes diverses. Par rapport au mois de juin 2013, les prix aussi bien de l’arachide coque que de l’arachide décortiquée ont accusé des baisses (1 à 9 %). En comparaison à leur niveau annuel, il a été noté des baisses notables du niébé (13 à 27 %), de l’arachide décortiquée (23 à 29 %), tandis que le prix de l’arachide coque a augmenté entre 5 et 19 %. Ces prix restent supérieurs aux moyennes des cinq dernières années.
• Le dernier conseil national de la consommation, tenu en fin juillet, a réitéré les mesures d’homologation des prix des principales denrées (riz, huile, sucre) et en a ajouté le lait en poudre.

Découvrez la vidéo dans laquelle Aristide, ancien responsable technique nutrition sur la mission Tchad de PU-AMI, revient sur les conséquences de la malnutrition et les activités mises en œuvre par PU-AMI pour lutter contre cette endémie.

La région Est du Tchad a accueilli ces dix dernières années plus de 240 000 réfugiés soudanais et plus de 170 000 déplacés internes. Les populations d’accueil, déjà vulnérables, ont été fragilisées par cette concentration démographique sur un territoire aux ressources naturelles limitées.

Bien que la situation politico-sécuritaire se soit stabilisée, la région continue à être affectée par des chocs récurrents (sécheresse, attaques de criquets) venant accentuer la fragilité du système socio-économique. Les mauvaises récoltes de 2011 ont notamment entraîné une sévère augmentation de la malnutrition dans la région du Ouaddaï, le taux dépassant largement le seuil d’urgence défini par l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé.

Comprenant une composante médicale, la stratégie de PU-AMI est centrée sur une approche intégrée de lutte contre la malnutrition, incluant prise en charge des cas de malnutrition aiguë et la lutte contre ses déterminants.

Food Assistance for Refugees in Malawi

Malawi has been hosting refugees for over two decades. This is mainly due to political instability and social unrest in the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa regions. Prolonged conflicts in countries from these regions have resulted in a continued flow of refugees into the country.

Through protracted relief and recovery operation 200460, WFP plans to continue to provide assistance to an estimated 23,400 camp-based refugees mainly from Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Somalia.

In addition, host communities will be targeted with food assistance for assets during the lean season between October and March. According to the 2012 Joint Assessment Mission conducted by the Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees, WFP and the Government of Malawi, WFP-supplied food represents, on average, as much as 75 percent of food consumed by refugees, confirming that most refugees are heavily reliant on external food assistance.

Government restrictions on freedom of movement, local integration and wage-earning opportunities have a negative impact on the refugees’ ability to become self-reliant.

In 2012, the Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees and WFP carried out a feasibility study on cash and voucher-based assistance. The study found that due to a lack of structured market activities to support cash or voucher-based assistance programmes, in-kind food assistance remains the only suitable transfer modality for the refugee programme.

The operation will therefore continue provision of food assistance to refugees through general food distributions in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp and at the Karonga TransitShelter, while introducing specialized nutrition products to address micronutrient deficiencies.

The operation will also seek to address massive deforestation around Dzaleka Camp due to excessive cooking fuel demands of the camp population.