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Mali: Mali : 3W - Présence Opérationnelle - Novembre 2013 (Cercle)

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Source: World Food Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization
Country: Mali
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World: Food Assistance Outlook Brief December 2013

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Source: Famine Early Warning System Network
Country: Afghanistan, Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tajikistan, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, World, Yemen, Zimbabwe, South Sudan (Republic of)
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PROJECTED FOOD ASSISTANCE NEEDS FOR JUNE 2014

Summary

This brief summarizes FEWS NET’s most forward-looking analysis of projected emergency food assistance needs in FEWS NET coverage countries. The projected size of each country’s acutely food insecure population is compared to last year and the recent five-year average. Countries where external emergency food assistance needs are anticipated are identified. Projected lean season months highlighted in red indicate either an early start or an extension to the typical lean season. Additional information is provided for countries with large food insecure populations, an expectation of high severity, or where other key issues warrant additional discussion.

Central African Republic: West and Central Africa Humanitarian Bulletin December 2013

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal
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HIGHLIGHTS

  • One out of five people in the Central African Republic have fled their homes

  • Violence in Bangui causes over 200,000 new IDPs in December

  • Some 10,000 Nigerians have fled violence in the Northeast to neighboring countries

  • So far in 2013, 2.5 million people received agriculture assistance in the Sahel

  • 4.8 million children under five in the Sahel expected to suffer from Global Acute Malnutrition in 2014

  • In 2013, floods have affected more than half a million people in West and Central Africa

  • To date, the Sahel has received 59 per cent ($1.04 billion) of the USD$1.71 billion requested

Nigeria: Nigeria Price Bulletin December 2013

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Source: Famine Early Warning System Network
Country: Nigeria
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Sorghum, maize, millet, cowpea, gari (fermented cassava starch), and rice are all found in Nigerian markets. Sorghum, millet and maize are widely consumed by most households, but especially in the north, and are used by various industries. Maize is mainly used by the poultry industry as a raw material for feed while sorghum is used by breweries for producing beverages. Sorghum and millet are important for households in the north, particularly the border markets where millet is also heavily traded with Niger. Gari is widely consumed by households in the south and some in the north. Rice is produced and consumed throughout the country. The north is a major production and consumption area for cowpea which flows to the south for use by households and food processing industries. Ilela, Maidua, and Damasak are all critical cross-border markets with Niger. Saminaka, Giwa, Dandume, and Kaura are important grain markets in the north, which are interconnected with the Dawanu market in Kano, the largest wholesale market in West Africa, and some southern markets such as the Bodija market in Ibadan. Millet, sorghum, maize, and cowpea are among the most important cereals traded at Dawanu, while cassava and some cereals are traded with Bodija.

Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso: CAP 2013 - Suivi des Financements au 27 décembre 2013

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Burkina Faso
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Niger: Niger: 2013 en revue (décembre 2013)

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Mali, Niger, Nigeria
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En 2013, la situation humanitaires a été caractérisée par les défis ci après: l'insécurité alimentaire et la la malnutrition, les épidémies, les mouvements de population à la fois des pays voisins vers le Niger en raison de questions de sécurité régionale, ainsi que la migration interne. En outre, les catastrophes naturelles telles que les inondations ont fait des milliers de personnes sinistrées ayant perdu leurs abris et leurs exploitations agricoles.

Les faits marquants de l’année 2013 au plan humanitaire sont:

Chad: Sahel Crisis 2013: Funding Status as of 27 December 2013

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal
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Mali: West Africa Price Bulletin December 2013

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Source: Famine Early Warning System Network
Country: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo
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West Africa can be divided into three agro-ecological zones or three different trade basins (West Basin, Central Basin and East Basin). Both important for understanding market behavior and dynamics.

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

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


Malawi: Malawi Price Bulletin December 2013

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Source: Famine Early Warning System Network
Country: Malawi
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Maize, rice, and cassava are the most important food commodities. Markets selected represent the entire geographic length of the country: two markets in each of the north, center, and south. In the north, Karonga is one of the most active markets in maize and rice and is influenced by informal cross-border trade with Tanzania.
Mzimba is a major maize producing area in the northern region. Salima, in the center along the lake, is an important market where some of the fishing populations are almost entirely dependent on the market for staple cereals. Mitundu is a very busy peri-urban market in Lilongwe. In the south, the Lunzu market is the main supplier of food commodities such as maize and rice for Blantyre. The Bangula market in Nsanje district was chosen to represent the Lower Shire area, covering Chikwawa and Nsanje districts.

Mali: Mali's government presents treason case against former president

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Source: Reuters - AlertNet
Country: Mali

By Adama Diarra

BAMAKO, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Mali's government said on Friday it had presented to the country's highest court a case for high treason against former President Amadou Toumani Toure, who was toppled in a coup d'etat last year.

A communique from the prime minister's office said the case before the National Assembly accused Toure of failing in his duty as commander of Mali's armed forces to prevent foreign forces from seizing national terrority.

Read the full report on AlertNet

Chad: UNICEF Chad Monthly Humanitarian Situation Report - November, 2013

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Source: UN Children's Fund
Country: Central African Republic, Chad, Nigeria, Sudan
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Highlights:

  • Since March 2013, 30,000 Sudanese refugees and 22,000 Chadian returnees have been registered in and around the eastern remote and border town of Tissi (in more than 18 sites). The region is characterized by chronic instability since 2004. UNICEF is conducting emergency interventions in all sectors. A Field Antenna has been set up in Tissi.

  • The influx of refugees from CAR continues as a result of the political and security instability in CAR. Currently, 4,243 new CAR refugees have settled in the existing Dosseye camp. UNICEF conducted an assessment in Education sector.

  • Since April 2013, the Lac Region has recorded an influx of 1,200 Chadian returnees and Nigerian refugees fleeing conflict in North Eastern Nigeria.

  • From January to October a total of 123,292 Severe Acute Malnutrition new admissions have been registered, representing 83,9% of the 147,000 admissions expected in 2013. In October the level of new admissions is stable: 13,434 cases compare to 14,129 in September.

  • Results from the August SMART Survey in the 11 regions of the Sahel Belt show a prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) above 15% in 6 regions.

  • Malaria cases trend is globally downward during the week 46 (25.059 suspected cases and 41 deaths). A total of 887,743 suspected malaria cases were notified since the beginning of the year. The Country Malaria Outbreak Response Plan has been validated. C4D activities are on going.

  • From 3 to 13th November, UNICEF Media Team from South Africa joined the team in Chad to produce three media pieces on UNICEF Chad emergency programs and activities: (i) UNICEF response in Tissi, (ii) UNICEF responses to the nutrition crisis and (iii) UNICEF Immunization programs in Chad.

Nigeria: Mothers in Nigeria participate in biannual event for maternal and child health

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Source: UN Children's Fund
Country: Nigeria

By Roar Bakke Sørensen

Mothers in Nigeria are keen to participate in a week’s worth of activities that complement routine health services with a package of interventions proven to boost their own health and help their babies survive and thrive.

ABUJA, Nigeria, 20 December 2013 – Josephine Oga is pregnant with her second child. Today, she has come to Otukpo, in Benue State, to attend Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week. She’s collecting medicine, as well as nets that have been treated with insecticide.

“[The nets] are important for my baby and me because of the mosquitoes,” she says.

“I have learned so many things here today about how a mother should take of her baby – and how a pregnant woman should protect herself from disease,” she adds.

A week of care for mother and baby

Maternal Newborn Child Health Week is a biannual event. The Week aims to deliver a package of basic interventions that are highly effective in reducing child mortality and improving mother and child health.

The Week’s interventions complement routine health services by ensuring that basic care reaches all mothers and children. The services and supplies provided, among others, are vitamin A supplements, routine immunizations, deworming tablets, screening for malnutrition – and the long-lasting insecticide-treated nets that Ms. Oga has come to collect for her family.

Vitamin A is important for the growth of human cells. This year, Maternal Newborn Child Health Week targeted 19.2 million children with vitamin A supplements, provided by UNICEF.

By the time the first round had been completed, 19,224,391 million children had been given the supplements.

Mothers take charge

The Week features antenatal care for expectant mothers like Ms. Oga. The event also provides information on the importance of such key practices as exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, family planning and hygiene, among other activities.

Mothers like Ms. Oga and Messi Anegi praise the programme – its information, activities, care and health supplies. This year, Ms. Anegi attended with her 3-year-old daughter and newborn son.

“When I gave birth to my first child,” she recalls, “we came around for immunization – and, today, that child is very healthy…[T]hat is why I am here for immunization.”

Ms. Messi talks about how she has absorbed information she gathered from the Week’s awareness-raising activities into her own practices.

For example, she says, “Breastfeeding is very important. My first daughter is healthy because I breastfed her.

“And I have learned more about breastfeeding – and they have been talking much about breastfeeding today, and I even read from books about breastfeeding. It makes babies strong and healthy,” she says.

Learn more about UNICEF’s activities in Nigeria.

Updated: 23 December 2013

Djibouti: Oman sends medical aid to Djibouti

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Source: Government of Oman
Country: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia

The Sultanate of Oman has sent humanitarian aid to for the drought-hit people of Djibouti. The aid items included 42 tonnes of medicines, two ambulances, 20 tonnes of medical equipments, including X-rays, ultrasound and ECG machines among other things. Omani authorities have had discussion with Djibouti officials about the needs of their people and Omani aid is designed to address Djibouti requirements, Ali Ibrahim Shenoon al Raisi, Executive Chairman, Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO), told the Observer. Children are particularly vulnerable to the impact of the drought. Water scarcity continues to persist in many locations, particularly in Djibouti city and the north western part of the country.

Dependence on food assistance remains high and more than 60 per cent of household’s food supply is derived from food assistance. The nutrition situation remains worrying in Djibouti, with 20 per cent of under-five children suffering from acute malnutrition, including five per cent who suffer from severe acute malnutrition. Epidemics have also emerged with more than 600 cases of measles reported between January and August 2012, as well as seasonal acute water diarrhoea, mainly in Djibouti city and Dikhil. An estimated 210,000 people are in need of humanitarian assistance: 120,000 people in rural areas; 60,000 in urban areas; and 30,000 refugees from Somalia and Ethiopia.

Omani officials say these conditions are difficult for anyone to see, thus prompting many countries to send humanitarian aid for the people of Djibouti. Oman’s humanitarian aid actions in Djibouti are aimed at reducing people’s vulnerability to droughts and climate-caused disasters. This is being achieved by increasing communities’ resilience to respond better to upcoming crises. The Omani authorities also work on improving the food situation in the country as well as on fighting malnutrition and malnutrition-related diseases. Since 2005, Djibouti is increasingly suffering from water scarcity due to poor rains. This has led to a reduction of water sources and pasture for livestock. As a result the country has faced serious food deficits.

Mali: The ETC in Mali establishes and maintains essential communications services so that the relief community has the support to do what is does best - save lives.

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Source: World Food Programme, Emergency Telecommunications Cluster
Country: Mali
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The Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) is a network of organizations that work together to provide shared communications services in humanitarian emergencies. UN agencies and programmes, NGOs, Stand-by Partners, government and other humanitarian organizations partner with the ETC to fulfil its mandate and objectives.

The ETC has been activated in Mali in response to fighting which broke out in early 2012 between the national forces and armed groups in northern Mali. The conflict triggered a political crisis, plunging the West African country into violence and displacing hundreds of thousands of people. The ETC is providing security and data communications services to the humanitarian community responding to this crisis.

Achievements

  • Provision of security telecommunications services to the humanitarian community in Bamako, Gao, Mopti and Timbuktu.

  • Provision of free data connectivity and voice telephony services to the humanitarian community in Mopti, Timbuktu and Gao, using the ETC Response Solution with equipment contributed by emergency.lu, Ericsson Response and the World Food Programme (WFP).

  • Increased standard of radio protocol and procedures across the humanitarian community for security and safety of staff, through delivery of Radio Training.

  • Increased radio security through allocation of new HF/VHF radio frequencies by government authorities. The ETC is also assisting relief organizations with reprogramming existing radio equipment.

Planned Activities

  • ETC activities are required into 2014 and will be extended provided the necessary funding is received. Activities will likely involve continued support in current locations, trainings and potential deployment to additional locations.

Mali: Le Mali se redresse et renoue avec les réformes au sortir de la crise sécuritaire

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Source: International Monetary Fund
Country: Mali

Milan Cuc

Département Afrique du FMI

30 décembre 2013

  • Le Mali se remet de la pire des crises sécuritaires et politiques de son histoire récente

  • Réconciliation, reprise, et réduction de la pauvreté : priorités des dépenses publiques

  • Le pays bénéficie directement de l’amélioration de la situation sécuritaire de la région

L’économie malienne se redresse, avec le retour progressif de l’aide des bailleurs de fonds et de la confiance des investisseurs au sortir de la pire crise politique et sécuritaire que le pays ait connue dans son histoire récente.

Le nouveau prêt de 46 millions de dollars du FMI appuie le programme de réformes structurelles qui vise à promouvoir une croissance robuste propre à faire reculer la pauvreté.

Le 18 décembre dernier, le Conseil d’administration du FMI a approuvé un nouvel accord en faveur du Mali au titre de la facilité élargie de crédit pour un montant de 46,2 millions de dollars. Cette décision a ouvert la voie à un décaissement immédiat de 9,2 millions de dollars.

Le Mali connaît une croissance démographique rapide et présente un potentiel en grande partie inexploité. Les priorités de longue date consistent à accélérer la croissance et la création d’emplois et à faire reculer sensiblement la pauvreté grâce à une croissance partagée. La mise en valeur du potentiel du Mali nécessitera de gros investissements, non seulement dans les infrastructures, mais aussi dans l’éducation et la santé de la population, la principale richesse du pays.

Crise sécuritaire et politique

Au début de 2012 des groupes insurgés ont pris le contrôle du nord du pays et en mars 2012 un coup d’État militaire a déstabilisé la situation politique. Les perspectives se sont améliorées après l’intervention militaire dirigée par la France au début de 2013. Cette intervention a chassé les rebelles des villes du nord et permis au gouvernement de commencer à rétablir son contrôle sur l’ensemble du territoire.

Depuis, les progrès enregistrés dans la normalisation politique ont été encourageants : le bon déroulement de l’élection présidentielle, la formation du nouveau gouvernement et les élections législatives ont démontré le ferme attachement du Mali à sa tradition démocratique.

Le Mali était un des pays les plus performants d’Afrique durant les dix années qui ont précédé 2012. Il pouvait s’enorgueillir d’un robuste taux de croissance moyen d’environ 5,5 % entre 2001 et 2011 — bien supérieur aux 3,9 % de moyenne de l’Union économique et monétaire ouest-africaine (UEMOA).

Accalmie dans la région

Le Mali devrait bénéficier d’une conjoncture extérieure relativement stable à court terme. Les perspectives de la région sont favorables. L’Afrique subsaharienne devrait continuer d’afficher une croissance robuste, alimentée par de solides investissements dans l’infrastructure et la capacité de production et par un volume grandissant d’investissements directs étrangers et d’autres types de financement.

L’embellie est particulièrement notable dans le voisinage du Mali, l’UEMOA, au sein de laquelle la Côte d’Ivoire travaille dur pour regagner le terrain perdu après des années de conflit civil. Le Mali profite directement de l’amélioration de la situation sécuritaire en Côte d’Ivoire, car une très grande part de ses échanges transite par Abidjan. En outre, encouragés par le rétablissement de la stabilité politique et sécuritaire et par les bons résultats du gouvernement avec l’appui de deux prêts totalisant 33,8 millions de dollars au titre de la facilité de crédit rapide en janvier et juin 2013, les bailleurs de fonds se sont engagés à mobiliser 4,4 milliards de dollars pour accompagner la reprise que commence à connaître le Mali.

Des avancées dans la lutte contre la pauvreté

Le Mali est aussi l’un des pays d’Afrique subsaharienne qui a progressé le plus sur la voie des Objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement (OMD), établis par l’ONU pour combattre la pauvreté. Entre 2001 et 2011 :

• le taux de scolarisation primaire a augmenté de 4 à 7 enfants sur 10;

• le taux d’alphabétisation des jeunes hommes et femmes a doublé;

• le taux de mortalité infantile a été réduit presque de moitié;

• et enfin, des progrès importants ont été accomplis sur le front de la pauvreté, qui, certes, reste encore élevée.

Dans l’immédiat, le Mali a une double priorité : gérer les conséquences de la crise de 2012 et renouer avec le programme de réformes structurelles interrompu par cette crise. Pour atteindre le premier objectif il faudra avancer dans la réconciliation entre le nord et le sud, améliorer la gouvernance et consolider la reprise qui commence à se dessiner.

Outre qu’il débloquera l’accès aux concours financiers du FMI, le nouvel accord au titre de la facilité élargie de crédit jouera un rôle catalyseur en permettant de mobiliser un soutien plus vaste de la communauté des bailleurs de fonds. Les revues dont feront l’objet à intervalle régulier les résultats du programme appuyé par le FMI devraient rassurer les bailleurs de fonds quant à la qualité des politiques économiques mises en œuvre. Le vaste soutien que devraient apporter les bailleurs de fonds est appelé à atténuer les tensions budgétaires à court terme (voir graphique).

Trois grandes priorités

Il importe de souligner que l’accord de prêt aidera à promouvoir les politiques capables de relever les défis auxquels se heurte aujourd’hui le Mali. Le programme budgétaire de 2014 contribue à la stabilité macroéconomique en continuant à aligner les dépenses sur les recettes. La composition des dépenses publiques traduit les grandes priorités : réconciliation nationale, reprise et réduction de la pauvreté.

Pour accélérer le rythme des investissements publics dont le pays a grand besoin, le gouvernement dégagera dans le budget une plus grande marge de manœuvre en matière de dépenses. Pour ce faire, il mobilisera davantage de recettes fiscales grâce à des réformes de la politique et de l’administration fiscales et de la tarification et fiscalité des carburants et il accroîtra l’efficience de la dépense grâce à des réformes de la gestion des finances publiques.

Le gouvernement entend également prendre des mesures pour améliorer le climat des affaires. Au Mali, les entreprises se heurtent à un des environnements les plus difficiles au monde, et il devient donc prioritaire d’agir sur ce front, notamment en combattant la corruption, en facilitant l’accès à la finance et en améliorant la qualité des biens publics, tels que l’infrastructure d’éducation, de transport et d’irrigation, l’approvisionnement en électricité et le système judiciaire.

Le partenariat entre le FMI et le Mali ne se limite pas aux concours financiers ou aux conseils de politique économique. Au fil des ans, le Mali a utilisé activement l’assistance technique du FMI. Dernièrement, grâce à l’amélioration de la situation sécuritaire, le FMI a intensifié son assistance technique dans les domaines des finances publiques, de la gestion de la dette, des statistiques et du secteur financier.


Mali: Mali on the Mend as Reforms Resume after Security Crisis

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Source: International Monetary Fund
Country: Mali

By Milan Cuc

IMF African Department

December 30, 2013

  • Mali emerging from worst security, political crisis in its recent history

  • Public spending to focus on reconciliation, recovery, poverty reduction

  • Country now benefits directly from improved regional security situation

Mali’s economy is on the mend, with donor assistance and business confidence gradually returning after the worst security and political crisis in the West African country’s recent history.

Mali’s new $46 million IMF loan supports a structural reform agenda that aims to strengthen the foundations for robust, poverty-reducing growth.

The IMF’s Executive Board approved December 18 a new arrangement for Mali under the Extended Credit Facility for $46.2 million. The approval enabled the immediate disbursement of $9.2 million.

Mali has a fast growing population and largely untapped potential. Long-standing priorities are to strengthen economic fundamentals to accelerate growth and job creation, and to make a meaningful dent in poverty by ensuring that growth is inclusive. Unlocking Mali’s potential will require significant investment not only in infrastructure but also in the country’s biggest asset—its people—through education and health.

Security, political crisis

In early 2012 insurgents took control of northern Mali, and a military coup in March 2012 destabilized the country’s political situation. Prospects have been improving following the French-led military intervention in early 2013, which drove the rebels out of the towns in northern Mali and allowed the government to start restoring control over the entire territory.

Since then, progress in political normalization has been encouraging: a successful presidential election, formation of the new government, and legislative elections have demonstrated Mali’s commitment to its democratic tradition.

Mali was one of Africa’s strong performers in the ten years preceding 2012. The economy boasted a robust growth rate of about 5.5 percent on average between 2001 and 2011—well above the average for West African Economic and Monetary Union members of 3.9 percent.

Calmer neighborhood

Mali is expected to benefit from relatively stable external conditions in the near term. The region’s prospects are favorable. Sub-Saharan Africa is set to enjoy continued robust growth driven by strong investment in infrastructure and productive capacity, and by rising inflows of foreign direct investment and other financing opportunities.

The improvement in Mali’s neighborhood—within the West African Economic and Monetary Union—is particularly significant, with Cote d’Ivoire working hard to recover the ground lost after years of civil strife. Mali benefits directly from improvement in the security situation in Cote d’Ivoire, as much of its trade moves through Abidjan. In addition, encouraged by the restoration of political stability and security and by the good performance of the government’s policies supported by two loans totaling $33.8 million under the IMF’s Rapid Credit Facility in January and June 2013, donors have pledged $4.4 billion in support of Mali’s nascent recovery.

Progress against poverty

Mali was also one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa that made the most progress toward the United Nations’ poverty-fighting Millennium Development Goals. Between 2001 and 2011

• Primary school enrolment increased, with 7 out of every 10 children enrolled compared with 4 out of 10 in 2001;

• Literacy rates were doubled for both youth males and females;

• Child mortality was almost halved; and

• Important strides were made in reducing admittedly still high poverty.

Mali’s immediate priority is twofold: deal with the legacy of the 2012 crisis, and resume the structural reform agenda that was interrupted by the crisis. Meeting the first objective will require advancing reconciliation between the south and the north of the country, improving governance, and consolidating the nascent recovery.

Besides unlocking access to IMF financial support, Mali’s new Extended Credit Facility arrangement will act as a catalyst for mobilizing broader donor support. Regular IMF program performance reviews should give the necessary reassurance to donors on the quality of domestic economic policies. The expected large donor support should help alleviate the country’s fiscal pressures in the near term (see chart).

Three key priorities

Importantly, the loan arrangement will help promote policies that respond to Mali’s current challenges. The 2014 fiscal program contributes to macroeconomic stability by keeping expenditures in line with revenues. The composition of public spending reflects the key priorities—national reconciliation, recovery, and poverty reduction.

To accelerate the pace of much-needed public investment, the government will create more room for spending in its budgets. It will do so by: mobilizing tax revenue through reforms of tax policy and tax administration, and a reform of fuel pricing and taxation; and by improving efficiency of spending through public financial management reforms.

The government will also take steps to improve the business environment. Entrepreneurs face one of the world’s most challenging business environments in Mali, and improving the business climate thus becomes a priority. Action areas include: combating corruption; increasing access to finance; and improving the quality of public goods, such as education, transport and irrigation infrastructure, power supply, and the judicial system.

The IMF’s partnership with Mali involves more than financial support and policy advice. Mali has been an active user of IMF technical assistance over the years. Most recently, since the improvement in the security situation allowed it, the IMF has intensified technical assistance in public finance, debt management, statistics, and the financial sector.

Mali: La MINUSMA et la force SERVAL neutralisent 5,7 tonnes d'explosifs dans le nord du Mali

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Source: UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali
Country: Mali

Bamako, le 30 décembre 2013 – Les 28 et 29 décembre, le bataillon tchadien de la MINUSMA et son détachement de liaison et d’appui (DLA) de la force SERVAL ont mis à jour deux importantes caches d'armes et de munitions situées à environ 150 km au sud-ouest de Tessalit.

Cette découverte qui a permis la destruction de 5,7 tonnes de nitrate d’ammonium et d'une quarantaine de grenades, porte un nouveau coup sévère aux ressources des groupes terroristes.

C'est en effet la deuxième plus importante découverte d'explosifs cette année au Mali.

Etablie le 1er juillet 2013, la MINUSMA a notamment pour rôle d'écarter les menaces et de prendre activement des dispositions afin d’empêcher le retour d’éléments armés en particulier dans le nord du pays.

Niger: CAP Niger 2013 – Aperçu des financements du CAP 2013 au 31-Déc-2013

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Niger
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Avec 81% des financements mobilisés au 31 Décembre, l’Appel global 2013 du Niger de l’ordre $ 355 millions est l’un des mieux financés au monde cette année en se retrouvant 2 eme dans la sous-région du Sahel derrière la Mauritanie (83 %) loin devant le Tchad (58 %), le Mali et le Burkina avec 55 %. Cependant, il reste que le niveau de financement de certains secteurs ne permet pas aux acteurs humanitaires d’apporter une réponse telle que planifiée dans le cadre de l’appel. Trois des dix secteurs d’activités, dont l’Education, l’Eau, hygiène et assainissement et la Protection n’ont pas encore mobilisé 50% des financements demandés.

Sur les $286 millions mobilisés, le Fonds central pour les urgences humanitaires (CERF) a accordé en $ 14,3 millions pour les urgences sous-financés ainsi que pour la réponse rapide aux situations d’urgence. Près de 90% du financement total ont été mobilisés par les agences du système des Nations-Unies qui travaillent en partenariat avec les ONG et les services étatiques.

Mali: Mali : 3W Présence opérationelle et programme - Qui fait, Quoi, Où (31 décembre 2013)

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Mali
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Lesotho: Helping hungry families in Lesotho

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Source: British Red Cross
Country: Lesotho

The British Red Cross provided help to an emergency appeal in Lesotho, where nearly three quarters of a million people were in desperate need of food.

Faced with a chronic food shortage affecting more than 725,000 people, the government of Lesotho declared a state of emergency in August 2012.

The Lesotho Red Cross launched an emergency appeal and, thanks to support from people like you, we contributed £69,000. We also sent a member of staff to help.

Causes and response

The situation became chronic in 2012 when more rainfall than usual affected crops.

Households across five districts – Mokhotlong, Thaba-Tseka, Kena, Mafeteng and Quthing – faced hunger and were given support in two ways: food distribution and land conservation activities.

The Lesotho Red Cross gave food to people and organised a scheme called food-for-work, distributing vegetable crop seeds between households in each of the affected districts.

The scheme also offered training in disaster preparedness, farming and climate change, food preservation and seed production.

This training was offered to Lesotho Red Cross volunteers, care workers, lead farmers and community members. Some 5,700 forest trees were also planted to prevent further soil erosion.

The people who were most vulnerable and had an interest in farming were chosen to take part in the project. Community members who were unable to take part due to illness or schooling were given food instead.

Continuing need

The food-for-work scheme was considered a success by community members and leaders.

Although the emergency operation came to an end in July 2013, we are working with the Lesotho Red Cross on a long-term HIV and food security programme, which aims to address the wider needs of communities vulnerable to high levels of HIV and food insecurity.

Ben Webster, disaster response programme manager, said: “Hundreds of thousands of people in Lesotho were in desperate need of food support as a result of adverse conditions that continue to pose problems for vulnerable communities.

“The emergency appeal helped to alleviate the immediate food shortage, but there remains a need to support vulnerable communities in Lesotho.

“Only nine per cent of Lesotho’s total land is arable and the country continues to be affected by harsh winter conditions and droughts.

“The Lesotho Red Cross HIV and food security programme, supported by the British Red Cross, is crucial in developing long-term food sustainability.”

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