Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation - Tue, 17 Jun 2014 16:45 GMT
Author: Brahima Ouedraogo

TIOGO, Burkina Faso (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – While visiting a portion of the Tiogo forest in the center west of Burkina Faso recently, Louis Ouédraogo couldn’t hide his wrath. Someone had entered the forest and cut down about two hectares worth of trees to plant millet as the rainy season approached.

Read the full article on AlertNet.

Bamako, Friday 6 June 2014- At the request of the Ministry of Defence and of Ex-combattants, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) destroyed in a period of two months 85 SA 3 missiles at a demolition site in Tientienbougou.

Today, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Mali concluded the destruction of 85 obsolete and non-serviceable surface-to-air SA 3 missiles. The operations were conducted from April to May 2014 with UNMAS implementing partner, The Development Initiative (TDI).

The last two missiles were destroyed today in the presence of the Malian authorities and UNMAS Programme Manager, Charles Frisby.

“Those obsolete missiles constituted a grave danger for the population. That is why we requested UNMAS to destroy them”, says Colonel Touré, from the Malian Air Force.

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) launched in September 2013 a pilot project in the field of Physical Security of Stockpiles of Weapons and ammunition Management (PSSM). The 2014-2015 PSSM Action Plan, which was approved by the Ministry of Defence, includes: the destruction of expired stockpiles of weapons and ammunition, the rehabilitation of armories, the set-up of temporary storage sites, trainings to the Malian Defence and Security Forces and the elaboration of national standards.

Within the next few months, MINUSMA will proceed with the refurbishment of 5 armories in Bamako and the regions, and the destruction of 60 tons of obsolete ammunition.

A movie about the missiles destruction is available here

For more information:

Jin-Hee Dieu, UNMAS Mali Communications Officer, jinheed@unops.org, +223 78 65 72 49
Charles Frisby, UNMAS Mali Programme Manager, charlesf@unops.org, +223 74 96 96 15

Bamako, le vendredi 6 juin 2014 – A la demande du ministère de la Défense et des Anciens Combattants, le Service de lutte anti mines des Nations Unies (UNMAS) a procédé à la destruction de 85 missiles SA 3 sur le site de démolition de Tientienbougou, sur une période de deux mois. .

Aujourd'hui, le Service de lutte anti mines des Nations Unies (UNMAS) au Mali a conclu une campagne de destruction de 85 missiles SA 3 de type « sol-air » obsolètes et périmés.
Les opérations ont été menées d'avril à mai 2014, avec le partenaire d'exécution d’UNMAS, The Development Initiative (TDI).

Les deux derniers missiles ont été détruits aujourd'hui en présence des autorités maliennes et du chef du programme UNMAS au Mali, Mr. Charles Frisby.

"Ces missiles obsolètes constituaient un danger grave pour la population. C'est pourquoi nous avons demandé à UNMAS de nous aider à les détruire ", déclare le colonel Touré, de l’Armée de l’air malienne.

La Mission multidimensionnelle intégrée des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation au Mali (MINUSMA) a lancé en septembre 2013 un projet pilote dans le domaine de la gestion des stocks d'armes et de munitions. Le Plan d'action 2014-2015 en ce domaine, qui a été approuvé par le Ministère de la Défense, comprend: la destruction des stocks d'armes et de munitions périmées, la réhabilitation des armureries, la mise en place de sites de stockage temporaires, des formations aux Forces de Défense et de Sécurité maliennes ainsi que l'élaboration de normes nationales.

Dans les prochains mois, la MINUSMA s’attellera à la rénovation de 5 armureries à Bamako et dans les régions, et à la destruction de 60 tonnes de munitions obsolètes.

Un film sur la destruction des missiles est disponible ici

Pour plus d’informations:

Jin-Hee Dieu, Chargée de communications à UNMAS Mali, jinheed@unops.org, +223 78 65 72 49
Charles Frisby, Directeur du Programme UNMAS Mali, charlesf@unops.org, +223 74 96 96 15

Une période de soudure particulièrement difficile pour le centre et le sud du pays

Key Messages

Les ménages pauvres des zones agropastorales, de la zone de cultures pluviales et du centre de la vallée du fleuve achètent directement ou par emprunt leur nourriture. Ils sont parfois appuyés par des distributions gratuites. La situation alimentaire est particulièrement difficile au nord du Guidimakha Gorgol et Brakna où les ménages pauvres ont commencé à ressentir des déficits de consommation et sont déjà en situation de Crise (Phase 3 de l’IPC).

Les conditions pastorales continuent de se dégrader dans l’ensemble du pays entrainant des transhumances internes et externes atypiques. Les éleveurs de l’ouest de la zone agropastorale et du nord du Guidimakha recourent depuis plusieurs mois à l’achat de l’aliment bétail dont le prix connait une forte hausse. Ils sont confrontés à des risques de déficits de protection de leurs moyens d’existence et sont en situation de Stress (Phase 2 IPC).

Dans le reste des zones rurale, en dehors de l’ouest de la vallee du fleuve où le bon déroulement de la campagne de contre saison chaude prolonge les effets bénéfiques de la contre-saison froide, la période de soudure est similaire à celle d’une année moyenne.

In 2001-2012, Somalia was affected by famine. The complex humanitarian situation in Somalia triggered by the collapse of the Somali state in 1991 continues. Protracted conflict, coupled with cyclical drought, floods and disease outbreaks, continue to place half of the country`s 8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance or livelihoods support. Somalia remains a failed state, and public service infrastructure, including health and education is either weak or non-existent. In the absence of a viable public services sector, the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) remains one of the leading providers of humanitarian services in the country, with access to all 19 regions of Somalia.

The SRCS, supported by IFRC will focus on scaling up health services, strengthening community resilience through disaster risk reduction and improving its institutional capacity to do more, do better and reach further. With a network of 73 Mother and Child Health clinics, the integrated health care programme will reach more people affected by conflict drought and flood.

The IFRC Secretariat, represented by Somalia Country Office, will focus on building partnerships, strengthening and diversify its resource mobilization capacity and humanitarian diplomacy to raise humanitarian standards in Somalia, assist the SRCS to grow its services for the vulnerable people and increase its contribution to the development of its network to sustain its humanitarian services. The required financial resources for the period 2012-2015 are estimated at roughly CHF 5M per year, with capacity to absorb more.

A l'occasion d'une réunion du Conseil de sécurité mercredi sur la situation au Mali, le Secrétaire général adjoint des Nations Unies aux opérations de maintien de la paix, Hervé Ladsous, a estimé urgent de démarrer des pourparlers de paix et a regretté le manque de progrès vers un véritable dialogue de fond entre le gouvernement et les groupes armés.

M. Ladsous a rappelé les affrontements dans le nord du Mali en mai, « qui ont ébranlé le pays mais aussi le processus politique déjà fragile », et l'attentat suicide contre la Mission des Nations Unies (MINUSMA) le 11 juin à Aguelhok au cours duquel quatre Casques bleus ont été tués et six autres blessés.

« Malgré les efforts de la communauté internationale et des autorités maliennes au cours de l'année écoulée, les combats tragiques dans la région de Kidal et leurs conséquences - et l'insécurité générale causée par la présence persistante de groupes terroristes dans le nord du Mali - montrent qu'il reste beaucoup à faire pour parvenir à une stabilité durable dans ce pays », a dit M. Ladsous devant les membres du Conseil de sécurité.

« Un processus politique réussi est la pierre angulaire de cette stabilité. Tous les aspects de la stabilisation du Mali, y compris la restauration de l'autorité de l'Etat, le rétablissement de la sécurité et de la protection des civils, restent subordonnés à la conclusion réussie des négociations de paix entre le gouvernement malien et les groupes armés au nord dans le cadre de l'accord de Ouagadougou. Le statu quo ne peut pas continuer : des progrès dans le processus politique sont urgents. Le moment est venu pour des pourparlers de paix », a-t-il ajouté.

Selon Hervé Ladsous, « après un début prometteur avec la signature de l'accord préliminaire - il y a exactement un an aujourd'hui - le gouvernement et les groupes armés ont fait peu de progrès vers un véritable dialogue de fond. » « Il est juste de dire que l'absence de progrès dans le processus politique a conduit à la forte dégradation de la situation sécuritaire dans la région de Kidal. »

Le Secrétaire général adjoint a rappelé que grâce aux bons offices du Président mauritanien Abel Aziz et du Représentant spécial du Secrétaire général Bert Koenders, un accord de cessez-le feu a été signé le 23 mai pour mettre fin aux hostilités dans la région de Kidal. Les modalités de la mise en œuvre de cet accord ont été approuvées à Gao le 13 juin. Ce cessez-le-feu « représente une étape importante dans la bonne direction », a déclaré M. Ladsous.

Il a indiqué que la MINUSMA était prête à continuer à jouer un rôle clé « pour encourager le lancement de pourparlers de paix dès que possible. » « Mais au final, c'est aux parties prenantes maliennes de respecter leurs engagements et de se mettre d'accord sur le lancement de pourparlers de paix immédiatement », a-t-il ajouté.

S'agissant des effectifs de la MINUSMA, M. Ladsous a indiqué que la Mission disposait désormais de 70% des effectifs civils prévus, 77% des militaires et 83% des policiers.

 Favorable rainfall distribution observed across the western parts of West Africa.

 Marginal rainfall continues in Eastern Africa.

1) Poor rainfall distribution during the March-May rainfall season had negatively impacted agricultural and pastoral activities throughout western Kenya, parts of northeastern Uganda, southeastern South Sudan, and northwestern Tanzania. Limited rains are forecast over southern Ethiopia and northwestern Kenya during the next week, which could sustain poor conditions on the ground.

2) Dry spells since mid-April had led to a rapid deterioration of ground conditions throughout portions of southern Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and parts of northwestern Tanzania. As seasonal rainfall is expected to decrease over the next few months, the adverse impacts of the previous dryness may persist.

3) Heavy downpours have led to flooding over the Kita region of southwestern Mali during the past week. With high rainfall surpluses associated with above-average rains during the past few weeks, the forecast additional rains during the next outlook period maintain the risks for flooding over the region.

4) Frequent and above-average rains over the past several weeks have increased moisture surpluses over the far western portions of the Gulf of Guinea. Copious amounts of rainfall are expected over Sierra Leone, Liberia, and costal Cote d’Ivoire during the next week, increasing the likelihood for flooding over many local areas.

Low rainfall accumulation since May in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Haiti

Key Message

• Rainfall in parts of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Haiti has been below average since May up to the first 10 days of June.

• Above-average rainfall since late May has led to high moisture surpluses across Guatemala, increasing river levels and the potential for flooding and landslides.

• Low and erratic rainfall totals and distribution are forecast for the upcoming weeks. This could affect the start of the Primera season in Nicaragua and Honduras, particularly in the dry corridor. This could negatively impact crop yields at the end of the season in late August and September.

Seasonal Progress

Rainfall delays of 10 - 15 days in late May and early June have been observed in the start of the Primera season in the dry corridor of Nicaragua, including the departments of Nueva Segovia, Estelí, Matagalpa, Jinotega, Boaco and Managua (Figure 1). The increase in rainfall over the past week was insufficient to reduce rainfall deficits reported since May. This could affect the normal start of the Primera season in Nicaragua and reduce the likelihood of a successful harvest.

Below-average rainfall continued in almost all of Nicaragua and parts of Honduras during the first 10 days of June (Figure 2). The most severely impacted area is the dry corridor comprising areas bordering Honduras and the departments of Chinandega, Madriz and Nueva Segovia, and Estelí. Poor rainfall could prevent some farmers from planting and/or damage crops that have been planted. If rains do not start by the third week of June, farmers may not sow maize in the affected areas. Honduras has significant rainfall deficits in the departments of Olancho and Colón, although to date crop damages have not been reported.

In contrast, cumulative rainfall has been above average in Guatemala and El Salvador, supporting normal crop development for the Primera season in the Pacific basin; however, the high soil moisture has increased river levels, triggering floods in both countries. No significant damages and losses have been reported for grain crops to date.

In June, rainfall has steadily decreased in parts of Haiti, which is particularly affecting the departments of Centre, Artibonite, the southern peninsula, and the Nord-Est. Crops in these areas could be affected by continuous erratic and poorly distributed rainfall (Figure 2).

Forecast

However, high soil moisture in Guatemala has increased the risk of landslides in high elevation areas and floods in the boundaries of rivers in the Pacific basin. In Retalhuleu department, there is also the risk of lahars and overflowing rivers (Nima 1 and Nima 2) due the accumulation of pyroclastic materials by the recent eruptive activity of Santiaguito Volcano. These events have the potential to damage crops and infrastructure.

Dryness in parts of Nicaragua, Honduras and Haiti is not expected to change in the upcoming weeks.

18 June 2014 – The time for peace talks in Mali is now, the United Nations peacekeeping chief told the Security Council today, underscoring the importance of a successful political process to the country’s stability and reversing the sharp deterioration in the security situation in the northern town of Kidal.

“A successful political process is the cornerstone of this stability,” Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, told the 15-member Council.

“All aspects of the stabilization of Mali, including the restoration of State authority, the re-establishment of security and the protection of civilians, remain contingent on the successful conclusion of peace talks between the Malian Government and northern armed groups in the framework of the Ouagadougou Agreement,” he added.

Signed on 18 June of last year in Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, between the Tuareg rebel groups from northern Mali and the Government, the agreement allows the Malian regular army, as well as its civil administration, to gradually return to the region of Kidal, held by rebels since 2012. The accord was also co-signed by the representatives of the UN, African Union (AU), European Union (EU), and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

After a “promising start” one year ago today, Mr. Ladsous said, “the Government and the armed groups have made little progress towards real, substantive dialogue.”

Despite initial improvements in 2013, the situation in northern Mali has deteriorated since the beginning of 2014, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wrote in his latest report on the country. An increase in incidents involving improvised explosive devices, mostly targeting Malian and international security forces, contributed to an overall sense of insecurity that has impeded the return to normalcy and resumption of economic and development activities.

On 17 May, the Mouvement National de Libération de l’Azawad (MNLA) seized and burned the governor’s office in Kidal, resulting in President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta saying the attack was a “declaration of war.” Most recently, an offensive by the Mali Defense and Security Forces (MDSF) to retake Kidal on 20 May resulted in some 50 dead, according to the Government.

Armed groups have now taken military, and to an extent, administrative control over Kidal and other northern towns.

“I condemn the atrocities committed in the country in the course of these hostilities,” Mr. Ladsous said.

He noted, however, that “a narrow window of opportunity has now opened” with the singing of a ceasefire on 23 May, due in part to the joint good offices of President Abel Aziz of Mauritania and Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA), Albert Gerard Koenders.

In parallel, armed groups met under the auspices of Algeria in early June, signaling “their willingness to enter into negotiation with the Government,” Mr. Ladsous said, adding that Mr. Koenders and MINUSMA stands ready to continue to play a key role in encouraging the peace efforts.

“But ultimately, it is for the Malian parties to abide by their commitments and agree to the launch of the peace talks at once,” he stressed.

The Security Council is reviewing the situation in Mali today because it will have to decide whether to extend the mandate of MINUSMA, and if so, whether to make any changes. As it now stands, the mandate will expire on 30 June.

Ahead of these discussions, the UN peacekeeping department (DPKO) initiated a strategic review of MINUSMA. The key finding, as outlined in Mr. Ban’s report, was that “the extension of State authority and stabilization cannot be decoupled from the political process, which therefore remains the top priority.”

The four main recommendations were to reframe and strengthen the Mission’s political role and to reiterate the importance of the political process; to develop a shared vision for the way forward with the Malian authorities; to expand MINUSMA’s presence and mobility in the north; and to add or clarify tasks, such as counter-trafficking capacity-building.

MINUSMA will be up to 70 per cent of its envisaged civilian strength by the end of the month, 77 per cent of its military strength and 83 per cent of its police strength, the UN peacekeeping chief confirmed.

“About 90 per cent of the Mission’s military assets were already based in the north,” Mr. Ladsous said, adding that all of MINUSMA’s authorized military and police capabilities, except some utility and armed helicopters, have been granted. DPKO also intends to deploy unmanned aerial systems to enhance the Mission’s situational awareness and its ability to protect civilians and staff.

Mr. Koenders is expected to address the Council in a closed session later today.

US$340 million loan provides support to strengthen tax administration, increase the results orientation of public spending and improve management of social policies

WASHINGTON, D.C. June 17, 2014 – The World Bank Board of Directors approved today a US$340 million loan to support the Government of Guatemala’s plans to increase fiscal space and provide greater opportunities to vulnerable populations in the country.

The loan supports government actions to increase the income tax revenue-to-GDP ratio from 2.7 percent to 3.2 percent; increase the percentage of children under 1 year old who receive health and nutrition services in the 83 municipalities with the highest incidence of chronic malnutrition and improve the implementation of social programs by including 80 percent of all beneficiaries in a Unique Beneficiary Registry. This way, the “Enhanced Fiscal and Financial Management for Greater Opportunities Development Policy Loan” supports three key areas of the national agenda.

“The Government of Guatemala is highly committed to the promotion and implementation of the necessary measures to achieve higher sustainable economic growth, increased productive investment, prioritized in the areas of health and social protection, as well as to strengthening efficiency in public spending management”, said Dorval Carias, Minister of Finance of Guatemala ad interim. “In this context, the support from the World Bank is particularly relevant”, he added.

The development policy loan also provides support to the Government’s plans to increase the number of effective tax payers by at least 10 percent and have signed frameworks to exchange tax related information with 60 countries. The loan will also help to strengthen the Social Economic Council (CES), the organization which includes representatives from cooperatives, trade unions and private sector to facilitate consensus building on public policies.

“The 2012 tax reform, along with an effort to increase efficiency in public spending, will allow Guatemala to have more resources to assist the poorest and most vulnerable population,” said Oscar Avalle, World Bank Country Manager in Guatemala. “The increased availability of funds will result in more opportunities for all,” he added.

The US$340 million loan has a 25-year maturity, including a 10-year grace period.

Media Contacts

In Washington
Marcela Sanchez-Bender
Tel : (202) 473-5863
msanchezbender@worldbank.org

In Guatemala
Cesar Leon
Tel : (502) 2329-8000
cleonjuarez@worldbank.org

Seasonal harvests improve food availability, but localized shocks will affect some areas

Key Messages

• Favorable food availability conditions exist across much of the country and access continues to improve as prices decline and food supplies reach local markets.

• Acute food insecurity is currently Minimal (IPC Phase 1) across all wealth groups as households consume their own produced harvests. The Malawi Kwacha is stable and this is one of many factors that have contributed to a 13 percent reduction in national average maize prices between April and May.

• During the 2013/14 planting season two livelihood zones experienced prolonged dryness and and early cessation of rains, resulting in production shortfalls in localized areas. Reduced production has lead to lower labor and income opportunities in Central Karonga and Middle Shire. Acute food insecurity in these livelihood zones will be Stressed (IPC Phase 2) in June. Food security conditions are likely to deteriorate further and will result in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) between July and September.

Highlights

 Due to localized poor crop production, a few districts are expected to face stressed food security outcomes in the 2014/15 consumption year. Plans are under way by the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee to undertake annual assessments to determine the extent of food insecurity. It is expected that results from the assessments will be available by the end of July 2014.

 Towards the end of the just ended rainy season, the northern region continued to experience heavy rains resulting in further flooding mid- May 2014 in Mzimba district with 945 households affected. By the end of the season the total number of households affected by floods in the season reached 40,660 people. An additional 40,780 people experienced damage to their crops and houses by heavy rain and wind storms bringing the total number of people affected to 81,440.

 Services for management of Acute Malnutrition are ongoing in 484 Outpatient Therapeutic (OTP) sites and 86 Nutrition Rehabilitation Units across the 24 districts that were food insecure in the 2013/14 consumption season. An additional 1,572 children were admitted in April 2014 bringing the cumulative number of admissions to 18,740. The April data excludes 7 districts (Chikhwawa, Kasungu, Neno, Nkhatabay, Lilongwe, Phalombe, Mulanje and Mangochi) which were not submitted.

31 May 2014

40,460 people affected by floods

40,780 people experienced damage to their crops and houses by heavy rain and wind storms (Department of Disaster Management Affairs, 25 April 2014)

Funding requirements: US$5,387,313

Funding gap US$2,053,073

New report calls for concerted action to improve care standards for children in Africa

A newly published research report highlights how eight African countries have failed to implement UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children; lack of leadership, resources and information cited.

18 June 2014 - LILONGWE, MALAWI – Five years after the UN adopted the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children, key aspects of the global standards have yet to be implemented, according to a report authored by policy experts and released today.

The report, Drumming Together For Change, was produced through a partnership between the University of Malawi and the University of Strathclyde (UK), with the assistance of SOS Children´s Villages and its global Care for ME! campaign. The report's conclusions are based on evidence gathered through national assessments of eight Sub-Saharan Africa countries. It highlights “serious inadequacies in the services aimed at preventing the separation of children from their families, providing appropriate alternative care, and protecting children from harm.”

According to the report’s analysis, at the root of the problems lie a lack of leadership, resources, and information required to tackle the problems.

“These children are some of the most vulnerable in society and are made more vulnerable when the systems designed to care for them fail to work in their interests,” the report said. “This is the fifth anniversary of the Guidelines and it is important that we begin examining the ways in which they are successfully implemented and understanding the reasons why they are not…. This report is clear: change will demand action from us all.”

The report sounds a call for change: “We will be drumming with different rhythms but together these rhythms, in all their syncopation, must be heard and felt as a collective call for positive, real change in the lives of the most vulnerable members of our societies.”

Key findings:

• There is a lack of formal child care provision and an increasing burden placed on informal care arrangements.

• Of the formal care provided, most was in residential care – often by unlicensed providers – that fails to meet individual child needs.

• The inconsistent quality and lack of government monitoring reveal high levels of risk around child protection.

• There is a lack of support to help families care for children, before any need for alternative care may arise. Many children currently in alternative care could be living with their parents, but prevention services are not supported by governments, are poorly coordinated, and reach only a small proportion of the population in need.

Despite the findings, the report's authors see significant opportunities for change and provide detailed roadmaps of the first steps governments need to take.

The policy framework proposed in the report calls for:

• Active engagement with local communities, families and children. As the beneficiaries of alternative care, they should be given both a voice and a stake in the services that are designed for them and the decisions that are made in their interests.

• Governments to take a more active leadership role. This means coordinating alternative care provision and developing partnerships with other stakeholders.

• Involvement of cooperative, accountable non-state organisations. This includes international donors, private sector, and NGOs, which can cooperate with and empower governments with resources and knowledge.

The eight countries covered by this report are: Benin, Gambia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The individual country assessments are available at: www.care-for-me.org

19 juin 2014 – Lors d'un exposé devant le Conseil de sécurité jeudi, la nouvelle Représentante spéciale du Secrétaire général pour le Sahel, Hiroute Guebre Sellassie, s'est déclarée inquiète de la détérioration de la situation politique et sécuritaire dans la région, notamment en Libye.

« Pendant la courte période depuis que j'occupe ce poste, j'ai été frappée par la détérioration de la situation politique et sécuritaire dans la région, en particulier en Libye, par les défis sécuritaires et politiques durables au Mali, et par les attaques terroristes récurrentes à travers la région, en particulier celles menées par Boko Haram au Nigéria », a dit Mme Guebre Sellassie.

Selon elle, la forte augmentation des actes terroristes par Boko Haram dans le nord et le centre du Nigéria depuis 2013 menace désormais aussi le Cameroun, le Niger et le Tchad. « En outre, le conflit et l'effondrement de l'Etat en République centrafricaine a entraîné une plus forte instabilité en Afrique centrale et augmenté le risque de nouvelles connections entre les groupes terroristes basés au Sahara/Sahel, au Nigéria et dans la Corne de l'Afrique/Afrique de l'Est », a-t-elle ajouté.

La Représentante spéciale a également noté que la situation humanitaire restait fragile au Sahel, avec au moins 20 millions de personnes menacées d'insécurité alimentaire et près de 5 millions d'enfants menacés de malnutrition sévère. « En même temps, les niveaux élevés de chômage chez les jeunes au Sahel augmentent l'attrait d'une idéologie violente », a-t-elle ajouté.

Mme Guebre Sellassie a rappelé que depuis l'adoption de la Stratégie intégrée des Nations Unies pour le Sahel par le Conseil de sécurité l'an dernier, le système des Nations Unies a lancé une série de projets dans les domaines de la gouvernance, de la sécurité et de la résilience.

« En matière de gouvernance, nous avons accordé la priorité aux activités favorisant l'inclusion politique », a dit la Représentante spéciale. « Dans le domaine de la sécurité nous avons lancé des projets destinés à promouvoir une gestion commune des frontières et à prévenir la propagation d'une idéologie violente. » Dans le domaine de la résilience, l'ONU encourage l'activité économique transfrontalière légitime.

Mme Guebre Sellassie a estimé que la communauté internationale avait besoin d'améliorer la coordination.
« Agir vite et d'une manière coordonnée est nécessaire pour surmonter les crises actuelles », a-t-elle dit.

(New York, 19 June 2014): John Ging, Operations Director for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told media after a three-day visit to Mali that life- saving assistance is still urgently needed across the country and more must be done to build a lasting peace. “Humanitarian needs will continue to grow in Mali if there isn’t a full commitment by all to peace and stability,” warned Mr. Ging, “In different parts of the country hundreds of thousands of people desperately need water, food, and to feel safe and secure. The recent violence in Kidal underscores the need for a solution to the armed conflict and for civilians to be protected.” In Mali, almost half a million children under five are suffering from acute malnutrition – 85 per cent of them living in the country’s south – while 1.5 million people do not have enough to eat. In the North, the food crisis has been made worse by a recent deterioration in the security situation which severely limits people’s access to critical services like water, healthcare, and education. Protection from violence, especially increasing sexual violence against women, must be made a priority.

More than 150,000 people remain displaced from their homes, and over 18,000 were newly displaced by the attacks in Kidal in May. Last week John Ging travelled to Gao and Menaka, where he met displaced families and humanitarian aid workers. “The community in Menaka is badly affected by the crisis in Mali. The needs are urgent and severe: water, food and livelihoods support was the common appeal. The women I met there asked for help in ending the violence they face. Their plight is shocking and unacceptable. More must be done to protect them,” he said.

Despite limited financial resources and dangerous operating conditions, so far this year UN humanitarian organizations and their partners have helped provide more than half a million people with food aid, over 200,000 people now have permanent access to drinkable water, and 150,000 people received healthcare. “The prospects for a peaceful Mali depend on the courage of political leaders to demonstrate their full commitment to the peace process,” noted Mr. Ging. “The international community needs to show strong support for the people of Mali as they take these crucial steps and we also need them to help us scale up our humanitarian aid by giving generously.”