Fuente: Prensa Libre

Más de 1.2 millones de campesinos e indígenas pobres que cultivan granos básicos para su subsistencia, viven un "drama humano" por una prolongada sequía que afectó 208 municipios en 16 de los 22 departamentos que tiene Guatemala, cuyo Gobierno ha pedido ayuda a la comunidad internacional.

Durante 40 días, de acuerdo con las autoridades, en la mayoría del territorio guatemalteco dejó de llover, lo que hizo que las siembras de maíz y fríjol, la principal dieta de los habitantes de este país, se perdieran hasta en un 80 y 90 por ciento.

En las tierras áridas del oriente de Guatemala, los cultivos se secaron por falta de lluvias y los campesinos ni siquiera cosecharon para su consumo.

Las estadísticas oficiales dan cuenta que 268 mil familias resultaron afectadas por la prolongada sequía que comenzó a principios de julio último debido al cambio climático.

El titular de la Secretaría de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional (Sesan), Luis Enrique Monterroso, aseguró que al menos 500 mil niños menores de 5 años se encuentran en riesgo de sufrir una malnutrición por la escasez.

Las familias que perdieron sus cosechas viven "un drama humano", reconoció el funcionario, y añadió que la principal estrategia gubernamental es "resguardar a esas familias".

Monterroso aseguró que el Gobierno está listo para comenzar de forma normal la entrega de granos básicos y alimentos con proteína desde el próximo lunes para paliar la crisis.

El presidente de Guatemala, Otto Pérez Molina, afirmó esta semana que ninguna de las familias afectadas por la sequía se quedará sin recibir alimentos mientras llega la segunda época de lluvias al país, que de acuerdo al Instituto Nacional de Meteorología será en septiembre.

Con el fin de aligerar la compra y entrega de alimentos, el Gobierno decretó el pasado viernes el estado de calamidad pública en 16 departamentos.

La medida, por un periodo de 30 días, abarca Jutiapa, Jalapa, Santa Rosa, Zacapa, El Progreso, Chiquimula y Baja Verapaz, ubicados en el denominado Corredor Seco.

También a los departamentos de Quiché, Huehuetenango, Retalhuleu, Totonicapán, Sololá, San Marcos, Suchitepéquez, Chimaltenango y Guatemala

El ministro de Agricultura, Ganadería y Alimentación (Maga), Elmer López, anunció que a las familias perjudicadas se les entregarán 100 libras de maíz, 30 libras de fríjol y 17 libras de harina para elaborar atol.

“Ese producto les debe alcanzar para ocho días de alimentación mientras arreglen sus terrenos para nuevos cultivos y para que construyan depósitos grandes de agua para que en el futuro no tengan problemas de falta del vital líquido", manifestó el funcionario.

Agregó que los campesinos serán capacitados para que mejoren sus capacidades y técnicas de cultivo, porque lo que se busca es que "nadie muera de hambre".

El presidente Pérez Molina hizo el pasado miércoles un llamado a todos los sectores de la sociedad para que contribuyan a paliar la crisis causada por la falta de lluvias en el país y “no permitir que un hermano nuestro vaya a morir de hambre por falta de alimentos a tiempo".

La comunidad internacional expresó ese día, luego de reunirse con las altas autoridades del país, su buena voluntad de cooperar con Guatemala para superar la crisis, pero solicitaron que se determinen con claridad cuáles son las necesidades.

La embajadora de la Unión Europea (UE), Stella Zervoudaki, dijo que el gobierno debe decir si necesita recursos, alimentos o asistencia técnica.

Con ese fin, la Agencia Internacional para el Desarrollo (AID) de Estados Unidos, propuso la instalación de una mesa de diálogo de "seguridad alimentaria" en la que se deberán definir en los próximos días los requerimientos del país para dar asistencia humanitaria a los damnificados por la sequía.

La Commission Mouvement de Populations (CMP) est un sous-groupe du Cluster Protection, dont l'Organisation Internationale pour les Migrations (OIM) est le chef de file et qui a été mise en place afin de recueillir et analyser les informations disponibles concernant les populations déplacées au Mali suite à la crise de 2012.

Afin de fournir un état complet des mouvements de populations, et à la demande de ses partenaires, la CMP a élargi ses compétences aux mouvements de populations vers ou depuis les pays limitrophes du Mali.

Les membres de la Commission sont: la Direction Générale de la Protection Civile (Ministère de l’intérieur et de la sécurité), la Direction Nationale du Développement Social (Ministère de la solidarité, de l’action humanitaire et de la reconstruction au nord), UNHCR, OCHA, PAM, UNICEF, ACTED, NRC,
DRC, Handicap International, Solidarités International et CRS. Plusieurs autres entités participent régulièrement aux rencontres de la Commission.

Résumé:
A la date du 06 juin 2014, les partenaires de la CMP ont comptabilisé 151 150 déplacés, ce qui correspond à 28 785 ménages. Ces estimations comprennent les données concernant les personnes déplacées suite aux affrontements de mai 2014 ainsi que les estimations liées aux déplacements qui ont suivi la crise de 2012.
En parallèle, 137 044 réfugiés ont été enregistrés dans les pays limitrophes par l’UNHCR.

La Commission Mouvement de Populations (CMP) est un groupe de travail du Cluster Protection, dont l'Organisation Internationale pour les Migrations (OIM) est le chef de file et qui a été mise en place afin de recueillir et analyser les informations disponibles concernant les populations déplacées au Mali suite à la crise de 2012.

Afin de fournir un état complet des mouvements de populations, et à la demande de ses partenaires, la CMP a élargi ses compétences aux mouvements de populations vers ou depuis les pays limitrophes du Mali.

Les membres de la Commission sont: la Direction Générale de la Protection Civile (Ministère de l’intérieur et de la sécurité), la Direction Nationale du Développement Social (Ministère de la solidarité, de l’action humanitaire et de la reconstruction au nord) UNHCR, OCHA, PAM, UNICEF, ACTED, NRC, DRC, Handicap International, Solidarités International et CRS. Plusieurs autres entités participent régulièrement aux rencontres de la Commission.

Résumé:
A la date du 31 juillet 2014, les partenaires de la CMP ont comptabilisé 126.249 déplacés internes (23.458 ménages), ce qui correspond à une diminution par rapport aux données de mai 2014 (151.150 IDPs)1. Ces estimations comprennent les données concernant les personnes déplacées suite aux affrontements de mai et juillet 2014 ainsi que les estimations liées aux déplacements qui ont suivi la crise de 2012 (Tableau 1 et Tableau 2).

En parallèle, 140.033 réfugiés ont été enregistrés dans les pays limitrophes par l’UNHCR.

09/01/2014 16:56 GMT

ALGIERS, September 1, 2014 (AFP) - Peace talks between the Malian government and armed rebels opened on Monday in the Algerian capital, the second round of negotiations since July aimed at clinching a lasting peace agreement.

The Bamako government and six rebel groups, mostly Tuareg but also including Arab organisations, are seeking to resolve a decades-old conflict that created a power vacuum in the desert north that was exploited by Al-Qaeda.

A ceasefire has been in force since May when the rebels seized a large swathe of northern Mali in a major offensive.

Then in July, Bamako and the rebels met for a first round of talks in Algiers and signed a preliminary accord which set a roadmap for further negotiations.

"This time in Algiers, participants will get to the bottom of their problems and, it is to be hoped, come to an agreement," said former prime minister Modibo Keita, the Malian president's envoy at the talks.

Since President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita came to power negotiations have stalled, however, and northern Mali has seen a spike in violence by Islamist and separatist militants.

Riven by ethnic rivalries, a Tuareg rebellion and an Islamist insurgency in its vast desert north, the west African nation has struggled for stability and peace since a military coup in 2012.

Skirmishes in May between the Malian army and a coalition of rebels from the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and the High Council for the Unity of Azawad (HCUA) saw at least 50 soldiers killed in the Tuareg region of Kidal.

A ceasefire obtained by Mauritanian leader and African Union (AU) chief Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has been in place since, but the Malian government has expressed alarm at the "concentrations of armed groups" in the desert.

The talks are being held with a new defence agreement in place between Mali and its former colonial power France.

Paris recently wound up Operation Serval, its military offensive launched in January 2013 to oust Al-Qaeda-linked Islamists who had occupied northern Mali.

abh-ao/hkb/srm

© 1994-2014 Agence France-Presse

Situation Overview

• Since the Ebola outbreak began, over 3,000 people have been suspected to have contracted the Ebola disease.The Ministries of Health in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leonecontinue to report new cases and deaths attributable to Ebola Virus Disease.Ebola patients have also been identified in Nigeria and Senegal.

• The virus concerns not only the health of the population being affected, but also local markets are severely distorted; prices of food, and other basic commodities have risen dramatically, which has exacerbated the humanitarian emergency.

• Governments have begun to respond by imposing movement restrictions, and implementing screening and quarantining procedures;in Liberia, the area of West Point Monrovia has been completely quarantined, which has worsened existing shortages in basic supplies.

• The situation in the affected countries continues to remain volatile, and thus the identified humanitarian needs and response are changing rapidly.

Destacados

• SEQUÍA: El impacto de la sequía en los países de Centroamérica mantiene a más de 2 millones de personas en riesgo de inseguridad alimentaria.

• LLUVIAS INTENSAS: La temporada lluviosa deja una persona fallecida en Honduras y más de un centenar de personas afectadas en Guatemala.

• ERUPCIÓN VOLCÁNICA: Se registra actividad moderada-alta en el volcán Tungurahua de Ecuador por lo que se ha declarado alerta naranja en la zona aledaña al mismo.

Sequía

GUATEMALA

La Secretaría de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional (SESAN) reporta 268,000 familias afectadas por la prolongada sequía y, al menos 500,000 niños y niñas menores de 5 años en riesgo de sufrir malnutrición. 16 departamentos del país se encuentran en estado de Calamidad Pública y el Gobierno ha solicitado ayuda internacional para enfrentar la crisis por la pérdida de cosechas debido a la falta de lluvia.
Fuente: Prensa Libre.

HONDURAS

Más de 120,000 familias están afectadas por la sequía en el país. La Comisión Permanente de Contingencias (COPECO) y el PMA estarán asistiendo a más de 39,000 personas mediante la entrega de 367 TM de alimento.
Fuente: COPECO y Programa Mundial de Alimentos (PMA).

EL SALVADOR

Alrededor de 96,000 familias están siendo afectadas por la sequía.
Productores agrícolas estiman que se necesitarán al menos US$100 millones para recuperar la producción y los terrenos afectados por la sequía. Fuente: La Prensa Gráfica.

NICARAGUA Nicaragua no ha declarado alerta por la sequía prolongada que afecta al país pero está tomando acciones como solicitar apoyo al Programa Mundial de Alimentos para llevar alimentos a las familias afectadas.
Fuente: Radio La Primerísima.

(Mogadishu, 2 September 2014): I am deeply concerned by the serious deterioration in the food security situation in Somalia. The new assessment findings by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network reflect a significant decline, owing to a lethal mix of drought, surging food prices and conflict.

Over 1 million people in Somalia face acute food insecurity today, up by 20 per cent from 857,000 six months ago. This brings the total number of people in need of humanitarian assistance or livelihood support to over 3 million. After gradual rebuilding of livelihoods since the 2011 famine that cost over a quarter of a million lives in excess mortality, fragile gains are now being eroded and malnutrition rates are again on the rise. Coping capacities are severely stretched and vulnerable families risk being pushed further into destitution.

As many as 218,000 acutely malnourished children under the age of 5 require emergency nutrition supplement, access to clean water, and better hygiene; 43,800 children are so severely malnourished that they will die if they do not receive medical treatment and therapeutic food.

In response to the unfolding crisis, owing to contributions of donors, humanitarian partners have been able to step up efforts to urgently address the most critical needs across the country. Aid organizations began using air cargo flights to areas with no road access. However, it is simply not sufficient to deliver the volume of humanitarian assistance required. Securing road access for commercial and humanitarian supplies in addition to having more resources is tantamount to the sustained delivery.

Concerted efforts are urgently required to save lives and prevent a free fall. As we enter the last third of the year, more than half a billion US dollars are still required for life-saving activities. Decisive measures will be required to ensure that we do not jeopardize the people of Somalia's chance to enjoy a more safe, stable and prosperous outlook.

For further information on the assessment results please contact: Frank Nyakairu, Communications Officer, UN Food and Agriculture Organization, (frank.nyakairu@fao.org / +254 786 399311).

To reach the HC in Somalia, please contact: Cecilia Attefors, Communications Officer, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, (attefors@un.org / +252 618960006). To access the FSNAU technical release, log onto www.fsnau.org

A 20 percent increase since January 2014

2 September 2014, Nairobi/Washington - The gradual recovery and gains made since the end of the famine in 2012 are being lost as poor rains, conflict, trade disruptions and reduced humanitarian assistance led to a worsening of the food security situation across Somalia. Acute malnutrition increased in many parts of the country, particularly among children.

The situation is likely to continue deteriorating further until the start of the Deyr rains in October.

The latest findings from a joint assessment by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit for Somalia (FSNAU), a project managed by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other partners, indicate that an estimated 1,025,000 people will be in Crisis and Emergency (IPC Phases 3 and 4) (*).

This figure represents a 20 percent increase since January 2014. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) continue to constitute a majority (62%) of the people in Crisis and Emergency (IPC Phases 3 and 4), followed by rural (27%) and urban (11%) populations.

Recent nutrition survey results conducted across the country also indicate that an estimated 218,000 children under the age of five are acutely malnourished (nearly one in seven children under five) - a seven percent increase since January 2014.

This figure includes 43,800 severely malnourished children who face an even higher risk of morbidity and death. Critical levels of acute malnutrition (Global Acute Malnutrition rates exceeding 15%) were found in 21 out of 50 population groups surveyed.

Morbidity, poor infant and young child feeding practices and inadequate humanitarian assistance are among the main contributing factors of malnutrition in Somalia.

As a result of delayed and erratic rainfall, the Gu 2014 cereal harvest in July/August is estimated to be 37 percent below the long-­‐term average and 28 percent below the five-­‐year average.

The poor rains have also contributed to water shortages, poor livestock performance and reduced access to milk in several pastoral areas, particularly in parts of the Northeast and the Gedo region of Southern Somalia.

Trade disruption and reduced access to seasonal agricultural employment have also exacerbated the food insecurity situation in urban areas that came under government control following the military offensive against insurgents in March 2014. In these areas, access roads remain under insurgent control and trade flow is largely blocked, resulting in sharp increases in staple food prices.

Cereal prices have quadrupled in Wajid (Bakool) and doubled in Hudur town (Bakool), Middle Shabelle and Hiraan (Buloburte district) regions between January and July/August 2014.

The populations in Emergency and Crisis (IPC Phases 4 and 3) require urgent lifesaving humanitarian assistance and livelihood support between now and December 2014 to help meet immediate food needs, including urgent nutrition and health support for the acutely malnourished, particularly children.

Additional interventions will be required to protect livelihoods and build the resilience of communities against future shocks.

The food security situation of over 2.1 million additional people remains fragile and is classified as Stressed (IPC Phase 2). This group of households may struggle to meet their minimal food requirements through the end of the year, and they remain highly vulnerable to shocks that could push them back to food security crisis if no appropriate support is provided.

Areas and Populations of Concern

Populations experiencing acute food security crisis (IPC Phases 3 and 4) are found in large numbers (10% of the total population or more) in rural and urban areas and among displaced populations of Bari, Nugaal, South Mudug, Galgaduud, Hiraan, Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle, Bakool, Gedo, Middle Juba and Banadir regions.

Population groups with Global Acute Malnutrition rates exceeding 15 percent are of major concern and are found in urban parts of Bari Region and rural parts of Hiraan, Bay, Bakool, Lower Shabelle, Gedo, East and West Golis of Wooqooy Galbeed, Sanaag and Bari regions, and among displaced populations in Mogadishu, Kismayo, Dhobley, Dollow, and Dhusamareb.

There is also a severe water shortage for livestock mainly in the northeast but also in parts of northwest, central and North Gedo regions of Somalia.

(*)The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is a set of analytical tools and processes, to analyze and classify the severity of a food security situation according to scientific international standards into a five-point scale: IPC Phase 1=Minimal; Phase 2=Stressed; Phase 3=Crisis; Phase 4=Emergency; and Phase 5=Famine.

Destacados

• El Gobierno de Guatemala ha declarado estado de calamidad por sequía ocasionada por el comportamiento ENOS (Fenómeno de El Niño) lo cual ha devastado los cultivos de granos básicos.

• Se ha perdido más del 70% de los cultivos principalmente de pequeños productores de granos básicos de subsistencia.

• 236,034 familias afectadas en todo el país (1 millón 100 mil personas aproximadamente). El Gobierno ha decretado estado de calamidad en 16 departamentos, 165 municipios donde están afectadas 234,611 familias. Las acciones estarán focalizadas en los departamentos de Jutiapa, Chiquimula, Zacapa, Huehuetenango, Sololá, Totonicapán, Chimaltenango, San Marcos, Guatemala, Retalhuleu, Baja Verapaz, Santa Rosa, Quiché, El Progreso, Suchitepéquez y Jalapa.

• 500,000 niños y niñas en riesgo de inseguridad alimentaria y nutricional.

• Esta crisis se suma a dos años de malas cosechas (2012-2013), y al impacto de la reducción de empleo para jornaleros ocasionada por la crisis de la roya del café durante las últimas dos cosechas.

Panorama de la Situación

En junio se inició a manifestar lluvia por debajo de lo normal en los departamentos de Sur Oriente y meseta central lo cual se fue agudizando y ampliando en todo el territorio nacional en los meses de julio y agosto, con un saldo de hasta 45 días sin lluvias, representando la sequía más fuerte en los últimos 40 años (Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología). El déficit de lluvias se presentó en el período más importante para la producción de maíz y frijol, ocasionando pérdidas significativas en estos cultivos.

Los medios de vida de miles de familias del corredor seco dependen de dos grandes pilares: La producción de granos básicos para el auto consumo y el jornaleo agrícola principalmente en el corte de café. Estas dos fuentes de ingreso se han visto afectadas recientemente, la primera afectada por tres años de lluvias irregulares y en consecuencia malas cosechas y la segunda por el impacto de la roya en la producción de café, disminuyendo las oportunidades de empleos para los jornaleros.

Impacto de la sequía y la pérdida de las cosechas de maíz y frijol en los medios de vida de productoras y productores de subsistencia en Guatemala

I. ANTECEDENTES

En febrero pasado, el Instituto Nacional de Meteorología, Vulcanología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH) advertía que su análisis de datos indicaba que 2014 sería similar a 2012 en términos de precipitación (año catalogado de “sequia meteorológica”), con una complicación adicional, que la anomalía de temperatura en la región ENSO 3-4 que define la situación de El Niño para la región Centroamericana podía traducirse en un déficit más severo1 ; INSIVUMEH también recordaba que aunque no se declara oficialmente el establecimiento de “El Niño”, la anomalía de temperatura bastaba para ocasionar una déficit de lluvia importante en el país. Posteriormente, el 16 de Julio durante la reunión del Foro del Clima de América Central se confirmaban los pronósticos emitidos en febrero, en donde se indicaba que una porción importante de Centroamérica y de Guatemala experimentarían lluvias por debajo de lo normal .

Los registros de precipitación de INSIVUMEH evidencian que en Junio inició el déficit hídrico, presentando porciones importantes del país con rangos de 28 - 30 días sin lluvias entre el 1 de Junio y 21 de Julio, tal y como puede apreciarse en el siguiente mapa #1.

El déficit de lluvia continuó durante el mes de Agosto y en consecuencia, las zonas de producción de maíz y frijol de productores de subsistencia e infra-subsistencia enfrentaron pérdidas en la producción, pérdidas que también afectaron a las y los productores apoyados por los programas del Fondo de Tierras.

En respuesta a los daños ocasionados por la sequía y su potencial para ocasionar inseguridad alimentaria severa, Oxfam y el Fondo de Tierras ha tomado como primer punto de acción evaluar el impacto de la sequía en los productores de granos básicos de subsistencia e infra-subsistencia tomando como punto de análisis los beneficiarios de sus programas y en base a esa evaluación, determinar qué medidas de apoyo puede desarrollar para que las y los productores afectados puedan superar la crisis, teniendo como prioridad garantizar la seguridad alimentaria de las familias más vulnerables.

Highlights

• DROUGHT: Prolonged drought in Central America places more than 2 million people at risk of food insecurity.

• HEAVY RAINS: The rainy season killed one person in Honduras and has affected more than a hundred people in Guatemala.

• VOLCANIC ERUPTION: The Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador is at moderate-high activity and an orange alert has been declared for areas near the volcano.

Drought

GUATEMALA

The Ministry of Food and Nutritional Security (SESAN for its acronym in Spanish) reports 268,000 families affected by the prolonged drought and at least 500,000 children under five at risk of malnutrition. Sixteen departments are in a state of public calamity and the government has appealed for international help to deal with the crisis caused by the loss of crops. Source: Prensa Libre.

HONDURAS

More than 120,000 families are affected by drought. The Permanent Commission of Contingencies (COPECO for its acronym in Spanish) and WFP are assisting over 39,000 people through the distribution of 367 MT of food. Source: COPECO and WFP.

EL SALVADOR

Around 96,000 families are affected by drought. Crop farmers estimate that at least US$100 million is needed to restore production and land affected by drought.
Source: La Prensa Grafica.

NICARAGUA

Nicaragua has not declared an alert for drought but has requested support from the World Food Programme to help distribute food to affected families. Source: Radio La Primerísima.

Syria: Syrian refugee numbers have grown by a million in a year, and now exceed three million, while the journey out of Syria is getting tougher. 42 children were reported killed by government strikes over 29-31 August, while in IS-held areas there are reports of routine executions and amputations.

Sierra Leone: One million people are in need of aid as a consequence of the Ebola outbreak; between 20 and 26 August, 116 new cases and 30 deaths were reported, bringing the total to 1,602 cases, including 422 deaths, since the outbreak began. Staff at a treatment centre have called a strike over pay and conditions, and the Health Minister has been replaced.

Ukraine: IDP figures have grown by more than 80,000 in two weeks, to reach 230,000. 3.9 million people live in areas directly affected by violence, but access to humanitarian aid is near-impossible in conflict areas. Older people are particularly vulnerable.

Updated: 02/09/2014. Next update: 09/09/2014

Global Emergency Overview Web Interface

Guatemala: Reporte de Situación No. 1 Sequía (al 28 / 08 / 2014)

Guatemala, 02 de Septiembre 2014
Fuente: Prensa Libre

En tres departamentos se ha incrementado el número de niños menores de 5 años que padecen desnutrición aguda, en comparación con los localizados en el 2013, según datos de la Secretaría de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional (Sesán), mientras en todo el país suman 10 mil 510 menores afectados.

Guatemala, Suchitepéquez y Baja Verapaz reportan hasta el 16 de agosto último un aumento en casos de niños afectados por el hambre aguda, lo que según Luis Enrique Monterroso, jefe de la Sesán, es resultado de mayor búsqueda de menores.

“De los 22 departamentos existen tres que han tenido una diferencia hacia arriba. El más llamativo es Guatemala, donde está arriba de 200 casos el incremento. Hay búsqueda activa de casos y más conciencia ciudadana”, afirmó Monterroso en conferencia de prensa.

Según el funcionario, ahora los padres pueden identificar las señales de peligro en los niños, para llevarlos a un centro de atención.

“En Suchitepéquez, que tiene incremento, aunque la diferencia no es tan marcada, detectamos que hay áreas donde influye el desempleo, y eso es lo que afecta”, añadió.

Monterroso afirmó que al hacer una medición global se registra una reducción de 22.5 por ciento de pacientes, pues hasta el 16 de agosto había 10 mil 510 menores con desnutrición aguda, mientras en el 2013 fueron 13 mil 556 los afectados.

La lista de departamentos con más casos de menores afectados la encabeza Guatemala, con mil 353 niños que padecen desnutrición aguda. Le siguen Escuintla, Huehuetenango, Quiché y Chiquimula.

En la parte contraria, los lugares que reportan menos niños afectados son El Progreso, Totonicapán, Sololá e Izabal.

Están vulnerables

Noemí Racancoj, coordinadora de la Instancia de Consulta y Participación Social, que integra el Consejo de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional, aseguró que hay debilidades en el Estado que no permiten que la cantidad de menores con desnutrición aguda disminuya o se trate en forma correcta.

Racancoj puso el ejemplo de Santa Lucía La Reforma, Totonicapán, donde hace dos semanas se revisaron datos en la Comisión Municipal de Seguridad Alimentaria y dieron a conocer que existen más niños con desnutrición aguda y ya hubo dos muertos en ese municipio.

“En las comunidades se ven los casos en forma diferente, han aumentado los niños con desnutrición porque quedaron vulnerables; no hay prestadoras de extensión de cobertura”, afirmó Racancoj.

Según la activista, en los servicios también hay desabastecimiento, desde hace dos meses, de Alimento Terapéutico Listo para el Consumo, que sirve para recuperar a niños desnutridos.

Respecto de la ayuda que el Gobierno dará a familias afectadas por la sequía, Racancoj espera que no se beneficie solo a quienes viven en los cascos urbanos, al asegurar que las personas que viven más alejados están más vulnerables.

The fight for control of Libya between the Misrata-led Islamist-leaning coalition and the Zintan-led forces is escalating by the day. Hundreds have been killed and thousands displaced in over six weeks of clashes and heavy artillery fire. The Misrata side emerged victorious in the battle over Tripoli’s international airport, taking control of the capital, and made advances around Benghazi, but the larger political divide remains unresolved. A newly formed parliament convened in Tobruk and has the backing of the Zintan-led anti-Islamists and the international community; but the previous legislature in Tripoli challenges its authority. Without a minimum of consensus, Libya is likely to have two ineffectual governments with militias exerting real control on the ground.

Yemen’s Huthis continued to challenge the government’s authority, potentially undermining the already-fragile transition. Throughout the month Huthis organised mass anti-government protests in the capital Sanaa while armed supporters gathered around the city. In late August, their leaders rejected a government offer to resign; ongoing negotiations are hung on the complicated issue of fuel subsidies. Counter rallies largely attended by rivals from the Sunni Islamist Islah party and supported by President Hadi only served to escalate tensions. (See our latest report on the Huthis.)

For the first time since 2011, the U.S. intervened militarily in Iraq in August. Although the operation was initially explained by the need to avert a potential “genocide” of the northern Yazidi community and protect U.S. personnel and assets from the jihadi Islamic State (IS; formerly ISIL), its objectives were later expanded to include the protection of critical infrastructure such as Mosul dam. Meanwhile in Baghdad, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki finally agreed to step down after most of his domestic and international backers joined in supporting his nominated replacement, fellow Dawa party member Haider al-Abadi. (See our recent commentary on IS.)

Syria’s northern armed opposition faced an increasingly dire situation as regime forces continued advancing in Aleppo and jihadis from IS gained territory north of the city. IS also continued its push to extend and consolidate control in the east, where it executed hundreds of tribal members in response to a local uprising against its rule in Deir al-Zour province and captured the regime’s last remaining stronghold in Raqqah province.

In one of the most serious spillovers of the Syrian conflict into Lebanon, the border town of Arsal witnessed heavy clashes between Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Syrian rebels that left as many as 100 dead. Militants attacked checkpoints and seized official buildings before a counteroffensive by the Lebanese army, aided by Syrian Air Force raids, reclaimed the city after a 5-day battle.

The death toll from Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the Gaza Strip continued to mount: by the time a ceasefire agreement was reached on 26 August, more than 2100 mostly civilian Palestinians, at least 66 Israeli soldiers and 6 civilians inside Israel had been killed since the start of hostilities in July. Initial reports on the details of the ceasefire agreement suggested terms were vague and discussions of core issues had been deferred to later talks. (See our latest briefing and commentary)

Mass anti-government protests in Pakistan are threatening to undermine the country’s fragile democratic transition and have raised fears of an impending military intervention (see our recent Conflict Alert). For weeks, protests leaders have called for Prime Minister Nawaz Shariff’s resignation, the dissolution of parliament and new elections. In mid-August they led supporters into Islamabad’s “Red Zone”, home to several key government buildings. The military later came directly into the fray, with army chief General Raheel Sharif reportedly intending to mediate and then act as guarantor of a negotiated settlement between government and protesters.

India-Pakistan relations deteriorated sharply as the two states again clashed over Kashmir. Deadly exchanges-of-fire along the Line of Control resumed, with each side claiming civilian casualties. India cancelled foreign secretary-level talks aimed at setting an agenda for resuming the countries’ dialogue process after Pakistan’s High Commissioner met Kashmiri separatist leaders in New Delhi.

Fighting between government forces and pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine escalated sharply. While the army attempted to encircle major cities Donetsk and Luhansk, Russia stepped up support for the rebels and reportedly deployed troops inside Ukraine. According to UN estimates, the total number of casualties more than doubled in the past month.

July’s ceasefire agreement between armed groups in the Central African Republic failed to translate into a truce on the ground. Scores, many civilians, were killed in deadly fighting fueled by internal divisions among Seleka, attacks on the Muslim community in Boda by anti-balaka militias, and ongoing attempts to consolidate territorial control. Violence between Seleka and international troops also rose, with over 60 Seleka and two peacekeepers killed in early August clashes.

Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram intensified attacks in Cameroon’s Far North, after high-profile political kidnappings in Kolofata in late July. Heavy clashes between militants and Cameroonian forces were reported in late August, days after Nigerian soldiers were seen crossing the border for safety.

Clashes between Degodia and Garre clans intensified in Kenya’s northeast, killing over 77 in late August according to reports from the Kenyan Red Cross. Meanwhile, recent Al-Shabaab attacks fuelled revenge ethnic killings and kidnappings in coastal Lamu County, prompting authorities to extend the curfew in the region.

FAITS SAILLANTS

• Environ 3 500 personnes ont fui le Nord Nigéria pour se réfugier dans les îles du Lac Tchad au Niger, entre le 21 et le 31 août 2014; et près de 10 000 personnes pour le seul mois d’août

• D'importants besoins en kits d'hygiène, en moustiquaires, en abris, en vivres et non vivres sont à satisfaire en urgence pour soulager ces personnes en détresse

• Plus de 47 000 personnes déplacées depuis le début de la crise en mai 2013, attendent d’être assistées en fonction de leur vulnérabilité

• Une mission conjointe d’évaluation rapide devrait se rendre dans les îles le jeudi 04 septembre prochain, afin de déterminer les besoins urgents au regard de la réponse actuelle

Le deuxième round de négociations entre le gouvernement de Bamako et les groupes armés du nord s’est ouvert à Alger, dans un climat de tension palpable mais aussi avec la bonne volonté déclarée par la plupart des participants. Il s’agit d’un rendez-vous crucial pour permettre au Mali de trouver un accord de paix définitif et global sur l’Azawad, la vaste région désertique théâtre d’une crise armée et politique durée 18 mois, jusqu’à l’été 2013. En juillet dernier, les parties avaient signé une feuille de route, un premier document qui laisse beaucoup de questions en suspens.

Aujourd’hui, les négociations sont rentrées dans le vif du sujet. Quatre commissions, en charge des questions politico-institutionnelles, sécurité et défense, justice et réconciliation, et développement économique devront, au terme de ces quatre semaines de pourparlers, présenter des propositions communes.

Ces négociations se dérouleront avec la médiation de l’Algérie et du Burkina Faso. « Nous ferons tout ce qui est dans notre pouvoir pour rendre ce rendez-vous d’Alger un moment décisif dans la recherche d’une paix juste et durable au Mali », a déclaré le ministre des Affaires Étrangères algérien, Ramtane Lamamra. « Ne laissez pas que les facteurs de divisions entre vous affectent votre cause et représentent une menace pour la paix », a ajouté son homologue burkinabé, Djibrill Bassolé.

Abdoulaye Diop, chef de la diplomatie de Bamako, confiant, déclare que « la situation sur le terrain s’est stabilisée et que l’accord sur le cessez-le-feu a été en général respecté ».

Les interlocuteurs de Bamako sont le Mouvement national de libération de l’Azawad (MNLA), le Haut conseil pour l’unité de l’Azawad (HCUA), la Coalition du peuple de l’Azawad (CPA), le Mouvement arabe de l’Azawad (MAA) et la Coordination des mouvements et fronts patriotiques de résistance (CM-FPR).

[VV/FT]

Considering the Constitution of the Republic of Mali of 25 February 1992 that guarantees the rights of the human being to life, liberty, safety and physical integrity, and that enshrines the principle of non-discrimination and forbids inhumane, degrading, cruel and humiliating treatment; Considering Resolutions 2100 of 25 April 2013 and 2164 of 25 June 2014 of the United Nations Security Council emphasising that the MINUSMA mandate consists of “enhancing negotiation capacity and promoting the participation of civil society, including women’s organizations” [S/RES/2100 (2013) - §16, b), iii) & S/RES/2164 (2014) - §13, b), ii] ;

Considering the preliminary agreement to the presidential election and the all-inclusive negotiations of 18 June 2013 in Ouagadougou that recall the determination of the parties to “build a prosperous, democratic state that guarantees the rights of all its citizens [...]” and stress their attachment to “the values of democracy, good governance, justice, and the protection and promotion of human rights…” [§ 3&9 of the preamble] ;

Considering that Article 18 of the Ouagadougou Agreement mentioned above provides for the establishment of an international commission of inquiry on war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, crimes of sexual violence, and grave violations of international law on human rights and international humanitarian law;

Welcoming the resumption of negotiations between the government of Mali and the armed groups (MNLA, MAA et HCUA) held in Algiers on 16 July 2014 in order to reach a “permanent solution to the conflict” as sought by our organisations;

Welcoming the creation of four (4) thematic negotiating groups, including the one on “reconciliation, justice and humanitarian matters” provided for in the Consensual Roadmap and a Declaration of Cessation of Hostilities signed by parties to the negotiations in Algiers on 24 July 2014;

Recalling that there can be no just and lasting reconciliation in Mali without an effective response to the needs of justice, with strict respect for the right to recourse and to a fair trial;

Recalling that impunity is one of the causes of the rebellions that have occurred in Mali, with numerous and serious violations of human rights occurring as a consequence;

Recalling that the fight against impunity is one of the key elements of a genuine national reconciliation and a guarantee for the prevention of vengeance;

Recalling that criminal prosecution is intended to produce a dissuasive effect, to provide public denunciation of criminal behaviour, and to provide a direct, individual form of accountability for the guilty persons;

Regretting that the basic principles of the Roadmap do not include the question of human rights or the fight against impunity in general;

Regretting that human rights organisations that assist victims of the crisis were not involved in the Algiers negotiations;

Condemning the lifting of six arrest warrants and the political release of 23 members of the MNLA and HCUA by the Malian government in October 2013, as well as the release of 42 members of armed groups on 15 July 2014, all of which have been denounced by our organisations;

Condemning particularly the liberation of Houka Houka Ag Alfousseyni, a former Islamist judge from Timbuktu indicted for his alleged role in the perpetration of serious violations of human rights by handing down extrajudicial sentences (amputation, summary execution, arbitrary arrests, ill-treatment…), against parties represented as the plaintiff by AMDH and FIDH before the Court of First Instance of Commune III, on 20 June 2014;

Underlining that the confidence-building measures, such as the release of “persons detained because of the conflict” in application Article 18, line 3 of the Ouagadougou Agreement, does not justify the political release of presumed perpetrators of serious human rights violations and the violation of the principle of separation of powers enshrined in article 81 of the Malian Constitution of 25 February 1992;

Finally, recalling that political negotiations are necessary to reach a permanent, inclusive peace agreement that respects national unity and the rights of victims to justice, truth and reparation as enshrined in international and national instruments ;

We, the human rights organisations, recommend to the :

PARTIES TO THE NEGOTIATIONS:

Exclude all amnesty for international crimes, including sexual violence and conscription of child soldiers, in accordance with the Rome Statute to which Mali is a signatory; Pledge to respect and contribute to the smooth functioning of the legal proceedings for these crimes, including the presentation of individual persons before the national and international courts; Fully involve civil society organisations and spokespersons for population groups in political negotiations in order to bring about lasting peace; Promote a peace that is just, equitable, and sustainable for all the people of Mali while ensuring their safety; Maintain national unity, territorial integrity, secularism, and the republican form of government in accordance with the Roadmap; Ensure effective disarmament, demobilisation, and socio-economic reintegration of members of armed groups in accordance with the Ouagadougou Agreement; Collaborate fully and completely with the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, especially with regard to access to records, testimony by the perpetrators and the victims, and unimpeded access to the zones etc.

MALIAN AUTHORITIES:

Take proper measures to ensure that the perpetrators of crimes are prosecuted, brought to trial, and sentenced as appropriate;
Guarantee that victims have the right to justice, truth, and reparation;
Promote the effective participation of all the actors of Malian society in the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission;
Adopt the application decree of Law No. 2012 – 025 of 12 July 2012 on the compensation of victims of the 17 January 2012 rebellion and of the 22 March 2012 insurrection;
Establish the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, in particular by appointing commissioners who meet the criteria of integrity, competence, and impartiality;
Adopt laws to ensure transparent governance and the fair distribution of resources for the development of the northern regions;

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY:

Support the implementation of the international commission of inquiry on the crimes committed in order to begin independent and impartial investigations into the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law; Support the involvement of civil society in the peace negotiation process.

Done in Bamako, 27 August 2014

Signatory organisations:
FIDH
Malian Association for Human Rights – AMDH
Association of Malian Jurists – AJM
Lawyers without Borders – LWB-Mali
Association DEMESO
Collectif Cri du Cœur
Malian Women’s Rights and Citizenship Group – GP/DCF
Women’s Peace and Security Network – ECOWAS-WPSN/Mali
Women in Law and Development in Africa – WILDAF
Amnesty International-Mali – AI Mali
National Federation of Collective Women’s Organisations of Mali – FENACOF
Malian Association for International Law – MIDA
Malian Coalition for the Rights of the Child – COMADE
Malian Coalition of Human Rights Defenders – COMADDH
Malian Coalition for the International Criminal Court – MC-ICC
Tribune des Jeunes pour le Droit au Mali– TRIJEUD-Mali
Association for the Consolidation of Peace, Development, and the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights – TEMEDT
Collective of Actors for Peace – CAP MALI
Journalists network for the Promotion of Human Rights= - RJ-PRODH
National Women’s Movement for Securing Peace and National Unity – MNFPUN
National Commission for Human Rights – CNDH
Network of African Women Ministers and Parliamentarians – NAWMP

Author: Anastasia Moloney

BOGOTA (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Central America’s years of neglect of agriculture, poor water management and lack of planning to help farmers cope with climate change are worsening food shortages caused by a widespread drought, aid agencies say.

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