Food security in southern Africa relies upon small-scale agriculture, a sector in which women take the lead. However, smallholder farmers are among the most vulnerable people to food insecurity, often lacking the resources and access needed to produce or procure adequate food. The effects of climate change exacerbate their vulnerability, which further compromises the food security of the entire region. Unless states ensure that small-scale farmers have the access and resources required to produce or procure adequate food for themselves—and ultimately their countries—climate change will make the right to food unattainable by millions more in southern Africa.

Despite overall progress in hunger reduction globally, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), more than one in four people remain hungry. This is the highest prevalence of any region in the world, and more than double the global average. Climate change is not the only cause of hunger and food insecurity in southern Africa. Rather, it aggravates existing structural, policy and governance deficits.

Recommendations on how to turn the tide of hunger and food insecurity in the region

• The governments of southern Africa should provide secure access to land and water resources through policies deliberately aimed at supporting smallholder farmers, especially women.

• Governments should protect the interests of local communities when facilitating private investments, and should address the insecure tenure rules that leave many women and smallholder farmers vulnerable.

• States should allocate at least 10 percent of their national budgets to agriculture and invest in small-scale farmers, to address existing inequities of land distribution, and access to water and infrastructure.

• National governments must establish rights-based legal and policy frameworks, so that all citizens are entitled to hold states accountable to respect, protect and fulfil everyone’s right to food.

• The Southern African Development Community should support its member states in fulfilling their commitments to invest in agriculture and ensure that small-scale farmers, particularly women, are prioritized. Member states’ progress should be monitored.

• All developed countries must move to meet their pre-2020 commitments to reduce emissions and help developing countries adapt to their changing climates—this will require substantial increases on current investments.

Guatemala, 23 de Noviembre 2014
Fuente: Prensa Libre

La carencia de agua entubada en Macalajau, Uspantán, Quiché, será aliviada en cierta manera gracias a la construcción de varios tanques de captación de lluvia.

Diez reservorios con capacidad de hasta 20 mil litros de agua fueron instalados, con lo que se beneficiará a 70 familias de esa comunidad, ya que les permitirá satisfacer necesidades de consumo, como el riego de huertos.

La obra, que tuvo un costo de Q70 mil, se logró gracias al apoyo de la organización América Solidaria, la municipalidad y el Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Alimentación (Maga).

Montserrat Ganderats, de América Solidaria, expresó que la idea de construir los reservorios surgió luego de haber conocido sobre la pobreza en la que viven los 420 pobladores de Macalajau.

“Nos percatamos de que en la época seca los huertos no eran regados por la falta de agua, y los cultivos morían. Por ello solicitamos ayuda al Maga, que aportó la mano de obra calificada de 10 miembros de su personal para construir los reservorios”, expuso Ganderats.

Detalló que el personal del Maga se hizo cargo de los aspectos técnicos de los recipientes, los cuales fueron construidos con concreto, lámina, madera y tubo PVC.

La disponibilidad de agua les permitirá mantener la producción de sus huertos familiares, señaló Ganderats.

Para llevar a cabo el proyecto, América Solidaria aportó Q42 mil, que fueron utilizados para hacer seis de los 10 reservorios.

Debido a que no era suficiente para proveer a toda la comunidad, la oenegé pidió ayuda a la comuna de Uspantán.

“La municipalidad aportó Q28 mil, para la edificación de otros cuatro depósitos”, agregó Ganderats.

A cada recipiente construido se le dotó de un grifo para que las personas puedan llenar sus cántaros y tinajas.

Los miembros de la comunidad podrán, cuando sus posibilidades lo permitan, introducir tubería a sus casas para no tener que caminar hasta donde están los captadores de agua.

Lorenzo Pérez, uno de los vecinos beneficiados, refirió que antes de la construcción de los que ellos han empezado a llamar llena cántaros, los pobladores debían caminar más de una hora y media entre la montaña para llegar al único sitio donde obtenían agua.

La vicepresidenta Roxana Baldetti encabezó el acto de entrega de raciones de alimentos a tres mil 550 familias campesinas del municipio de Asunción Mita, Jutiapa, como parte de una gira de trabajo por el departamento de Jutiapa.

La actividad efectuada este lunes es parte del programa “Operación Oportunidad” a cargo del Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Alimentación (MAGA), que beneficia a los campesinos que perdieron sus cosechas por la prolongada canícula de este año.

La vicemandataria Baldetti, en un mensaje a la población, precisó que la inversión para la distribución de la ayuda humanitaria del gobierno en el departamento de Jutiapa asciende a más de 18 millones de quetzales, que favorece a 46 mil personas afectadas por la sequía.

Destacó que el próximo mes se cumplirá la tercera entrega mensual de alimentos y del programa Mi Bono Seguro en el departamento de Jutiapa coordinado por el Ministerio de Desarrollo Social.

El plan “Operación Oportunidad” del MAGA implica recibir la ayuda de alimentos a cambio de trabajos en el campo para preparar la próxima cosecha y superar los daños que causó la prolongada canícula de agosto pasado.

El gobierno del presidente Otto Pérez Molina decretó en septiembre el estado de calamidad pública en 16 de los 22 departamentos del país para asistir a la población damnificada por la falta de lluvias, estimada entre 270 mil y 300 mil familias.

De acuerdo con el plan de asistencia humanitaria del gobierno, la distribución de raciones de alimentos se efectuará por seis meses, de octubre pasado a marzo del próximo año.

Los beneficiados reciben 100 libras de maíz, 30 de frijol y 17,5 de harina de soya con vitaminas y nutrientes, además de un alimento terapéutico para evitar la desnutrición crónica infantil.

"En total se perdió el 95 por ciento de la cosecha de frijol y un 90 por ciento de la cosecha de maíz aquí en Jutiapa", manifestó por su parte Germán González, titular de la Secretaría de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional.

Tomás Castillo, uno de los campesinos beneficiados en Jutiapa, agradeció el apoyo brindado por el gobierno. “Dios los bendiga, pues además de ayudarnos con los alimentos, nos dan capacitaciones para cuidar nuestros cultivos".

Javier Martínez, representante del MAGA, informó que durante 15 días se capacita a los agricultores en prácticas de conservación de suelo y agua para evitar pérdidas a futuro.

La vicemandataria Roxana Baldetti, realizó una gira de trabajo por el departamento de Santa Rosa, donde supervisó la entrega de alimentos a familias afectadas por la canícula prolongada. La asistencia alimentaria, que llega a través del plan denominado “Operación Oportunidad”, beneficia en aquel departamento a más de 25 mil familias. Como parte de los compromisos asumidos por el Gobierno de Guatemala, Baldetti ha coordinado el mecanismo de asistencia alimentaria, que se encuentra en la segunda de seis entregas programadas. Este lunes la vicemandataria llegó al municipio de Santa María Ixhuatán en Santa Rosa, donde se benefició a 2 mil 823 familias.

Mediante el plan Operación Oportunidad, la vicegobernante Baldetti, compartió con agricultores y familias la segunda entrega de alimentos, beneficio que se prolongará durante cuatro meses más.

“Ustedes perdieron sus cultivos por esta canícula prolongada, por lo que juntos con el Presidente (Otto Pérez Molina), decidimos traerles sus alimentos durante seis meses para que con su familia no se queden sin alimento”, afirmó Baldetti durante su discurso.

Recordó que la próxima entrega se iniciará en los primeros días de diciembre. En todo el departamento de Santa Rosa se beneficia a un total de 25.700 familias, "El compromiso nuestro es ayudar a los más necesitados y continuaremos trabajando para que sus cultivos vuelvan a crecer", añadió la subjefe de Gobierno.

El plan Operación Oportunidad, implementado por el Gobierno de este país se implementó para atender a las más de 300.000 familias que perdieron sus cosechas a consecuencia de la sequía prolongada durante el presente año, para ello se implementó un estado de calamidad en 16 de los 22 departamentos de la República.

Distribución de alimentos

La distribución de la asistencia alimentaria se realizará por seis meses y los afectados recibirán cada 30 días 100 libras de maíz, 30 de frijol, 17,5 de harina de soya con vitaminas y nutrientes, además de un alimento terapéutico para evitar la desnutrición crónica infantil.

La inversión de la administración actual para apoyar a los afectados por la canícula prolongada es de aproximadamente de 700 millones de quetzales.

Qatar Charity has carried out a number of new recovery projects in Mali as part of its larger program aimed at disaster preparedness, recovery and development.

As part of its ongoing efforts to provide potable water for the largest number of people, Qatar Charity dug an artesian well the village of Muribabogo, in the province of Koulikoro; a region experiencing a severe shortage of drinking water. The well will benefit thousands of citizens in the village and its neighboring areas.

Qatar Charity also provided sheep for the benefit of rural families in the same province, in the villages of Tlomadio, Sala, Murbabogo and Tianfla. This project seeks to contribute to improving the circumstances of the beneficiary households, which suffered from drought, displacement, unemployment and the lack of continuous income. Additional recovery projects included the distribution of sewing machines to poor families in the Koulikoro region of Mali, in six villages which were selected in light of the large need for such projects in light of the high incidence of poverty. The projects focus on households headed by widows, divorcees, or those that include orphans.

Qatar Charity's building of the Hamad Adel Ali bin Ali Al Muslimani School in Sokaina village in Nagba Cor Dora, a suburb of the Malian capital of Bamako included more than just classrooms. The school includes 18 classrooms and an administration room, 17 bathrooms and two water boreholes. A number of Mali government ministers and officials attended the opening of the school, including the Minister for Women and Children, the Minister of Education and the Minister of Sports.

The breakdown of the ceasefire agreement between separatist groups and the Malian government has led to increased incidents of armed groups competing for power and territorial control. Clashes between these groups have caused delays and suspension of some humanitarian activities.

The delivery of government services continues to be weak in many areas of northern Mali. The region is therefore highly dependent on humanitarian aid. The targeting of civilians is less systematic now than during the eruption of the crisis in 2013. The ongoing violence, however, contributes to an overall insecurity and continuing displacements of civilians.

“The access to assistance the Malians require has been reduced, and the physical access of DRC has been significantly impeded as the peace negotiations continue in Algeria. Despite the difficult security conditions, DRC continues to implement its emergency safety net program in Northern Mali and provides 20.500 persons with food items through a food distribution program,” says Dominique Koffy, DRC country director in Mali and Burkina Faso.

The capacity of the armed groups, in terms of weaponry as well as tactical skill, appears to be increasing, as rocket and IED attacks seem to be hitting their target with ever greater precision. At the same time, new armed groups are being created.

The increased activity of other armed actors in parts of Kidal, Gao and Timbuktu regions has made these areas increasingly difficult to reach. There are no security guarantees, and humanitarian access has diminished significantly. Command and control structures have been weakened by internal competition for leadership and shifting alliances. Over the past months, humanitarian organizations have become the target of car hijackings.

“These challenges have led DRC to a number of adaptations used to mitigate risk. These include the creation of new sub bases in strategic areas to decrease travel distance for staff and goods, designation of certain dangerous routes as ‘no go’ areas, increased effort to hire staff at the very local level and greater investment in local acceptance strategies,” says Dominique Koffy.

The adaptations have been relatively effective. However, they require time and resources, and that means the cost to adapt continues to grow. Therefore, there is an urgent need for contingency funding as well as flexible funding in order for DRC to continue to deliver assistance in a safe and reliable way.

Pakistan: Drought conditions in Sindh have affected nearly 1.7 million people; nearly 500 have died in Tharparkar, including 296 children. In FATA, the number of people displaced by the military’s operation Khyber One in the Tirah Valley has grown to 440,000 people, adding to 993,000 displaced by operations in North Waziristan.

Liberia: Two million children are thought to be affected by the consequences of the Ebola epidemic. High levels of unemployment are affecting income: 70% of households in a recent survey said they do not have enough money to afford food.

South Sudan: About 10,000 people, mostly women and children, have fled fighting in Southern Kordofan and are in need of humanitarian assistance in Nhialdu, Unity state. A new estimate has put the death toll from the conflict in South Sudan at 50,000 since December 2013.

Updated: 25/11/2014. Next update: 02/12/2014

Global Emergency Overview Web Interfacec

HIGHLIGHTS

• Central African Republic (CAR): On 20 November, UNHCR was invited by the Representative of President Denis Sassou N'Guesso of the Republic of Congo (RoC), and current mediator to the crisis, to participate in a meeting held in Bangui to discuss the upcoming elections in the country and the feasibility of ensuring the participation of Central African refugees. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) and UN Resident Coordinator of CAR, Mr. Aurélien Agbenonci, the ambassadors of France, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), RoC and China, and representatives of the European Union and USAID. UNHCR welcomed the Central African authorities’ willingness to hold inclusive elections and reiterated its readiness to assist in discussions between authorities in CAR and countries of asylum.

• Cameroon: On 5 November, a suspected case of cholera was reported on the site Timangolo. The patient reportedly came from Gado via Gbiti three days before symptoms appeared. UNHCR coordinated an immediate multi-sectoral response with WHO, UNICEF, NGO partners and local authorities, including the mobilization of a WASH task force to carry out communication and raising awareness, ensuring potable water treatment and disinfection.

Nov 2014

The 2014-2015 cropping campaign was characterized by a late onset. Despite a better spatial and temporal rainfall distribution in August and September, the significant rainfall deficit persisted in the Western part of the Sahel (Cap Verde, Mauritania, Senegal, the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau) and some areas of Mali, Niger and Chad. In those areas, a number of reseeding cases have been reported as well as plot abandonment especially in the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. On the hydrological field, the flows where low in May and June but normalized in July August and September following the rainfall.

However, flood levels are below average in flooding rice-growing areas on the Niger and Senegal Rivers. That could have negative impacts on the dry season crops. The phytosanitary situation is globally calm. However, seed-eating birds caused serious damages on cereals in the areas of Soum and Sourou in Burkina Faso.

Concerning the pastoral situation, after a continued hunger gap, the re-establishment of rains in July permitted an improvement of rangelands and flooding levels of water points at the end of the rainy season. Nevertheless, an early transhumance was mentioned in Mauritania, Senegal, Benin and Chad. In perspective the insecurity in the Northern part of Mali and North-East of Nigeria and Central Africa Republic represent a risk that could disturb the usual transhumance.

Concerning the Regional Crop production, the forecasted figures don’t include Mali and Niger. The total forecasted cereal production is 48 510 000 tones. It is 4 % higher compared to the one of the previous year and 8% higher compared to the average of the previous 5 years. This production level hides, however, disparities from one country to another. Significant decrease of more than 32% is recorded in the Western Sahel countries and an increase of more than 9% in the costal countries.

Compared to the average of the previous 5 years, rice production (14 809 000 tonnes) and maize (18 094 000 tonnes) experienced respectively 25% and 12% increase. Nevertheless, Millet production (3 891 806 tonnes) experienced a decrease of 29%. Groundnut production (5 818 620 tonnes), cassava (84 086 000 tonnes), yam (63 463 000 tonnes) and taro (4 840 000 tonnes) experienced respectively increase of 5%, 7%, 20%, and 92%. The Cowpea production (3 652 584 tonnes) is stable (-1%).

La campagne agricole 2014-2015 a été caractérisée par une installation tardive. Malgré une meilleure répartition spatio-temporelle de la pluviométrie en août et Septembre, des déficits prononcés ont persisté dans la partie Ouest du Sahel (Cap vert, Mauritanie, Sénégal, Gambie et Guinée Bissau) et par endroits au Mali, au Niger et au Tchad. Dans ces zones, de nombreux cas de ressemis ont été signalés, et des cas d’abandons de parcelles notamment en Gambie et Guinée Bissau. Sur le plan hydrologique, les écoulements, faibles en mai et juin, se sont normalisés en juillet, août et septembre à l’image de la pluviométrie.

Cependant, les niveaux des crues sont inférieurs à la moyenne dans les zones rizicoles de submersion sur les fleuves Niger et Sénégal. Ce qui pourrait avoir des incidences sur les cultures de saison sèche. La situation phytosanitaire est globalement calme. Cependant, les oiseaux granivores ont causé des dégâts importants sur les céréales dans les provinces de Soum et de Sourou au Burkina Faso.

Concernant la situation pastorale, après une soudure prolongée, le rétablissement des pluies en juillet a permis une amélioration des pâturages et des niveaux de remplissage des points d’eau en fin de saison des pluies. Toutefois, une transhumance précoce a été signalée en Mauritanie, au Sénégal, au Bénin et au Tchad. En perspective, l’insécurité dans le Nord Mali, le Nord Est du Nigeria et la République Centrafricaine risque de perturber les circuits habituels de transhumance.

Concernant la production agricole régionale, les chiffres prévisionnels n’incluent pas le Mali et le Niger. La production céréalière prévisionnelle totale est estimée à 48 510 000 tonnes. Elle est en hausse de 4% par rapport à celle de l’année dernière et de 8% par rapport à la moyenne des cinq dernières années. Ce niveau de production cache, néanmoins, des disparités d’un pays à l’autre. Des baisses importantes de plus de 32 % sont enregistrées dans les pays du Sahel Ouest, et des hausses de plus de 9% dans les pays côtiers. Comparées à la moyenne des cinq dernières années, les productions de riz (14 809 000 tonnes), et de maïs (18 094 000 tonnes) ont connu respectivement des hausses de 25% et 12%. Par contre, la production de mil (3 891 806 tonnes) connait une baisse de 29%. Les productions d’arachide (5 818 620 tonnes), de manioc (84 086 000 tonnes), d’igname (63 463 000 tonnes) et de taro (4 840 000 tonnes) connaissent respectivement une hausse de 5%, 7%, 20% et de 92%. La production de niébé (3 652 584 tonnes) demeure stable (-1%).

La securité alimentaire s’est ameliorée dans toutes les régions du Tchad grâce aux récoltes

Messages clés

• La production céréalière est estimée à 2.669.653 tonnes, soit une augmentation de 9 pourcent par rapport à la moyenne quinquennale. Malgré cette hausse globale, elle est en baisse par rapport à la moyenne des cinq dernières années dans les régions de Wadi Fira, de la Tandjilé et par rapport à la moyenne des quatre dernières années au Kanem, au Mayo Kebbi Ouest, Moyen Chari et à Hadjer Lamis.

• L’alimentation des ménages est constituée en grande partie par les nouvelles récoles. Les ménages pauvres et très pauvres arrivent à couvrir leurs besoins alimentaires grâce à la disponibilité de divers aliments comme produits laitiers, céréales, oléagineux, niébé, pois de terre, manioc, patate, légumes sauvages, poisson frais ou sec et fumé, les sauterelles, les légumes frais (tomates, laitue, cucurbitacées, carotte….).

• Les ménages pauvres et très pauvres arrivent à couvrir leurs besoins alimentaires de base sans recourir à des stratégies d’adaptation inhabituelles, et toutes les zones de moyen d’existence sont ainsi en phase minimale (Phase 1 de l’IPC), et cette situation y demeurera jusqu’en décembre.

• Entre janvier et mars 2015, les ménages des régions du Kanem, Bar-El-Gazal, et du Guera vont commencer à avoir des problèmes d’accès à la nourriture comme ils dépendront plus que d’habitude des achats sur le marché avec des prix plus élevés que la moyenne dus à la crise énergétique. Pendant cette période, ils seront en Stress (Phase 2 de l'IPC).

Situation alimentaire en amélioration avec les récoltes en cours

Messages clés

• Dans la zone agropastorale du nord, des récoltes inférieures à la moyenne dûes à la mauvaise distribution des pluies et des attaques d’oiseaux granivores conduiront à un épuisement précoce des stocks dès février. L’alimentation des ménages pauvres sera assurée à partir du marché au moment où les termes de l’échange seront à leur défaveur. Ainsi, la dégradation de leur alimentation les conduira à une insécurité alimentaire aigue Stress (Phase 2 de l’IPC).

• Les prix des céréales de base (mil et sorgho) suivent la tendance saisonnière habituelle, marquée par de légères baisses depuis le pic de la soudure en septembre. Cependant, dans la zone agropastorale nord, ils restent néanmoins 18 à 26 pour cent au-dessus de la moyenne quinquennale. Ce niveau élevé des prix pourrait se maintenir jusqu’au mois de mars avec l’accroissement de la demande des ménages sur les marchés.

• La constitution des stocks de prévention se fait à travers le revenu principal tiré de la vente des animaux. Malgré la tendance à la hausse de l’offre observée depuis octobre, les prix des petits ruminants restent globalement stables par rapport à l’année passée et à la moyenne quinquennale, du fait de l’existence de la demande extérieure (Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo) et du bon embonpoint des animaux.

Pour des analyses plus détaillées, veuillez consulter la Perspective sur la sécurité alimentaire d'octobre 2014 à mars 2015.

Katarina Hoije
November 25, 2014 1:28 PM

BAMAKO—Human rights organizations have filed a complaint on behalf of 80 survivors of rape and sexual violence during the occupation of northern Mali.

More than 2,000 women and girls were subject to rape or forced marriages in 2012-2013 when Islamist extremists and separatist rebels took control of Gao and Timbuktu. This is the first independent attempt to bring justice for the victims.

When Gao and Timbuktu first came under occupation in January 2012, hundreds of women and young girls were raped, often by several offenders. In the summer of that year, when Islamist militants took power in the occupied towns, they imposed a system of forced marriage.

Attacks on women

While the rebels would attack women on their way to the field, going to fetch water or even in their homes, the Islamists had a different approach, says lawyer and human rights defender Moctar Mariko.

“The MUJAO (Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa) forced women to marry them,” which, Mariko says, “resulted in another system of rape when only one man married the woman, who was then forced to sleep with several other men.”

Human rights groups and local NGOs have identified at least 2,700 survivors of rape and sexual violence between March 2012 and early 2013 in Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu.

In Gao the main offenders were the rebels of The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, MNLA, and later MUJAO.

In Timbuktu Ansar Dine, another Islamist group, and al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, AQIM, committed a majority of the violations against women.

Little redress

To date, very little has been done to help the women.

There are still no proper courts or a functioning legal system in the north and investigations are slow, Mariko says. He points out that “cases referred to the police were never investigated.”

Together with Malian human rights association, AMDH, and French human rights group FIDH, Mariko represents 80 women who are survivors of the sexual violence.

The oldest victim was over 60 years old, the youngest only 7.

While many women fled during that time, some stayed behind. But for those who have returned, many are forced to face their aggressors on a daily basis as some of the perpetrators have been released in prison exchanges between the armed groups and the Malian government.

“Sometimes the offender is a neighbor or even a family member who joined the rebels. This poses a direct threat to the women,” says Mariam Seck with NGO Sini Sanuman.

The organization has helped women with medical assistance, counseling, safe places to stay and help to start their legal complaints.

But even if women are ready to take their case to court, they face another obstacle. The majority of the offenders remain in the north while the victims fled to the south.

So, early this year a group of lawyers traveled north to Gao, Timbuktu and Konna where they worked with women’s groups to identify victims. The women were later brought to Bamako where the lawyers collected their testimonies.

'Long-term consequences'

While many women do know their offenders, some could only identify them by the language they spoke or what they were wearing, Mariko says.

“These are truly horrific crimes with long-term consequences for many. They were not only physically violated but suffered social stigma,” he says. “In some cases, their husbands left when they learned the rebels had raped their wife. Others became pregnant as a result of the assault,” Mariko says.

Some women tell their daughters to keep quiet about what the armed men did to them, not even telling their husbands, afraid their daughters will not be married.

Lawyers are expensive for the ordinary Malian and court cases drag on. Another problem is that many victims can’t read or write and aren’t aware of their rights.

Human rights defenders - by going to the victims - now hope more women will dare to file complaints as the first cases move to court.

Document Summary

UNDP works with a range of civil society organizations (CSOs) at regional and local levels in Africa to help lift people out of poverty, build resilient communities and promote human rights and thereby advance the millennium Development Goals. To achieve this, UNDP facilitates dialogue between governments and civil society to ensure civic participation in policy planning and reform and enhances partnerships with CSOs for development results.

GUATEMALA. – Alrededor de 11,000 hogares de todo el departamento de Totonicapán que tienen niñas y niños en edad para incluir alimentación complementaria en su dieta (entre 6 y 23 meses), se beneficiarán con la alianza para fortalecer las acciones de Nutrición del Plan del Pacto Hambre Cero, que formaliza hoy Catholic Relief Services –CRS Guatemala– y el Programa Mundial de Alimentos en Guatemala –PMA–, en coordinación con la Secretaría de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional –SESAN.

Esta alianza se fortalece con la firma de un convenio entre CRS y PMA cuyo objetivo principal es desarrollar vínculos de coordinación para fortalecer las acciones encaminadas a reducir la desnutrición crónica de niñas y niños, mejorar la salud de sus madres y aumentar las capacidades del personal que brinda servicios de salud pública en Totonicapán.

Como resultado de este convenio, el PMA con fondos del gobierno de Canadá, y CRS, siendo un programa de desarrollo de USAID, entregarán a las madres beneficiadas, en lo que resta del año por medio de los servicios de salud que tiene el Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social a nivel local, canastas con utensilios que les ayudará a preparar correctamente los alimentos complementarios, así como materiales educativos, como el entregado simbólicamente este día a autoridades del Gobierno de Guatemala.

Cada canasta o kit incluye, además de una guía de uso, un plato, una cuchara, una olla, una taza medidora, un recipiente hermético y un paleta con las dimensiones ideales para preparar o servir las raciones alimenticias con el tamaño apropiado para la edad de los niños y niñas menores de 2 años. La inversión para la compra de las canastas corre a cargo de ambas instituciones.

Para mayor información favor comunicarse con: SESAN: Adriana Rosales, (adriana.rosales@seasn.gob.gt), (502) 2411-1900; CRS: Estuardo Ramirez (estuardo.ramirez@crs.org) (502)2362-2173; PMA: Francisco FIÓN, (francisco.fion@wfp.org), (502) 2328-6000

CAPE VERDE
1,000 PEOPLE EVACUATED AFTER VOLCANO ERUPTION
On Fogo Island, the Pico do Fogo volcano erupted on 23 November prompting the evacuation of approximately 1,000 people from the Cha das Caldeiras village. An emergency situation has been declared for the island of Fogo and neighboring island of Brava. The government has provided social housing to be used as shelters. The volcano last erupted in 1995 and a larger eruption occurred in 1951.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CAR)
3,0000 PEOPLE DISPLACED AFTER UPSURGE OF VIOLENCE IN ZEMIO
The upsurge of violent attacks in Zemio has left 3 killed and over 3,000 displaced. A joint needs assessment conducted in Zemio on 19 November by UNICEF and UNHCR revealed that affected people are in dire need of protection, shelter, water and sanitation.

1.5 MILLION FOOD INSECURE PEOPLE
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification survey, food insecurity affects 1.5 million people in CAR. Populations who fled to the bush and families hosting displaced people are the most affected.

NIGERIA
700,000 IDPs REGISTERED IN THE NORTH EAST
As of 24 November, the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has registered 700,000 IDPs in the north-eastern states of Borno (402,039), Adamawa (160,198) and Yobe (116,536). Displaced people are mostly staying with host families and there are six camps in Adamawa State and twelve in Borno State.

NIGER/NIGERIA
3,000 PEOPLE FLEE VIOLENCE INTO NIGER
Violent clashes occurred on 24 November in Dammassak, Nigeria, 20 km south-east of the Niger region of Diffa. At least 3,000 people fleeing the violence have crossed the border towards Diffa notably to the Chetimari, Chetima wango and Moroy villages.

REGIONAL / EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE (EVD)
15,351 CASES AND 5,459 DEATHS
As of 21 November, a total of 15,351 confirmed, probable, and suspected cases of EVD and 5,459 deaths have been reported.

EIGHT CONFIRMED EBOLA CASES IN MALI
This week, Mali has confirmed one new case of EVD, bringing the number of confirmed cases in the country to eight. The United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) has established an office in the country, to support the Government of Mali in its effort to contain the outbreak.

SAHEL
FOOD AND NUTRITION CRISIS COULD AFFECT 4.2 MILLION PEOPLE
The regional information system for Food Crisis Prevention and Management (PREGEC) released on 24 November preliminary results of the 2014-2015 cropping season in the Sahel and West Africa. It is estimated that the regional crop production is 4 per cent higher as compared to last year and 8 per cent higher as compared to the average of the previous five years. A significant decrease of more than 32 per cent is recorded in Western Sahel countries. Between January and March 2015, food and nutrition crisis could affect over 4.2 million people in Burkina Faso, Gambia, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Chad.