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Chad: In The Sahel Region Of Chad, Half The Population Faces Hunger

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Source: World Food Programme
Country: Chad

N’DJAMENA – New data on food security in the Sahelian belt of Chad shows half the population - around two million people - face hunger and more than a quarter of these people are severely food insecure, needing external assistance to meet their minimum daily food needs, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said today.

An Emergency Food Security Assessment conducted by the Government of Chad in partnership with WFP and other partners in the eight regions of the Sahelian belt, shows the food insecurity and malnutrition situation has worsened over the past year (compared to assessment results from March 2015).

“For vulnerable families throughout the Sahelian belt, the lean season this year will be extremely difficult. WFP is working with the Government and other partners to help the people of Chad to mitigate the impact of the crisis,”said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director in Chad.

Over the past year, food insecurity rates have been steadily rising from 46 percent to 58 percent in the Kanem region, and from 40 percent to 49 percent in the Bahr el Ghazel region.
Malnutrition rates have also worsened since November 2015 in six out of the eight regions (Bahr El Ghazel, Batha, Kanem,Lac, Sila and Wadi Fira).

According to the assessment, various factors are contributing to the worsening food security and nutrition situation:

  • erratic rainfall during the 2015/2016 growing season has led to 11 percent less food being produced compared to the previous year;

  • insecurity and violence spilling across the border from neighbouring Nigeria due to Boko Haram has led to borders being closed and disrupted trade

  • a rise in the price of cereal (for example, sorghum prices in Kanem region have risen by 19 percent and in Wadi Fira by 44 percent);

  • a drop in livestock price due to disruptions in the cross border trading that has negatively impacted the pastoralist communities.

To limit the impact of a multifaceted crisis – food insecurity, economic difficulties, climate change –WFP and its partners are working to reach those who are the most vulnerable in the Sahelian belt.

Food assistance will be provided throughout the lean season (June to September) combined with specialized nutritional support for children, pregnant women and nursing mothers suffering from malnutrition. Lean season interventions will be followed by projects intended to mitigate the impact of shocks over the longer-term (for example by water harvesting and management systems being put in place).

The Emergency Food Security Assessment was conducted with 4,821 households with 10,226 children under five. It was conducted during March-April in the regions of Lac, Bahr el Ghazel, Kanem, Batha, Wadi Fira, Sila, Guéra, Ouaddaï in the Sahelian belt.


South Sudan: Speech at the International Peacekeepers’ Day - Ellen Margrethe Løj, Special Representative of the Secretary-General United Nations Mission in South Sudan

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Source: UN Mission in South Sudan
Country: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Liberia, Mali, South Sudan

UNMISS

Ellen Margrethe Løj

Special Representative of the Secretary-General United Nations Mission in South Sudan

Speech at the International Peacekeepers’ Day 29 May 2015 (10:00 – 11:30)

Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Hussein Mar Nyuot;

Deputy Chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission,

Lt. General Augostino Njorge Distinguished government officials;

Excellencies,

Members of the diplomatic community;

Dear UN colleagues;

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen;

My fellow peacekeepers;

On this occasion, I have the honour to read to you the Secretary General’s statement on Peacekeepers’ Day: “The confidence that the world places in United Nations peacekeeping is reflected in its massive growth in recent years, in terms of both numbers and complexity. Fifteen years ago, the UN had fewer than 40,000 military and police personnel. Today, more than 105,000 uniformed personnel from 124 troop- and police- contributing countries serve under the blue flag, along with 18,000 international and national civilian staff and UN Volunteers. They manifest the best attributes of global solidarity, courageously serving in dangerous environments to provide security to some of the world‟s most vulnerable. Over the past year, the „Blue Helmets‟ deployed across 16 peacekeeping operations around the world have saved countless lives, advanced peace and inspired hope. In South Sudan, more than 200,000 civilians who feared for their lives sought shelter at UN bases. In the Central African Republic, peacekeepers successfully supported landmark presidential and legislative elections that have set the once deeply troubled country on a path to peace and stability. Peacekeepers have confronted armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and disarmed ex- combatants. In Mali, peacekeepers have suffered grave losses that have not deterred them from implementing their mandate. In Haiti, UN Police and civilian experts have helped to mitigate gang violence. When fears of Ebola spread around the world, peacekeepers in Liberia provided security as international experts contained the spread of the virus.In many countries, UN mine-action personnel have transformed danger zones littered with landmines and explosive remnants of war, including cluster munitions, into areas that can be used for schools, hospitals and farms.

As the size, complexity and accomplishments of peacekeeping have grown, unfortunately so have the risks. Before the millennium, about three dozen peacekeepers lost their lives each year; now that figure has spiked on average to 120.

Last year, the list of fallen numbered 129. These peacekeepers came from 50 countries, hailing from the ranks of the military, police, international civil servants, UN Volunteers and national staff. They had vastly different backgrounds, but all shared heroism and the belief that UN peacekeeping is and must remain a global force for good.That is why it is critical to end the deeply disturbing cases of sexual exploitation and abuse on the part of international forces deployed to troubled areas. I have been unrelenting in my call for a focus on the victims. And I am proactively addressing this serious problem at every opportunity while calling on Member States, which alone have the power to discipline their forces, to impose severe consequences that provide a full measure of justice and healing to the affected communities.

Last year, I appointed a High-Level Independent Panel to review how UN peace operations can be strengthened to better meet current and emerging challenges. We are now actively engaged in adapting UN peace operations, making clear improvements to make them faster, more responsive and more accountable to countries and, most importantly, the people we are deployed to serve. On this International Day of International Day of UN Peacekeepers, we honour our heroes – the more than one million men and women who have served under the UN flag with pride, distinction and courage since the first deployment in 1948. And we pay our highest tribute to the more than 3,400 peacekeepers who have lost their lives while in service during that period.

We are forever in their debt. And we pledge today to realize the full potential of United Nations peacekeeping to usher in a better future.”

[ENDS]

SRSG’s message on South Sudan

Ladies and gentlemen,

Here in South Sudan, we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our own fallen heroes. Today, we mourn the loss of 13 UNMISS peacekeepers who lost their lives over the past year, while serving the cause of peace. The loss of these colleagues reminds us all of the risks that UN peacekeepers undertake as they go about their duties, often under extremely challenging conditions. Today, we honour them for their bravery and valour, and their contribution to building peace for the people of South Sudan. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

The theme of this year’s International Peacekeepers’ Day, is ‘honouring our heroes’. And today, we honour our heroes who have lost their lives in the service of peace. But this day is also about honouring our heroes – including those of you here today – who continue to serve the mission in your various capacities: from civilians to police to military, as national staff and international, and as UN volunteers. Every day, each of you perform essential functions, ranging from protection of civilians and community patrolling; liaising with national counterparts on critical reforms; promoting dialogue among communities to mitigate conflict; supporting the implementation of the peace agreement; and managing the logistics and day-to-day operations that keep the mission running strong. You too are heroes, and today, we honour your contribution.

Ladies and gentlemen,
Since we last gathered to celebrate this day one year ago, we have seen this country turn an important corner in its young history. The signing of the peace agreement last August gave this country, its people, and the international community a new reason to hope – hope that the guns would finally be silenced, that the suffering of its people would end, and the scars of the country would begin to heal.
This past month, we saw the formation of the country’s Transitional Government of National Unity. This was a crucial step forward in the peace process – but it is only a first step. The real work of rebuilding the country awaits. UNMISS stands ready to support the transitional government in these critical next phases of the peace process. The people of South Sudan have suffered far too long, and they deserve nothing less.

My fellow peacekeepers,
As I stand here before you, I salute the contribution you make every single day as you perform your duties in the face of often enormous challenges. All of you make your families, your countries, and the United Nations proud.

This Mission, and this country, face a very challenging road ahead. I applaud your efforts to support the goals of the United Nations and contribute to a more peaceful future for the people of South Sudan.

Thank you.

Mali: Mali : Présence opérationnelle des ONGs nationales dans les cercles des régions du nord et du centre (15 mai 2016)

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Mali

Niger: Niger HRP 2016: Funding Status as of 30 May 2016

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Niger

Nigeria: Buhari’s Nigeria: Boko Haram off Balance, but Other Troubles Surge

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Source: International Crisis Group
Country: Nigeria

By Nnamdi Obasi

The peaceful election in March 2015 of President Muhammadu Buhari, a former army general, raised hopes that some of Nigeria’s most pressing security problems could soon be tamed. One year later, the new government has struck at the Islamist Boko Haram insurgency. But Nigeria is sliding deeper into other difficulties.

At his inauguration on 29 May 2015, Buhari pledged he would defeat Boko Haram and deliver greater security. He attacked the insurgents and – with help from Nigeria’s neighbours – has forced them onto the back foot, though the group remains resilient and the fighting has caused a major humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad basin areas. Meanwhile, other security challenges are surging, particularly in the south east, Middle Belt and Niger Delta.

In the south east, Igbo secessionist groups are more stridently demanding restoration of the short-lived Republic of Biafra (1967-1970). Decades-long Igbo grievances have been aggravated by popular misgivings about Buhari’s intentions for the region. Demonstrators have been driven off the streets by the government’s arrest and continued detention of some leading agitators, notably Nnamdi Kanu who heads the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the security forces’ killing of unarmed protesters. But Buhari has not addressed the roots of the unrest. Instead, the government’s hard-fisted reaction has alienated more youth and boosted the agitators’ ranks, threatening more troubles ahead.

Nigeria’s Middle Belt is suffering increasing violence, involving pastoralists, cattle rustlers, agrarian communities, rural bandits and community vigilantes. Recent pastoralist-farmer clashes over land and water resources have produced more casualties: hundreds were killed in Benue state in late February, with about 100,000 displaced across seventeen of the state’s 23 local government areas. These clashes have also spread south, including a 24 April attack by herdsmen in Nimbo, Enugu state, which left over 40 ethnic Igbo residents dead. This is unprecedented in the south east, further stoking Biafran secessionist sentiment. The conflict has also prompted the resuscitation of long-dormant Igbo ethnic vigilantes, notably the armed Bakassi Boys, threatening further violence.

The Niger Delta’s fragile peace is unravelling, too. An earlier insurgency died down in 2009 thanks to a presidential amnesty offered to militants. As the government sought to arrest and prosecute ex-militant leader Government Ekpemupolo (better known as Tompolo) on corruption charges, armed groups notably the little-known Niger Delta Avengers, and the even more obscure Egbesu Mightier Fraternity, have resumed attacks on oil industry assets, cutting the country’s output to its lowest in two decades. Both groups have sent the government their lists of demands, mostly for local control of oil revenues, threatening even more crippling attacks if they are ignored. The government’s response – deploying more military assets and threatening an unmitigated crackdown – portend an escalation of the violence.

Insecurity has been aggravated by a wrenching economic situation. The National Bureau of Statistics reports that the economy contracted by 0.4 per cent in the first quarter of this year, the first time since 2004, and analysts do not expect the second quarter to be any better.

Faced with the precipitous decline in the price of oil, Nigeria’s most significant export, Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) has not delivered on its many pre-election promises of early economic relief. As of 30 April, 26 of the country’s 36 states owed some or all of their workers monthly salaries, some for up to eight months. In March and April, Nigerians suffered some of their worst automobile fuel shortages in recent memory and the government’s decision this month to address scarcity by ending price controls led to a jolting 67 per cent price hike. Furthermore, the electricity sector is still hampered by poorly utilised generation capacity, high transmission losses and frequent outages, intermittently plunging the entire country into darkness. Recent pipeline sabotage by Niger Delta armed groups has further depressed the electricity situation.

Nigeria’s national currency, the naira, has depreciated by over 70 per cent since this time last year, leading inflation to soar to a near six-year high of 13.7 per cent in April 2016. With workers’ purchasing power diminished and many businesses unable to access foreign exchange for their operations, companies are shedding staff. Unemployment is rising: a federal police advertisement of 10,000 vacancies has drawn over one million applicants. Economic desperation could heighten social tension and insecurity.

Some of these challenges are the results of years of misgovernance and corruption; others, such as the oil price plunge, are beyond Buhari’s control. But as the administration enters its second year, it needs to embark on several short- and longer-term measures to reverse the country’s dangerous slide.

In the short term, government needs to consolidate the gains of its counter-insurgency campaign in the north east, while firmly advancing humanitarian and rehabilitation efforts for many affected communities. It must also address the deadly pastoralist-farmer clashes through a combination of security measures and promoting dialogue between these communities. Such measures may not address the fundamental drivers of the conflicts, but they could calm the country while lasting solutions are explored.

Furthermore, the government needs to de-emphasise forceful responses and explore existing political mechanisms to respond to discontent in the south east, Niger Delta and elsewhere. President Buhari should particularly show greater empathy with aggrieved groups.

The federal government needs to urgently deliver sustainable improvement in electricity supply and create the millions of quick impact jobs it promised before the 2015 elections. State governments must also channel their governors’ so-called security votes (funds worth millions of dollars appropriated ostensibly to pay for discrete responses to security challenges but often pocketed by state governors) into constructive use. They must slash extravagant privileges senior state officials undeservedly enjoy, cut wasteful spending, eliminate payroll fraud and pay workers when due.

For the longer term, the government needs to recognise that much of the current violence and insecurity stem partly from the highly dysfunctional police, judicial and penal systems; and partly from fundamental flaws in the country’s federal system. It needs to formulate and implement comprehensive security sector reform. President Buhari also needs to pursue constitutional and administrative reforms that will guarantee citizens’ rights, curb corruption, improve transparency and accountability, and enhance service delivery. He can readily find elaborate guides in the submissions of various high-level national reform conferences held over the years.

Unless the government pursues comprehensive reforms, its gains in subduing Boko Haram will be short-lived and Nigeria could encounter even more deadly violence ahead.

South Sudan: South Sudan Humanitarian Bulletin Issue 7 | 30 May 2016

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: South Sudan

HIGHLIGHTS

• Humanitarian Coordinator condemns violence against aid workers.

• About 21,400 people are displaced in the Greater Baggari area in Wau County.

• Health partners are stepping up malaria preparedness and response efforts.

• There are reports of increasing food insecurity in Eastern Equatoria.

• UN Special Representative calls for action against sexual violence.

FIGURES

No. of Internally Displaced Persons 1.69 million

No. of refugees in neighboring countries (post 15 Dec 2013) 720,394

No. of severely food insecure people from Jan - Mar 2016 2.8 million

FUNDING

$379 million funding received in 2016

29% of appeal funding received in 2016

$1.29 billion requirements for South Sudan 2016 Humanitarian Response Plan

Humanitarian Coordinator condemns the killing of a health worker

The Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Eugene Owusu, has strongly condemned the tragic killing of Sister Veronika Racková, a Slovakian nun and medical doctor who was shot on 15 May 2016 in Yei, while on a humanitarian mission, and later succumbed to her wounds.

“I am deeply saddened by this senseless act and send my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Sister Veronika Racková,” said Mr. Owusu. “I welcome steps being taken by the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice and urge them to act swiftly.”

Sister Veronika Racková was driving an ambulance on her way back from a medical centre when she was attacked. Her death brings the number of aid workers killed in South Sudan since the beginning of the conflict in December 2013 to 54.

“Violence against humanitarian workers and humanitarian assets is categorically unacceptable and must stop,” said Mr. Owusu. “I urge the Transitional Government of National Unity to endeavour to strengthen the safety and security environment for aid workers and will work intensively with them to achieve this.”

Humanitarian partners have recently recorded an increase in attacks, robberies, and harassment against ambulances, particularly in Juba.

Niger: Bulletin humanitaire Niger, avril-mai 2016

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Niger, Nigeria

FAITS SAILLANTS

  • 2,1 millions de personnes sont en insécurité alimentaire.

  • Les régions de Maradi, Zinder et Tahoua sont les plus touchées par la malnutrition aiguë.

  • L’assistance en vivres reste une priorité pour les déplacés du site d’Assaga.

12 pour cent de la population en insécurité alimentaire

Plus de 2 millions de personnes

Selon les résultats de l’enquête sur la vulnérabilité alimentaire en milieu rural, 2,1 millions de personnes, soit 12,4 pour cent de la population, sont en insécurité alimentaire modérée ou sévère.

Les dix départements qui abritent les plus fortes proportions de personnes en insécurité alimentaire sont dans les régions de Maradi, Tahoua, Tillabéry et Zinder. Dans ces départements, plus de 20 pour cent de la population2Fsont en insécurité alimentaire.

Il convient de noter que 4,4 millions de personnes, soit 25,8 pour cent de la population, sont à risque, c’est-à-dire en sécurité alimentaire fragile.

Projections de l’insécurité alimentaire de mars à août

Pour la période de mars à mai 2016, le cadre harmonisé indique que sur les 63 départements que compte le pays, 34 sont sous pression et 4 en phase de crise dans les régions de Diffa (Bosso, Diffa et Nguigmi) et de Dosso (Loga).

Pour la période de juin à août, 42 départements risquent d’être sous pression et 6 en crise, notamment dans les régions de Dosso (Falméye, Loga), de Tillabery (Banibangou,
Ouallam) et Diffa (Bosso et Nguigmi).

Le financement du secteur de la sécurité alimentaire reste insuffisant

En appui au plan de soutien du Gouvernement du Niger, les acteurs humanitaires ciblent 1,5 million de personnes à travers leur plan de réponse pour 2016. Les interventions prévues incluent la distribution de vivres, la distribution d’argent et des activités agricoles visant à réduire la vulnérabilité des ménages agricoles. Pour la mise en œuvre de ces différents programmes, 212 millions de dollars, soit plus de 60 pour cent des fonds recherchés à travers le plan de réponse humanitaire sont destinés au secteur de la sécurité alimentaire. A ce jour, seuls 6,4 millions de dollars sont mobilisés, soit environ 5 pour cent de financement, selon les informations recueillies par le système de suivi financier (fts : http://bit.ly/25cjfuo ) géré par OCHA. Si les financements ne sont reçus rapidement il est à craindre que la situation des personnes affectées par l’insécurité alimentaire et des communautés à risque ne s’aggrave.

Chad: Tchad : Près d’une personne sur deux en situation d’insécurité alimentaire dans la bande sahélienne

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Source: World Food Programme
Country: Chad

N’DJAMENA – Selon les résultats de l’Evaluation de la Sécurité Alimentaire et Nutritionnelle en situation d’urgence (EFSA) menée par le gouvernement tchadien en partenariat avec le Programme Alimentaire Mondial et autres partenaires dans les huit régions de la bande sahélienne, environ deux millions de personnes, soit la moitié de la population de ces régions, se trouvent en état d’insécurité alimentaire. Parmi elles, plus d’un quart subissent une insécurité alimentaire sévère.

Ces résultats démontrent une dégradation de la situation par rapport à la précédente enquête (EFSA, Mars 2015) avec un taux d’insécurité alimentaire en constante hausse, passant de 46 à 58% dans le Kanem et de 40 à 49% dans le Bahr el Ghazel.

Cette situation a des effets directs sur les taux de la malnutrition qui se sont aggravés depuis Novembre 2015 dans six des huit régions analysées (Bahr El Ghazel, Batha, Kanem, Lac, Sila and Wadi Fira).

« Pour les familles vulnérables qui vivent dans la Bande Sahélienne la saison de soudure va cette année être très difficile. Le PAM travaille avec le gouvernement et ses autres partenaires pour porter assistance à la population tchadienne confrontée à cette crise », déclare Mary-Ellen MCGroarty, directrice pays du PAM Tchad.

Cette dégradation de la situation s’explique, selon l’étude, par différents facteurs :

  • une campagne agropastorale 2015/2016 en déficit de 11% par rapport à celle de l’année précédente en raison principalement d’une saison des pluies erratique;

  • la répercussion de la situation sécuritaire dans la région du Lac qui a entraîné la fermeture des frontières avec, comme conséquence, une limitation du commerce vers le Nigéria voisin;

  • une hausse du prix des céréales comme (par exemple le sorgho en hausse de 19% dans le Kanem, 44%dans le Wadi Fira) ;

  • une baisse du prix du bétail en raison des difficultés du commerce transfrontalier avec un impact négatif sur les pastoralistes.

Pour limiter l’impact à court et long terme d’une crise aux multiples facettes, alimentaire, économique, climatique, le PAM et ses partenaires sont mobilisés dans la bande sahélienne.

L’assistance du Programme Alimentaire Mondial et de ses partenaires, grâce à l’appui financier des bailleurs, va combiner dans la bande sahélienne pendant la période de soudure de juin à septembre une assistance alimentaire aux ménages les plus vulnérables avec un soutien nutritionnel spécialisé pour les enfants et les femmes enceintes et allaitantes affectés. Des activités de résilience vont être mises en place par la suite (par exemple aménagement de zones cultivables et de systèmes de gestion de l’eau).

L’enquête a été menée auprès d’un échantillon représentatif de 4,821 ménages qui comprenait 10,226 enfants de 6 à 59 mois. Elle a été conduite en mars/avril dans les regions Lac, Bahr el Gazel, Kanem, Batha, Wadi Fira, Sila, Guéra, Ouaddaï.

Le PAM est la plus grande agence humanitaire qui lutte contre la faim dans le monde en distribuant une assistance alimentaire dans les situations d'urgence et en travaillant avec les communautés pour améliorer leur état nutritionnel et renforcer leur résilience. Chaque année, le PAM apporte une assistance à quelque 80 millions de personnes dans près de 80 pays.

Suivez-nous sur Twitter: @WFP_WAfrica; @wfp_media et @wfp_fr

L’etude EFSA est accessible ici.

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez contacter

Nathalie Magnien, WFP/Tchad, Mob. +235 66 99 30 40

Adel Sarkozi, WFP/Dakar, Mobile +221 776375964


Sudan: Sudan: Key Message Update, May 2016

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Source: Famine Early Warning System Network
Country: South Sudan, Sudan

High acute malnutrition remains a concern with early onset of the lean season

Key Messages

  • The Sudan Acute IPC Analysis from April to July 2016 projected a two-month early start to the lean season in April 2016, and estimated more than 4.4 million people in Sudan facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity, including more than 100,000 people in Emergency (IPC Phase 4), with the largest populations in conflict-affected areas of South Kordofan and Jebel Marra in Darfur.

  • Conflict continues to drive displacement in Jebel Marra areas of the Darfur States and in South Kordofan. In April, about 23,000 people were reported displaced in parts of Central and South Darfur States. Meanwhile, ground fighting In South Kordofan has displaced nearly 34,000 people within SPLM-N-controlled areas since January 2016 and UNHCR registered 1,599 new arrivals from South Kordofan in Yida camp in Unity State of South Sudan in April, totaling 4,635 arrivals since the beginning of 2016.

  • Since January 2016, about 69,000 South Sudanese refugees from conflict-affected and food-insecure areas of South Sudan have arrived in Sudan, about 75 percent more than during the same period last year. East Darfur is hosting about 66 percent of 2016 new arrivals, with the rest in West Kordofan, South Darfur, and White Nile states. The start of the rainy season in June/July is likely to block roads and reduce the influx of refugees from South Sudan.

  • Recently collected nutrition data underline the worrying nutrition situation in Sudan. The Sudan Ministry of Health and UNICEF recently used MUAC to screen for acute malnutrition among children under five years old in 13 states out of 18 states between January and March 2016. Approximately 95,023 of nearly half a million children were identified as acutely malnourished, including 17,848 children with severe acute malnutrition referred for treatment, a 30 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This increase is attributed to increased displacement due to conflict, reduced food access following below-average harvests in 2015 due to El Niño, and the ongoing expansion of MUAC screening and acute malnutrition treatment.

Nigeria: Nigeria mVAM Bulletin 1: May 2016 - Food security in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe deteriorated between January and March

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Source: World Food Programme
Country: Nigeria

KEY MESSAGES

  • According to mVAM findings, the food security situation in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe appears to have deteriorated between January and March.

  • Displaced and poorer households have worse consumption and employ more frequently negative coping strategies than wealthier and host community households.

  • The cost of maize, local rice and palm oil increased from January to March across all three monitored States due to reduced crop production in the past 3 years; increased transportation costs and continuous depreciation of the Nigerian Naira causing a rise in the price of food commodities.

  • Increasing food prices and low casual wage rates in Yobe appear to be driving down households’ purchasing power, which may explain relatively higher use of negative foodbased coping strategies reported by respondents in the state.

INTRODUCTION

The North-East (NE) part of Nigeria has been affected by over six years of Boko Haram insurgency, causing mass displacement of people within the country and across the borders to neighbouring countries, and severely disrupted livelihoods. According to the latest estimates, there just over 1.8 million internally displaced people (IDPs) by insurgency, who are mainly located in in Borno (1,427,999), Yobe (150,718) and Adamawa (134,415). The majority of IDPs (91%) are living with host community who are also facing difficulties to meet some basic needs1. Security constraints in NE of Nigeria continue to limit the implementation of traditional face-to-face surveys, especially in Borno State. In order to monitor the impact of the conflict on food security, NEMA and WFP have opted to use remote data collection through mobile phones to collect basic food security and market data, in order to complement other ongoing assessments (see Box 1).

Nigeria: Storm in the Sahel: Cross-border violence in West Africa

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Source: Peace Direct
Country: Chad, Mali, Niger, Nigeria

May 17 2016: The Sahel region of Africa is struggling with a series of interconnected crises. Matt Batten-Carew discusses the data on cross-border violence.

Rising levels of violence across the Sahel over the past few years have made this region a key front in the fight to ensure human security in Africa. Particularly due to the transnationalised nature of this violence, the threat has not been taken lightly by the countries of the region, external partners, or international organisations that have become involved. This has led to a largely effective if incomplete response in the form of regional security cooperation to deal with the crises which have led to this violence, as well as their aftermath.

Beginning in the early years of this decade, two major crises, at first disparate but over time increasingly interconnected, reached their boiling points in two of the sub-regions of the Sahel. The first was the start of Boko Haram’s insurgency in Nigeria, which can be traced as far back as 2009 but only reached its peak in 2015. This year saw an explosion of Boko Haram attacks not just in Nigeria but throughout the Lake Chad basin, the capture of a large amount of territory within Nigeria, and the Baga massacre which killed at least 150, although some sources estimated that the actual fatalities were as high as 2000.

The second was the infiltration of northern Mali by extremist militant groups during that country’s civil war between the central government and primarily Tuareg rebels in the north. This second conflict was itself linked to the 2011 Libyan civil war, a conflict which led to a number of destabilising factors for the Sahel region.

These two crises have evolved dramatically over time, with foreign militaries having been invited to intervene to assist the governments of Mali and Nigeria with restoring order.

Although largely successful in both cases, underlying problems have not been addressed, and the potential for violence remains high. However, many of these countries’ neighbours have also felt the knock-on effects of the problems faced by Mali and Nigeria, which has led to a significant transnationalisation of violence by militant actors, occurring across borders throughout the region.

Boko Haram: not just a Nigerian problem

This transnationalisation became a major concern first in relation to Boko Haram as it became clear that recruitment, basing, supplies and funds were being brought in from abroad to fuel its war in northeastern Nigeria. Cameroon became the first country to suffer from large scale attacks, and its military became involved in numerous border skirmishes and engaged in the dismantling of training camps in its Far North region, particularly Logone-et-Chari region.

One of the most notable of these early attacks was the July 2014 assault by Boko Haram militants on Kolofata, which targeted the home of the Vice-Prime Minister, as well as the town’s mayor and a senior religious leader.

Niger and Chad have also seen significant violence targeting both their military forces and civilian populations. Boko Haram’s recruitment in Niger became a concern, particularly after Nigeria’s 2013 State of Emergency declaration which saw a large number of refugees cross the border from Nigeria, particularly to the Diffa area of Niger. Although only small scale attacks occurred at first, since 2015 larger scale actions have occurred similar to those in Cameroon. Chad has also seen suicide bombings and other high casualty attacks, alongside kidnappings by Boko Haram fighters who cross Lake Chad and attack lakeside villages.

This trend of regionalised conflict and transnational militancy is not surprising, especially in the age of al-Qaeda and ISIS, but the scale and reach of these groups becomes a serious problem when coupled with the inability of states to cross national boundaries to track them down. This is a significant part of what motivated Nigeria to allow its neighbours, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, to intervene in the northeast to assist it in defeating Boko Haram.

Although this ambitious goal has not yet been accomplished, the effectiveness and speed of the regional coalition in degrading Boko Haram’s capabilities should be noted. However, the most significant aspect of that situation may be that the threat grew to the point that Nigeria, by all accounts a regional leader, willingly invited foreign military forces in despite the fears many states in Africa have over compromising their sovereignty.

AQIM: to the shores of the Atlantic

Moving beyond Boko Haram, a similar trend has evolved from the militancy crisis which grew out of the instability Mali has faced since the Tuareg uprising and associated military coup in 2012. During the government’s absence from the North, extremist militant groups were able to put down roots in communities across the region, including actors such as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Ansar Dine, the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), and Mokhtar Belmokhtar’s brigade. These last two have since merged into the al-Mourabitoun Battalion, which itself is closely aligned with AQIM.

Although the French intervention in Mali and subsequent deployment of its Operation Barkhane force meant to assist its allies in the region in policing these groups have been fairly successful, they have not succeeded in eliminating these militant groups’ ability to carry out attacks. This has been shown most recently in a string of high-fatality, headline-grabbing attacks on hotels and cafes frequented by foreigners not just in Mali but also the capital of Burkina Faso and a town in Cote d’Ivoire on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. This last attack in particular can be seen as an effective showcase of the reach that AQIM and the al-Mourabitoun Battalion appear to possess in areas of West Africa thought to be devoid of a serious militant threat.

Cross border problems, cross border solutions

The takeaway from both of these situations is the need not just to continue but to expand regional security cooperation. The age-old necessity to secure borders, combat transnational criminal networks, and better track the flow of people, in this case militants, can only be effectively tackled at the regional level through improving forums produced by organisations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU). There is also an important role for France as an external partner, a role it is already playing in important ways across the Sahel. As shown most clearly in the conflict against Boko Haram, building this kind of unity offers a clear path to a more peaceful Sahel.

World: Global Emergency Overview Weekly Picks, 31 May 2016

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Source: Assessment Capacities Project
Country: Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syrian Arab Republic, World

Weekly picks

SYRIA

On 27 May, IS launched a three-pronged offensive in Azaz area, which displaced over 45,000 people towards the Bab Al Salam border crossing with Turkey. 15,000 people in Marea are under siege. Most humanitarian workers have been evacuated from the area.

CHAD

Food insecurity is affecting over one million people, 300,000 more than previously estimated. Malnutrition is expected to increase, particularly in the Sahelian belt. The number of severe acute malnutrition cases is expected to reach 325,000 by July. Displaced population also have difficulty accessing food; in Gaoui site, funding shortfalls mean 5,200 returnees have not received food assistance since February.

DRC

Clashes over land access have been reported since March in Djungu and Mahagi territories, Ituri. So far, three villages have been burned down and over 6,000 people displaced. All the schools, markets and health centres in the area have closed. There are fears that the conflict will spread.

Updated: 31/05/2016. Next update: 07/06/2016.

South Sudan: Supporting survivors of conflict in South Sudan

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Source: Oxfam
Country: South Sudan

After decades of fighting South Sudan became an independent state in July 2011. Many people believed that this was the end of fighting in the area. Unfortunately, a power crisis, which began in December 2013, has become a nation-wide conflict, killing thousands of people.

Millions of people have been displaced from their homes in South Sudan. They are facing hunger and acute food insecurity as a result of on-going conflict and are in need of humanitarian assistance. Oxfam is responding to immediate humanitarian needs as well as long term recovery.

We focus on providing clean water, promoting public health, livelihoods support and promoting active citizenship. We also work with our partners on peace building and governance issues.

Access to safe water

Improving access to water is essential to saving people’s lives during a conflict. More than 47 per cent of people in South Sudan do not have access to clean water. This is particularly true for people from conflict-affected areas who have been forced to flee their homes with little to nothing. People walk for long distances to collect unsafe water from contaminated wells and ditches, leading to sickness.

In Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Warrap, Upper Nile and Lakes, Oxfam has provided water to over 350,000 people through a network of taps, pipes, and water tanks to ensure that clean water is accessible to as many people as possible.

“It used to take very long to collect water. Now I collect water in the morning and evening without wasting time,” explained Nyawol Piu who is now able to now collect water from an Oxfam water tank in Jonglie state.

Across South Sudan, communities and camps for those displaced by the conflict lack sanitation infrastructure.

To help combat these problems we are conducting hygiene sessions and distributing hygiene kits containing buckets, jerry cans, soap, water treatment tablets and sanitation pads to support proper hygiene practices. We are also providing the necessary training and materials to build latrines. So far we have provided latrines to benefit 1,973 people.

Food insecurity

Nyamor Nwat lives in a small farming village in an opposition-held area in South Sudan. All major supply routes have been cut off by the conflict, making food and water supplies even scarcer and more expensive.

With no means of income, people like Nyamor can’t afford to buy food from the market to supplement the little they have been able to grow. Before the crisis, her family was able to move around – they could grow twice as many crops and there were more places where their cattle could graze but with all the fighting it just too dangerous now. At the moment her family of 18 have just enough to eat but they will soon be forced to resort to eating grass and leaves to keep hunger at bay.

“When there’s no food I ask for a loan or I beg from my neighbours who have fewer children. Sometimes I feel so weak [from hunger], I worry that I will not have enough milk for the baby. Maybe one day people will see vulnerable people like us and decide to help more” says Martha, a mother of six in a camp near Bor.

The crisis has made it hard for people to plant crops, disrupted livelihoods and markets and forced host and displaced communities to share the little they do have, leaving 4.6 million people without enough food

Since June 2015 over 2,600 tons of food have been delivered via air drops to northern Jonglei. This has helped people survive but it can only be a short-term solution. We are starting complement food distributions with fishing and agricultural activities to help empower people to become self-reliant again.

Supporting livelihoods

As a result of the conflict the economy has weakened and living standards have declined. Many people are unable to meet their day to day needs, putting pressure on already stretched public services and infrastructure. In urban areas like Juba, where the conflict began, living conditions are further restrained by the lack of work.

Oxfam is helping those affected by providing a scarce and vital resource in the town; clean water, to over 28,000 people in a UN camp for displaced people in Juba. We are also ensuring people have opportunities to earn an income.

Within the camp we saw that women and girls were leaving safe areas to find fuel for cooking. To combat this and support livelihoods we identified nine charcoal vendors and set up a voucher scheme. Distributions occur once a month. People receive their vouchers and then proceed to the charcoal vendors who then exchange the vouchers for charcoal. After each distribution, each vendor received funds from Oxfam equivalent to the vouchers collected.

Oxfam has also distributed efficient stoves which prevent the wind from excessively consuming the charcoal. “Charcoal burns slower with this stove, compared to the one I used before,’ says Yang Pal, a recipient of the fuel efficient charcoal stove. ‘It saves time, as you don’t have to keep adding charcoal and it saves money because you don’t have to keep buying charcoal after the vouchers have been used.”

How you can help

So far we have reached nearly 860,000 people in South Sudan with humanitarian assistance and over 350,000 with long-term development support which help to address the root causes of poverty.

With your help we can reach more people in need

Mauritania: Mauritania: Food Insecurity - Emergency Plan of Action Preliminary Final Report (MDRMR007)

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Source: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies
Country: Mauritania

A. Situation analysis

Description of the disaster

This Food Security crisis is a regional crisis affecting the Sahel area. According to the last Harmonized Framework in March 2015, the food insecure population within Mauritania was estimated at 723,000 people in IPC Phase 2 (Stressed) and an additional 260,000 people in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis). The number of households in IPC Phase 2 has risen sharply over the last months. This reflects a gradual deterioration of the situation particularly for the rain-fed farming areas that face a second year of poor crop harvest. The projected situation for June-August 2015 estimated that the number of people affected would increase to 851,000 people under Stressed (Phase 2), 443,000 people in Crisis (Phase 3) and 21,000 people in emergency (Phase 4) on the IPC scale. The food insecurity situation affected the provinces of Hodh Elchargui (19.5%) of the total population), Assaba (16.3%), Brakna (14.9%), Gorgol (14.6%), Hodh Elgharbi (14%) and Guidimakha (13.9%).

According to the Harmonized Framework, (March 2015) the Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) prevalence is 6.2%. This is supported by the various nutritional surveys carried out at the post-harvest period, which ranged from 5.6 to 8.5% nationally. No region of the country exceeds the 10% threshold, but the regions of Hodh El Charqui (9.6%), Guidimakha (9.4%), Brakna (8.8%) and Gorgol (7.7%) are the most affected. It is in this context that the International Federation supported the Mauritanian Red Crescent to respond and provide relief to the most affected people.

Summary of current response Overview of Host National Society To ensure the relief activities were implemented in an effective and efficient manner, the Mauritanian Red Crescent (MRC) invested in trainings. The trainings included two nutrition training sessions targeting 30 volunteers from the two intervention areas. The training enhanced the volunteers’ knowledge of malnutrition, screening techniques, referral of severe malnutrition cases to health facilities, recording, water, hygiene and sanitation, awareness techniques for behavioural change.

The training was followed by nutrition screening campaigns simultaneously conducted in Magtaa Lahjar and Tintane. The campaigns enabled the identification and registration of 2,000 beneficiaries (i.e. children from 6 to 23 months old, pregnant and lactating women). 1,933 beneficiaries out of the targeted 2,000 beneficiaries benefited from the distribution of enriched food. The screening activities were complemented by awareness campaigns to promote good nutrition practices and behavioural change. A total of 1,400 households (8,400 people) were reached by the promotion of good hygienic practices.

World: Children and armed conflict - Report of the Secretary-General (A/70/836–S/2016/360) [EN/AR]

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Source: UN Security Council, UN General Assembly
Country: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Nigeria, occupied Palestinian territory, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, World, Yemen

I. Introduction

1. The present report, which covers the period from January to December 2015, is submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 2225 (2015). It highlights recent global trends regarding the impact of armed conflict on children and provides information on grave violations committed against children in 2015. The main activities with regard to the implementation of relevant Council resolutions and the conclusions of the Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict are outlined. In line with the resolutions of the Council, the annexes to the report include a list of parties that engage in the recruitment and use of children, sexual violence against children, the killing and maiming of children, attacks on schools and/or hospitals and attacks or threats of attacks against protected personnel, and the abduction of children.

2. All the information provided in the present report and its annexes has been vetted for accuracy by the United Nations. In situations in which the ability to obtain or independently verify information is hampered by such factors as insecurity or access restrictions, it is qualified as such. The preparation of the report and its annexes involved broad consultations within the United Nations, at Headquarters and in the field, and with relevant Member States.

3. Pursuant to Security Council resolution 1612 (2005), and in identifying situations that fall within the scope of her mandate, my Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict has adopted a pragmatic approach on the issue, with an emphasis on humanitarian principles aimed at ensuring broad and effective protection for children. Reference to a situation is not a legal determination and reference to a non-State actor does not affect its legal status.

II. Addressing the impact of armed conflict on children

A. Trends and developments

4. Serious challenges for the protection of children affected by armed conflict continued throughout 2015. The impact on children of our collective failure to prevent and end conflict is severe, and the present report highlights the increased intensity of grave violations in a number of situations of armed conflict. Those violations are directly related to the denigration of the respect for international humanitarian and human rights law by parties to conflict.

5. Protracted conflicts had a substantial impact on children. In the Syrian Arab Republic, the five-year conflict has caused the deaths of more than 250,000 people, including thousands of children. In Afghanistan in 2015, the highest number of child casualties was recorded since the United Nations began systematically documenting civilian casualties in 2009. In Somalia, the situation continued to be perilous, with an increase of 50 per cent in the number of recorded violations against children compared with 2014, with many hundreds of children recruited, used, killed and maimed. In a most troubling example, in South Sudan, children were victims of all six grave violations, in particular during brutal military offensives against opposition forces.

6. In Yemen, a particularly worrisome escalation of conflict has been seen. The United Nations verified a fivefold increase in the number of children recruited in 2015 compared with the previous year. This compounded a sixfold increase in the number of children killed and maimed in the same period. These alarming trends continued into early 2016.

7. Attacks on schools and hospitals were prevalent in 2015, linked to the increasing use of air strikes and explosive weapons in populated areas. Armed groups particularly targeted girls’ access to education, although attacks on schools and hospitals were also carried out by government forces. Member States should consider, where necessary, changes in policies, military procedures and legislation to protect schools and hospitals.


World: Le sort des enfants en temps de conflit armé - Rapport du Secrétaire général (A/70/836–S/2016/360)

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Source: UN Security Council, UN General Assembly
Country: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Nigeria, occupied Palestinian territory, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, World, Yemen

I. Introduction

1. Le présent rapport, qui couvre la période allant de janvier à décembre 2015, est soumis en application de la résolution 2225 (2015) du Conseil de sécurité. Il renseigne sur l’impact des conflits armés sur les enfants à l’échelon mondial et donne des informations sur les violations graves commises contre des enfants en 2015. Les principales activités et initiatives menées en exécution des résolutions du Conseil de sécurité sur la question et les conclusions du Groupe de travail sur le sort des enfants en temps de conflit armé y sont également présentées. Conformément aux résolutions pertinentes du Conseil, on trouve dans les annexes au présent rapport la liste des parties qui recrutent et utilisent des enfants, commettent des agressions sexuelles sur la personne d’enfants, des meurtres ou des atteintes à leur intégrité physique, attaquent les écoles et les hôpitaux, ainsi que le personnel protégé, ou menacent de le faire, en violation du droit international.

2. L’Organisation des Nations Unies a vérifié l’exactitude de toutes les informations consignées dans le présent rapport et ses annexes. Elle a signalé les cas où des facteurs comme l’insécurité ou les restrictions d’accès l’ont empêchée de recueillir ou de vérifier des informations en toute indépendance. Le présent rapport et ses annexes sont le fruit de vastes consultations menées au sein du système des Nations Unies, au Siège et sur le terrain, et avec les États Membres concernés.

3. Conformément à la résolution 1612 (2005) du Conseil de sécurité et pour identifier les situations relevant de son mandat, ma Représentante spéciale pour le sort des enfants en temps de conflit armé a adopté une approche pragmatique de la question, en insistant sur les principes humanitaires qui visent à garantir une protection large et efficace des enfants. La mention dans le présent rapport de telle ou telle situation ne vaut pas qualification juridique de ladite situation et la mention de telle ou telle partie non étatique ne préjuge pas de son statut juridique.

II. Impact des conflits armés sur les enfants

A. Tendances et faits nouveaux

4. La protection des enfants touchés par les conflits armés est demeurée très problématique tout au long de l’année 2015. Les enfants font lourdement les frais de notre échec collectif à prévenir et régler les conflits, et les violations graves dont ils sont victimes ont gagné en intensité dans un certain nombre de situations de conflit armé, comme il est mis en évidence dans le présent rapport. Ces violations sont directement liées au peu d’importance accordée au respect des droits de l’homme et du droit international humanitaire par les parties au conflit.

5. Les conflits prolongés ont eu un impact important sur les enfants. En République arabe syrienne, le conflit qui dure depuis cinq ans a déjà fait plus de 250 000 morts, dont des milliers d’enfants. En Afghanistan, l’année 2015 a connu le plus grand nombre de victimes jamais enregistré parmi les enfants depuis que l’ONU a commencé à comptabiliser systématiquement les pertes civiles en 2009. En Somalie, la situation est restée périlleuse, avec une augmentation de 50 % du nombre recensé de violations commises à l’encontre d’enfants par rapport à 2014, soit plusieurs centaines de cas d’enfants recrutés, utilisés, tués ou mutilés. Au Soudan du Sud, il est éminemment préoccupant que des enfants aient subi l’ensemble des six violations graves, notamment lors d’offensives militaires brutales contre les forces d’opposition.

6. Au Yémen, le conflit a connu un embrasement particulièrement inquiétant. L’ONU a établi que le nombre d’enfants recrutés en 2015 avait quintuplé par rapport à l’année précédente. À cela s’ajoute une multiplication par six du nombre d’enfants tués ou mutilés au cours de la même période. Ces tendances alarmantes se sont poursuivies au début de 2016.

7. Les attaques contre des écoles et des hôpitaux ont été très fréquentes en 2015, notamment du fait de l’utilisation croissante de frappes aériennes et d’armes explosives dans des zones peuplées. Les groupes armés ont particulièrement cherché à restreindre l’accès des filles à l’éducation, et quant aux forces gouvernementales elles ont également attaqué des écoles et des hôpitaux. Les États Membres devraient envisager, selon qu’il convient, de modifier leurs politiques, procédures militaires et appareils législatifs afin de protéger de telles installations.

Cameroon: Cameroun : déplacée par le conflit dans le nord, Fadimatou reçoit une assistance vitale

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Source: International Committee of the Red Cross
Country: Cameroon

Malgré les affrontements répétés dans son village natal, Fadimatou Abbas ne voulait pas partir de Fotokol, une localité de l'Extrême-Nord du Cameroun située à quelques kilomètres de la frontière nigériane. Mi-janvier 2016, un grave incident l'a fait changer d'avis.

« Ce jour-là, au petit matin, un obus est tombé dans la cour. Il a détruit une partie de la maison et brûlé beaucoup de nos effets personnels », se souvient-elle.

Craignant pour sa vie et celle de sa famille, la jeune femme de 25 ans décide de fuir avec ses quatre enfants, son mari et les 10 autres enfants de ce dernier, issus d'une union précédente. Après des jours de marche, ils atteignent la ville de Maltam qui accueille aujourd'hui plus de 6 000 déplacés. La famille décide de s'y installer en attendant un retour au calme.

Mais à Maltam aussi, le conflit pèse sur la vie quotidienne : la population résidente a dû partager ses maigres ressources avec les nouveaux arrivés, les activités économiques sont ralenties et il n'y a pas de travail. L'impact de la violence s'est ajouté à des conditions climatiques défavorables ces dernières années et n'a fait qu'aggraver une situation déjà difficile. Le père de famille se rend à Kousseri, à 30 kilomètres au sud, pour y trouver du travail mais il peine à subvenir aux nécessités de sa famille. Le peu d'argent qu'il réussit à envoyer couvre difficilement les besoins des enfants et les frais liés à leur scolarité.

Face à cette situation, le passage des agents du CICR à Maltam pour enregistrer les personnes déplacées par le conflit leur redonne un peu d'espoir, même si, comme dit Fadimatou : « Je n'y croyais pas au début. D'autres personnes sont passées, mais nous ne les avons jamais revues ». Aujourd'hui pourtant, elle a reçu 75 kg de sorgho, 25 kg de haricots niébé, 1 kg de sel, 10 litres d'huile et 12 kg de farine de céréale enrichie. De quoi espérer combler le manque engendré par le conflit dans son panier de ménagère. « On m'a promis cinq distributions similaires d'ici la fin de l'année. J'espère qu'ils tiendront parole », dit-elle, le sourire aux lèvres.

Au total, lors de cette activité, le CICR a distribué de la nourriture à plus de 35 000 déplacés et 8 200 résidents dans quatre localités du Logone et Chari, dont Maltam. Quelques jours plus tard, ils ont aussi reçu des bâches, des nattes, des sets d'ustensiles de cuisine, des couvertures et des kits d'hygiène féminine.

Chad: Mohamed Ibn Chambas: "Our Partnership with Chad and the G5 Sahel countries is vital".

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Source: UN Office for West Africa
Country: Chad

N’Djamena, 30 May 2016- In continuation of his visit to the G5 Sahel countries, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas arrived yesterday in N’Djamena, Chad, for a one-day visit.

During this third leg of his trip, Mohamed Ibn Chambas met with the Prime Minister, Mr. Albert Pahami Padacke. They discussed the security situation in the region and the need to strengthen coordination among countries of the region to tackle threats to peace and security, including those posed by Boko Haram group.

In this regard, Mr. Ibn Chambas commended Chadian authorities’ efforts to preserve peace and stability in the region. He called on the international community to redouble efforts to support the G5 Sahel countries in their fight against terrorism. "The fight against terrorism can be win only through international support and effective regional coordination," said Mr. Ibn Chambas.

Mr. Ibn Chambas also informed of the continued role and the support of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), the new entity established following the merger of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) and Office of the Special Envoy of the United Nations for the Sahel (OSES).

"Our partnership with the G5 Sahel countries remains vital to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS)", Mr. Ibn Chambas stressed.

For his part, Prime Minister M. Padacke expressed expectations of the Chadian government that UN support to the G5 Sahel countries must remain a priority in the search of solutions to peace and security challenges in the region. He also reiterated the commitment of his country to work with the UN and to continue its efforts to contribute to peace and stability in the region.

After Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad, Mohamed Ibn Chambas will travel today to Mali, to continue his working visit to the G5 Sahel countries.

Central African Republic: Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre: Aperçu humanitaire hebdomadaire (24 - 30 mai 2016)

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria

RÉPUBLIQUE CENTRAFRICAINE

PLUS DE 13 000 RETOURNÉS ONT BESOIN D’AIDE

Depuis janvier 2016, 13 785 retours de personnes déplacées internes (PDI) ont été enregistrés dans les villages situés sur l’axe Ouandago-Kabo et Batangafo-Ouandago dans la province de l’Ouham, au nord-ouest du pays. Les PDI sont rentrées volontairement chez elles suite à une diminution des attaques dans la région depuis décembre 2015. Elles avaient fui leurs villages d'origine en 2014 en raison de la violence récurrente entre les groupes armés ainsi qu'avec les éleveurs de bétail. Les retournés, venant des sites de déplacés de Lady, Bouca, Kabo et Batangafo, requièrent une assistance multi-sectorielle. Les besoins prioritaires sont l'accès à l'eau potable, les services de santé et d'éducation.

CAMEROUN

ÉPIDÉMIE DE GRIPPE AVIAIRE

Le 24 mai, le gouvernement a confirmé une épidémie de grippe aviaire après la mort de 15 000 volailles dans une grande ferme avicole de la capitale Yaoundé. Le 26 mai, de nouveaux décès de volailles ont été signalés dans la région du Sud, portant le bilan à environ 30 000 morts, avec un fort lien épidémiologique au complexe avicole de Yaoundé, source de l'épidémie. Aucun cas de décès ou de maladie humaine n’a pour l’instant été rapporté en lien avec cette épizootie. L'OMS et l'UNICEF apportent un soutien technique aux autorités nationales pour les investigations sur le terrain.

CÔTE D’IVOIRE

RAPATRIEMENT VOLONTAIRE DES IVOIRIENS RÉFUGIÉS AU LIBERIA

Le rapatriement volontaire des réfugiés ivoiriens au Liberia continue mais à un rythme plus lent depuis le début de la saison des pluies en mai. Depuis la mi-décembre 2015, lors de la reprise du processus, le HCR a facilité plus de 17 000 retours. En date du 28 mai, 45 000 réfugiés ivoiriens sont encore dans la région, notamment 21 235 au Liberia, 11 423 au Ghana et 7 389 en Guinée. Plus de 220 000 réfugiés ivoiriens avaient trouvé refuge au Liberia après avoir fui leur pays d'origine pendant la guerre civile de 2002 et la crise post-électorale de 2010-2011.

MALI

PRÈS DE 400 000 PERSONNES DÉPLACÉES SONT RENTRÉES CHEZ ELLES

Selon la Matrice de Suivi des Déplacements (DTM) pilotée par le gouvernement malien, un système qui permet de surveiller les mouvements de population, trois ans après la guerre civile du pays, 468 467 anciens déplacés sont retournés dans leurs communautés d'origine, principalement dans la partie nord du pays. Quelque 36 762 personnes restent déplacées à l'intérieur du Mali. La tendance de retour a commencé après les élections présidentielles et législatives, à la suite de la signature du 1er accord de paix en juin 2013 à Ouagadougou, et suite à l'amélioration de la sécurité qui a suivi dans certaines parties des régions du nord du pays.

NIGER

LA SITUATION DES DÉPLACÉS EMPIRE DANS LE SUD-EST

L'Agence des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés (HCR) a averti que les conditions de sécurité et humanitaires se détériorent dans le sud-est du Niger, où des centaines de milliers de personnes se sont installées après avoir fui la violence de Boko Haram.
Selon les chiffres de la mi-mai du gouvernement, la région dans et autour de Diffa a été l'hôte de plus de 241 000 personnes, y compris les réfugiés en provenance du Nigeria, des personnes déplacées à l'intérieur du Niger et le retour des ressortissants nigériens qui vivaient au Nigeria. Quelque 157 000 personnes qui ont fui la terreur de Boko Haram se sont installées dans des camps de fortune le long de la route nationale 1 sur 200 kilomètres, une route principale qui longe la frontière nigériane.

Central African Republic: West and Central Africa: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (24 - 30 May 2016)

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

MORE THAN 13,000 RETURNEES IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE

Since January 2016, 13,785 internally displaced persons (IDPs) returns have been registered in the villages located on the Ouandago-Kabo and Ouandago-Batangafo axes in the country’s north-western Ouham province. The IDPs voluntarily returned to their homes following a decrease in attacks in the area since December 2015. They had fled their villages of origin in 2014 as a result of recurrent violence between armed groups as well as with cattle herders. The returnees, who arrived from IDP sites in Lady, Bouca,
Kabo and Batangafo, require multi-sectoral assistance. Priority needs are access to drinking water, health services and education.

CAMEROON

BIRD FLU OUTBREAK

On 24 May, the Government confirmed a bird flu outbreak after testing samples from a large poultry farm in the capital, Yaoundé. On 26 May, new poultry deaths were reported in the South Region, bringing the toll to an estimated 30,000 deaths, with a strong epidemiological link to the poultry complex in Yaoundé, source of the outbreak. No human death or contamination has so far been reported in connection to the epidemic. WHO and UNICEF are providing technical support to the national authorities for field investigations.

CÔTE D’IVOIRE

VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OF IVORIAN REFUGEES IN LIBERIA

The voluntary repatriation of Ivorian refugees in Liberia continues although at a slower pace since the start of the rainy season in May.
Since mid-December 2015 when the process resumed, UNHCR has assisted more than 17,000 returns. As of 28 May, there are still 45,000 Ivorian refugees in the region including 21,235 in Liberia, 11,423 in Ghana and 7,389 in Guinea. Over 220,000 Ivorian refugees had found refuge in Liberia after fleeing their home country during the 2002 civil war and the 2010-2011 post-electoral crisis.

MALI

NEARLY 400,000 IDPs HAVE RETURNED HOME

According to the Malian government-led Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), a system that monitors population movements, three years after the country’s civil conflict, 468,467 former IDPs have returned to their communities of origin, primarily in the northern part of the country. Some 36,762 people remain internally displaced. The return trend started after the presidential and legislative elections, following the signature of the 1st peace agreement in June 2013 in Ouagadougou, and the ensuing improvement of the security situation in parts of the country’s northern regions.

NIGER

SITUATION WORSENS FOR DISPLACED IN SOUTH-EAST

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned that security and humanitarian conditions are deteriorating in south-east Niger, where hundreds of thousands of people settled after fleeing Boko Haram violence.
According to government figures as of midMay, the area in and around Diffa was hosting over 241,000 people, including refugees from Nigeria, displaced people within Niger, and returning Niger nationals who had been living in Nigeria. Some 157,000 people who have fled Boko Haram terror have settled in makeshift camps 200 kilometres along the National Route 1, a major road that runs parallel to the Nigerian border.

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