http://www.irinnews.org/Updated everydayen-gbTue, 16 Apr 2013 09:33:01 GMTTue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 16 April 2013 (IRIN) - Improvements in nutrition and stronger government policies have led to a decline in childhood stunting, according to a new report on child nutrition. However, the condition continues to affect some 165 million children under the age of five globally.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97853/Uneven-progress-on-child-stunting-in-East-and-Central-AfricaNAIROBI 16 April 2013 (IRIN) - Improvements in nutrition and stronger government policies have led to a decline in childhood stunting, according to a new report on child nutrition. However, the condition continues to affect some 165 million children under the age of five globally.]]>Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 11 April 2013 (IRIN) - Unusually heavy rains have caused havoc across much of east Africa, displacing thousands of people and damaging important infrastructure.75mm) were again observed over central and southern Somalia,” states an Africa Hazards Outlook report for 11-17 April [ http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/afr_Apr11_2013.pdf ]. “Many local areas have already experienced more than three times their normal rainfall accumulation since the beginning of April, sustaining the risk for localized flash flooding and downstream river inundation over the Jubba and Shabelle River basins in eastern Ethiopia and southern Somalia.” The Shabelle has already burst its banks in some places, according to a 10 April Shabelle River flood update by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization [ http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/flood-update-shabelle-river-10042013 ]. “SWALIM [Somalia Water and Land Information Management] field reports in the last two days indicate river breakages at Hurway (about 8m wide), Eji (about 6m wide) and Maadheere (about 14m wide) villages all in Middle Shabelle Region. This has led to inundation of large areas, causing destruction of cropped area[s] of unconfirmed acreage, and displacement of several families.” Ethiopia The southern and eastern regions of Ethiopia have also received “heavy and well-distributed precipitation totals”, according to the Africa Hazards Outlook, “with lesser amounts observed in the west and higher elevations of the country.” “This has already negatively affected cropping activities, with a reduction of planting over many local Belg [February-May rains]-producing areas of Ethiopia,” it says. With the rains expected to continue, efforts are underway to mitigate their adverse effects. Uganda According to Uganda’s chief weather forecaster, Deus Bamanya, there is an increased likelihood of near-normal to above-normal rainfall over most parts of Uganda, with the rains peaking between mid-April and early-May. Flash flooding could also occur in areas expected to receive below-normal rainfall due to sporadic heavy downpours. “The expected impacts include increased lightning, hailstorms, floods and landslides,” Bamanya told IRIN. The government plans to relocate vulnerable populations living in the eastern Mount Elgon region, which is prone to flooding and landslides [ http://www.irinnews.org/Report/88283/UGANDA-300-feared-dead-as-landslides-bury-villages-in-the-east ]. “We are worried [about] landslides, mudslides and flooding. There are already signs in the low-lying and hilly and mountainous areas,” Musa Ecweru, Uganda’s state minister for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees, told IRIN. “The effects of the heavy rains last year were very devastating. We don’t want [a]repeat. We are going to relocate people in these vulnerable areas. We are only waiting for resources from our development partners to start the relocation exercise,” said Ecweru. The Ugandan government requires some 35 billion shillings (about US$13.5 million) for the exercise. “We are going to de-gazette some government land to relocate these vulnerable populations. We are negotiating with [the] Uganda Wildlife Authority to have this done immediately. We must [re]settle these people as quick[ly] as possible,” he added. The districts of Mbale, Tororo, Kalangala, Bundibugyo and Masaka are among those most affected by hailstorms, according to Catherine Ntabadde-Makumbi, the Uganda Red Cross Society assistant communications director, who added that at least 8,362 people remain without assistance, with 5,681 of them displaced. The displaced are in urgent need of shelter kits, household items and water purifying tablets. Burundi In Burundi, flood-affected areas include the northwestern region of Bubanza, Bujumbura City and the plains of Imbo along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. "We have a problem with rain in the town of Gihanga [in Bubanza]. Houses and plantations were destroyed, causing the displacement of people and stopping work in the fields," Anselme Wakana, governor of Bubanza Province, told IRIN. At least 1,000 hectares of rice has been damaged there, raising food security fears. "We are harvesting rice that was not yet mature due to fear of flooding," said farmer Olive Ngayimpenda. Several homes have been destroyed in the areas of Gihanga. According to Mbonerane Albert, the president of the local NGO Green Belt Action, the situation could worsen due to environmental degradation: deforestation in Bubanza has increased surface runoff, increasing the risk of flooding. Rwanda In neighbouring Rwanda, authorities have issued disaster warnings to those living in risk-prone areas. "High-risk-zone dwellers have [been] given [a] new eviction ultimatum to relocate since we noticed that expected heavy rainfall could affect the vulnerable populations," Antoine Ruvebana, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Refugees Affairs and Disaster Management, told IRIN. Rwanda, due its hilly terrain, is susceptible to erosion, flooding and landslides. According to the Rwandan meteorological services department, several western parts of the country could get ''above-normal rainfall'' during the mid-April to May 2013 period. rk-mh-dn-at-so/aw/rz ]]>http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97830/In-East-Africa-heavy-rains-test-emergency-preparednessNAIROBI 11 April 2013 (IRIN) - Unusually heavy rains have caused havoc across much of east Africa, displacing thousands of people and damaging important infrastructure.]]>Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>JOHANNESBURG 27 February 2013 (IRIN) - New data from the World Bank has revealed that African migrants pay more to send money home to their families than any other migrant group in the world.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97557/African-migrants-pay-high-prices-to-send-money-homeJOHANNESBURG 27 February 2013 (IRIN) - New data from the World Bank has revealed that African migrants pay more to send money home to their families than any other migrant group in the world.]]>Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 18 January 2013 (IRIN) - Africa could reduce its poverty levels faster by focusing more on the production of staples rather than export crops, according to a study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97278/In-Brief-Staples-not-export-crops-key-to-tackling-Africa-s-poverty-reportNAIROBI 18 January 2013 (IRIN) - Africa could reduce its poverty levels faster by focusing more on the production of staples rather than export crops, according to a study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).]]>Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 06 December 2012 (IRIN) - The African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) 2009, also known as the Kampala Convention, came into force on 6 December; it is the world’s first legally binding instrument to cater specifically to people displaced within their own countries.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96984/IDPs-African-IDP-Convention-comes-into-forceNAIROBI 06 December 2012 (IRIN) - The African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) 2009, also known as the Kampala Convention, came into force on 6 December; it is the world’s first legally binding instrument to cater specifically to people displaced within their own countries.]]>Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BUJUMBURA 21 November 2012 (IRIN) - More than half a million Burundian refugees have returned home over the last 10 years as the effects of a 2000 peace accord took hold. Many have returned to their land, and most have received assistance with shelter, food, health and education.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96788/In-Depth-More-to-it-than-just-land-lessons-from-BurundiBUJUMBURA 21 November 2012 (IRIN) - More than half a million Burundian refugees have returned home over the last 10 years as the effects of a 2000 peace accord took hold. Many have returned to their land, and most have received assistance with shelter, food, health and education.]]>Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BUJUMBURA 01 November 2012 (IRIN) - The US$2 billion dollars pledged by donors to support Burundi’s development sounds like a ringing endorsement of the country’s progress from civil war to peace. But experts worry about a range of issues that could derail the country ahead of the 2015 elections.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96689/Analysis-Burundi-s-bumpy-road-to-the-2015-pollsBUJUMBURA 01 November 2012 (IRIN) - The US$2 billion dollars pledged by donors to support Burundi’s development sounds like a ringing endorsement of the country’s progress from civil war to peace. But experts worry about a range of issues that could derail the country ahead of the 2015 elections.]]>Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>JOHANNESBURG 24 October 2012 (IRIN) - Researchers in Africa are identifying ways to improve domestic wheat production in the face of sub-optimal conditions and stiff international competition.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96622/FOOD-The-state-of-African-wheat-researchJOHANNESBURG 24 October 2012 (IRIN) - Researchers in Africa are identifying ways to improve domestic wheat production in the face of sub-optimal conditions and stiff international competition.]]>Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BUJUMBURA 19 October 2012 (IRIN) - Burundi, despite being potentially self-sufficient in food, has the highest level of hunger of all the 79 countries listed in the 2012 Global Hunger Index, published earlier this month by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Welthungerhilfe, and Concern Worldwide.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96592/BURUNDI-Towards-greater-food-securityBUJUMBURA 19 October 2012 (IRIN) - Burundi, despite being potentially self-sufficient in food, has the highest level of hunger of all the 79 countries listed in the 2012 Global Hunger Index, published earlier this month by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Welthungerhilfe, and Concern Worldwide.]]>Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BUJUMBURA 15 October 2012 (IRIN) - The imminent return of more than 35,000 Burundians from Tanzania poses major logistical challenges to aid agencies and the densely populated country they fled amid civil war almost 20 years ago. The return could degenerate into a “humanitarian disaster” if they ignore a 31 December deadline to leave willingly and end up being deported en masse.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96553/BURUNDI-TANZANIA-A-troubled-homecomingBUJUMBURA 15 October 2012 (IRIN) - The imminent return of more than 35,000 Burundians from Tanzania poses major logistical challenges to aid agencies and the densely populated country they fled amid civil war almost 20 years ago. The return could degenerate into a “humanitarian disaster” if they ignore a 31 December deadline to leave willingly and end up being deported en masse.]]>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BUJUMBURA 10 October 2012 (IRIN) - With a couple of clicks, a photo appeared on the Burundian human rights activist’s computer screen: a hillside; a prone, male body, its severed head lying next to it; another man, naked, sitting, ankles and wrists bound, still alive when the photo was taken but since deceased; the uniformed legs of several other men, allegedly police, standing over the scene; the back of a jeep-type vehicle.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96503/BURUNDI-State-still-accused-of-killings-cover-upsBUJUMBURA 10 October 2012 (IRIN) - With a couple of clicks, a photo appeared on the Burundian human rights activist’s computer screen: a hillside; a prone, male body, its severed head lying next to it; another man, naked, sitting, ankles and wrists bound, still alive when the photo was taken but since deceased; the uniformed legs of several other men, allegedly police, standing over the scene; the back of a jeep-type vehicle.]]>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>ADDIS ABABA 10 October 2012 (IRIN) - Bread, pies, pasta and pastries - changing African diets, the result of urbanization, are driving a demand for wheat that is pushing up import bills and complicating food security.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96510/FOOD-We-want-wheat-Africa-apos-s-growing-cereal-demandADDIS ABABA 10 October 2012 (IRIN) - Bread, pies, pasta and pastries - changing African diets, the result of urbanization, are driving a demand for wheat that is pushing up import bills and complicating food security.]]>Wed, 04 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 04 July 2012 (IRIN) - When violence broke out in Kenya in 2008 after a disputed presidential poll, 71-year-old Magdalene Njeri's hometown of Kericho in Rift Valley Province was one of the areas most affected by the violence; while others ran for safety, Njeri, too frail to flee, came under attack by rampaging youths.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95801/DISPLACEMENT-Older-people-face-greater-burdensNAIROBI 04 July 2012 (IRIN) - When violence broke out in Kenya in 2008 after a disputed presidential poll, 71-year-old Magdalene Njeri's hometown of Kericho in Rift Valley Province was one of the areas most affected by the violence; while others ran for safety, Njeri, too frail to flee, came under attack by rampaging youths.]]>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>JOHANNESBURG 19 June 2012 (IRIN) - The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has halved food rations to refugees living in camps in at least four African countries citing a funding shortfall.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95597/AFRICA-Donor-fatigue-forces-WFP-to-cut-refugee-rationsJOHANNESBURG 19 June 2012 (IRIN) - The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has halved food rations to refugees living in camps in at least four African countries citing a funding shortfall.]]>Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BUJUMBURA 11 June 2012 (IRIN) - Burundi is seeking US$349 million for its National Strategic Plan to fight HIV/AIDS over the next five years.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95619/BURUNDI-Government-seeks-funding-for-five-year-HIV-AIDS-planBUJUMBURA 11 June 2012 (IRIN) - Burundi is seeking US$349 million for its National Strategic Plan to fight HIV/AIDS over the next five years.]]>Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>JOHANNESBURG 31 May 2012 (IRIN) - When night falls in the Dadaab refugee complex in eastern Kenya, nearly half a million refugees are plunged into darkness. The lack of light robs schoolchildren of the possibility of studying and provides perfect cover for thieves and rapists.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95558/REFUGEES-Moving-out-of-the-shadowsJOHANNESBURG 31 May 2012 (IRIN) - When night falls in the Dadaab refugee complex in eastern Kenya, nearly half a million refugees are plunged into darkness. The lack of light robs schoolchildren of the possibility of studying and provides perfect cover for thieves and rapists.]]>Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>JOHANNESBURG 15 May 2012 (IRIN) - The UN Development Programme (UNDP) launched its first Africa Human Development Report today, stressing food security as a means to a better quality of life for all.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95459/FOOD-Power-to-the-peopleJOHANNESBURG 15 May 2012 (IRIN) - The UN Development Programme (UNDP) launched its first Africa Human Development Report today, stressing food security as a means to a better quality of life for all.]]>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 27 April 2012 (IRIN) - East Africa's Legislative Assembly has passed a regional HIV/AIDS Bill that seeks to protect the rights of people living with HIV and harmonize regional legislation and policy on the prevention and treatment of HIV.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95371/EAST-AFRICA-Regional-HIV-Bill-passed-without-criminalization-clauseNAIROBI 27 April 2012 (IRIN) - East Africa's Legislative Assembly has passed a regional HIV/AIDS Bill that seeks to protect the rights of people living with HIV and harmonize regional legislation and policy on the prevention and treatment of HIV.]]>Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BUJUMBURA 20 March 2012 (IRIN) - An estimated 1.5 million children in Burundi are without birth certificates with those under five missing out on free medical care, but a nationwide campaign currently under way to register about 170,000 children under 18 in the next two months, could begin to change things.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95111/BURUNDI-Birth-registration-campaign-targets-tens-of-thousandsBUJUMBURA 20 March 2012 (IRIN) - An estimated 1.5 million children in Burundi are without birth certificates with those under five missing out on free medical care, but a nationwide campaign currently under way to register about 170,000 children under 18 in the next two months, could begin to change things.]]>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BUJUMBURA 29 February 2012 (IRIN) - Hundreds of families forced from their homes in the 1990s, as well as former refugees, who are living in informal settlements on the outskirts of Bujumbura, the capital, are seeking a lasting shelter alternative to cramped temporary sites.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/94984/BURUNDI-Homeless-seek-permanent-solutionsBUJUMBURA 29 February 2012 (IRIN) - Hundreds of families forced from their homes in the 1990s, as well as former refugees, who are living in informal settlements on the outskirts of Bujumbura, the capital, are seeking a lasting shelter alternative to cramped temporary sites.]]>Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAR ES SALAAM/BUJUMBURA 24 February 2012 (IRIN) - Pressure is mounting on tens of thousands of Burundian nationals who fled to Tanzania during the civil war in the early 1990s to return home, despite their reluctance to leave. Burundi’s civil war ended in 2005 but it remains in a state of acrimonious political deadlock, with widespread reports of assassinations and human rights abuses since elections in 2010.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/94945/BURUNDI-TANZANIA-Refugees-face-mounting-pressure-to-go-homeDAR ES SALAAM/BUJUMBURA 24 February 2012 (IRIN) - Pressure is mounting on tens of thousands of Burundian nationals who fled to Tanzania during the civil war in the early 1990s to return home, despite their reluctance to leave. Burundi’s civil war ended in 2005 but it remains in a state of acrimonious political deadlock, with widespread reports of assassinations and human rights abuses since elections in 2010.]]>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BUJUMBURA 22 February 2012 (IRIN) - At least 2,000 people displaced by recent torrential rains in the area of Gatumba, on the outskirts of Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, need food and shelter, say officials.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/94925/BURUNDI-Rain-displaced-need-urgent-aidBUJUMBURA 22 February 2012 (IRIN) - At least 2,000 people displaced by recent torrential rains in the area of Gatumba, on the outskirts of Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, need food and shelter, say officials.]]>Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BUJUMBURA 27 January 2012 (IRIN) - There are fears of a looming food shortage in Burundi after heavy rains damaged two successive harvests, say officials.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/94737/BURUNDI-Fears-of-looming-food-shortageBUJUMBURA 27 January 2012 (IRIN) - There are fears of a looming food shortage in Burundi after heavy rains damaged two successive harvests, say officials.]]>Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 28 December 2011 (IRIN) - Launched in 2004, IRIN’s film unit has won numerous awards for its productions, several of which have been aired by prominent international broadcasters. Here is a list of the unit’s most-watched films in 2011.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/94553/FILM-Our-most-watched-films-of-2011NAIROBI 28 December 2011 (IRIN) - Launched in 2004, IRIN’s film unit has won numerous awards for its productions, several of which have been aired by prominent international broadcasters. Here is a list of the unit’s most-watched films in 2011.]]>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>KAMPALA 02 December 2011 (IRIN) - Brandishing a plea for developed countries to make good their promises to reduce carbon emissions, 300 farmers, youths and activists took the scenic route to the COP17 conference in Durban, travelling more than 7,000km from Burundi in 17 days, through 10 eastern and southern African countries, aboard a convoy of buses draped in various national flags.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/94372/CLIMATE-CHANGE-Durban-or-bust-the-Trans-African-Caravan-of-HopeKAMPALA 02 December 2011 (IRIN) - Brandishing a plea for developed countries to make good their promises to reduce carbon emissions, 300 farmers, youths and activists took the scenic route to the COP17 conference in Durban, travelling more than 7,000km from Burundi in 17 days, through 10 eastern and southern African countries, aboard a convoy of buses draped in various national flags.]]>