http://www.irinnews.org/Updated everydayen-gbWed, 22 May 2013 07:30:55 GMTFri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>JOHANNESBURG 17 May 2013 (IRIN) - A month after the Indian Ocean tsunami struck in December 2004, affecting millions, 168 countries signed on to a 10-year plan to make the world safer from natural hazards. Yet the plan, the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015, focused primarily on “what to do to prevent disasters, but not enough on how to implement it,” says Neil McFarlane, chief coordinator and head of all regional programmes at the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/98058/The-making-of-the-Hyogo2-disaster-prevention-frameworkJOHANNESBURG 17 May 2013 (IRIN) - A month after the Indian Ocean tsunami struck in December 2004, affecting millions, 168 countries signed on to a 10-year plan to make the world safer from natural hazards. Yet the plan, the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015, focused primarily on “what to do to prevent disasters, but not enough on how to implement it,” says Neil McFarlane, chief coordinator and head of all regional programmes at the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).]]>Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>TOLIARA 16 May 2013 (IRIN) - Justine Sija, 60, begins her day at 4am, when she buys catch from local fishermen to hawk on the streets of St Augustin Village, in Madagascar’s southern Atsimo-Andrefana Region. The work is hard, but in the last year, access to microcredit has boosted both her business and her hope for the future.Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/98050/Microcredit-helps-small-businesses-buck-the-system-in-MadagascarTOLIARA 16 May 2013 (IRIN) - Justine Sija, 60, begins her day at 4am, when she buys catch from local fishermen to hawk on the streets of St Augustin Village, in Madagascar’s southern Atsimo-Andrefana Region. The work is hard, but in the last year, access to microcredit has boosted both her business and her hope for the future.]]>Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>MBABANE 13 May 2013 (IRIN) - It was an ambitious plan to circumcise the majority of men in Swaziland, an effort to reduce the risk of HIV transmission in a country with the world's highest HIV prevalence. How could it have gone wrong?Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/98023/Circumcision-plans-go-awry-in-SwazilandMBABANE 13 May 2013 (IRIN) - It was an ambitious plan to circumcise the majority of men in Swaziland, an effort to reduce the risk of HIV transmission in a country with the world's highest HIV prevalence. How could it have gone wrong?]]>Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NIZIP 08 May 2013 (IRIN) - Turkey's camps for Syrian refugees are, by many measures, a model of humanitarian assistance. But one important detail appears to have been overlooked: According to aid workers, nowhere in Turkey's 17 refugee camps can survivors of sexual violence find the level of specialized psychosocial support experts say they so desperately need.Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97953/Analysis-Towards-increased-services-for-Syrian-survivors-of-sexual-violenceNIZIP 08 May 2013 (IRIN) - Turkey's camps for Syrian refugees are, by many measures, a model of humanitarian assistance. But one important detail appears to have been overlooked: According to aid workers, nowhere in Turkey's 17 refugee camps can survivors of sexual violence find the level of specialized psychosocial support experts say they so desperately need.]]>Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>JOHANNESBURG 07 May 2013 (IRIN) - A tiny, rapidly breeding cyanide-munching insect, dubbed a “super-fly” by scientists, is threatening the food security of millions of Africans.Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97986/Super-fly-threatens-Rambo-cassava-food-securityJOHANNESBURG 07 May 2013 (IRIN) - A tiny, rapidly breeding cyanide-munching insect, dubbed a “super-fly” by scientists, is threatening the food security of millions of Africans.]]>Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 06 May 2013 (IRIN) - Unemployment, poverty and political marginalization are contributing to the Islamic radicalization of Kenya's youth, a situation experts say must be addressed through economic empowerment and inclusive policies.Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97982/Countering-the-radicalization-of-Kenya-apos-s-youthNAIROBI 06 May 2013 (IRIN) - Unemployment, poverty and political marginalization are contributing to the Islamic radicalization of Kenya's youth, a situation experts say must be addressed through economic empowerment and inclusive policies.]]>Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 06 May 2013 (IRIN) - In the 1980s, Iraqi women enjoyed more basic rights than their counterparts in the region; today, despite steps taken after decades of conflict and sanctions, Iraqi women do not have equal educational or employment opportunities, and many are subjected to gender-based violence.Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97976/Women-yet-to-regain-their-placeDUBAI 06 May 2013 (IRIN) - In the 1980s, Iraqi women enjoyed more basic rights than their counterparts in the region; today, despite steps taken after decades of conflict and sanctions, Iraqi women do not have equal educational or employment opportunities, and many are subjected to gender-based violence.]]>Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>GAO/BAMAKO 06 May 2013 (IRIN) - During the rebel takeover of northern Mali in April 2012, many women said they were subjected to rape or sexual assault. Since then, little or no support has come through for these women, say aid workers.Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97983/Little-support-no-justice-for-Mali-rape-survivorsGAO/BAMAKO 06 May 2013 (IRIN) - During the rebel takeover of northern Mali in April 2012, many women said they were subjected to rape or sexual assault. Since then, little or no support has come through for these women, say aid workers.]]>Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>ISIOLO 24 April 2013 (IRIN) - Assistance to thousands of flood-affected families in Kenya has been curtailed by lack of a national disaster management body, poor coordination, poor rural infrastructure and other challenges.Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97916/Floods-highlight-disaster-management-challenges-in-KenyaISIOLO 24 April 2013 (IRIN) - Assistance to thousands of flood-affected families in Kenya has been curtailed by lack of a national disaster management body, poor coordination, poor rural infrastructure and other challenges.]]>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>BAGHDAD/DUBAI 23 April 2013 (IRIN) - Ten years after the toppling of Iraq’s former leader Saddam Hussein, human development statistics – flawed as they are – paint a complex portrait of a country that has seen improvement over the last decade, but is still largely struggling.Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97897/Iraq-10-years-on-the-humanitarian-impactBAGHDAD/DUBAI 23 April 2013 (IRIN) - Ten years after the toppling of Iraq’s former leader Saddam Hussein, human development statistics – flawed as they are – paint a complex portrait of a country that has seen improvement over the last decade, but is still largely struggling.]]>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>PESHAWAR 17 April 2013 (IRIN) - Ten-year-old Aliya and eight-year-old Asma arrived at Jalozai refugee camp two weeks ago, after escaping a recent surge in hostilities between government forces and militants near the border with Afghanistan.Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97863/Far-from-home-but-closer-to-school-in-PakistanPESHAWAR 17 April 2013 (IRIN) - Ten-year-old Aliya and eight-year-old Asma arrived at Jalozai refugee camp two weeks ago, after escaping a recent surge in hostilities between government forces and militants near the border with Afghanistan.]]>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 17 April 2013 (IRIN) - Countries across Africa are experiencing unprecedented urban growth, presenting women with greater economic and social opportunities as well as greater risks to their safety and welfare.Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97868/For-women-urbanization-is-a-mixed-bagNAIROBI 17 April 2013 (IRIN) - Countries across Africa are experiencing unprecedented urban growth, presenting women with greater economic and social opportunities as well as greater risks to their safety and welfare.]]>Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>JOHANNESBURG 09 April 2013 (IRIN) - Food has become expensive and seems set to stay that way, so growing more of it has become both a necessity and an attractive investment. But the trend has also put contentious issues like agricultural subsidies and genetically modified (GM) crops on the menu once again.Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97809/Subsidies-and-GM-crops-back-on-food-policy-menuJOHANNESBURG 09 April 2013 (IRIN) - Food has become expensive and seems set to stay that way, so growing more of it has become both a necessity and an attractive investment. But the trend has also put contentious issues like agricultural subsidies and genetically modified (GM) crops on the menu once again.]]>Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>KANDAL 02 April 2013 (IRIN) - The status of Iraq’s disputed territories was supposed to be resolved by a referendum in 2007. More than five years later, the vote has not taken place. Meanwhile, residents have been caught in between, with neither the central government in Baghdad nor the Kurdish Regional Government in Erbil willing to provide basic services. Those in need of healthcare have few options.Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97771/In-Iraq-s-disputed-territories-a-health-services-vacuumKANDAL 02 April 2013 (IRIN) - The status of Iraq’s disputed territories was supposed to be resolved by a referendum in 2007. More than five years later, the vote has not taken place. Meanwhile, residents have been caught in between, with neither the central government in Baghdad nor the Kurdish Regional Government in Erbil willing to provide basic services. Those in need of healthcare have few options.]]>Sun, 31 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 31 March 2013 (IRIN) - The British government has announced a major new programme aimed at providing essential healthcare to six million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The five-year, US$270.7 million project will focus on rebuilding health facilities, training health workers, and supplying drugs and equipment.Sun, 31 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97761/Boost-for-healthcare-in-DRCNAIROBI 31 March 2013 (IRIN) - The British government has announced a major new programme aimed at providing essential healthcare to six million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The five-year, US$270.7 million project will focus on rebuilding health facilities, training health workers, and supplying drugs and equipment.]]>Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>JOHANNESBURG 25 March 2013 (IRIN) - A changing climate will inevitably have an impact on gender relations in conservative rural communities, but not enough is being done to boost the resilience of women - already disadvantaged by traditions of inequality.Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97727/Gender-relations-are-changing-along-with-climateJOHANNESBURG 25 March 2013 (IRIN) - A changing climate will inevitably have an impact on gender relations in conservative rural communities, but not enough is being done to boost the resilience of women - already disadvantaged by traditions of inequality.]]>Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 21 March 2013 (IRIN) - Humanitarian agencies in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) North Kivu Province are working to increase their support for hundreds of thousands of displaced people living outside formal camps with little humanitarian support, often relying on the kindness of sometimes equally vulnerable host communities.Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97702/Boosting-support-for-IDPs-outside-DRC-s-formal-campsNAIROBI 21 March 2013 (IRIN) - Humanitarian agencies in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) North Kivu Province are working to increase their support for hundreds of thousands of displaced people living outside formal camps with little humanitarian support, often relying on the kindness of sometimes equally vulnerable host communities.]]>Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAKAR 21 March 2013 (IRIN) - Education experts gathered in the Senegalese capital Dakar this week to discuss what priorities should look like once the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) expire in 2015. The conclusion: more focus on quality and how to measure it; on equity and access for hard-to-reach children; and on what should happen during the first three years of secondary school.Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97695/Drive-for-quality-in-global-education-post-2015DAKAR 21 March 2013 (IRIN) - Education experts gathered in the Senegalese capital Dakar this week to discuss what priorities should look like once the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) expire in 2015. The conclusion: more focus on quality and how to measure it; on equity and access for hard-to-reach children; and on what should happen during the first three years of secondary school.]]>Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>PHNOM PENH 19 March 2013 (IRIN) - Bride trafficking to China from Southeast Asian countries which do not border on that country looks set to grow, says the UN, with the first reported cases from Cambodia in 2012.Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97677/In-Brief-Bride-trafficking-to-China-could-risePHNOM PENH 19 March 2013 (IRIN) - Bride trafficking to China from Southeast Asian countries which do not border on that country looks set to grow, says the UN, with the first reported cases from Cambodia in 2012.]]>Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>KATHMANDU 18 March 2013 (IRIN) - While health experts applaud Nepal’s declining maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in recent years, they say this gain is unsustainable if the country does not address its lack of qualified health staff, especially midwives, to keep women in childbirth alive.Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97667/Analysis-Nepal-s-maternal-mortality-decline-paradoxKATHMANDU 18 March 2013 (IRIN) - While health experts applaud Nepal’s declining maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in recent years, they say this gain is unsustainable if the country does not address its lack of qualified health staff, especially midwives, to keep women in childbirth alive.]]>Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 14 March 2013 (IRIN) - A Papua New Guinea (PNG) study released today calls for condoms to be made more widely available in prisons.Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97646/In-Brief-Condoms-needed-in-PNG-prisonsBANGKOK 14 March 2013 (IRIN) - A Papua New Guinea (PNG) study released today calls for condoms to be made more widely available in prisons.]]>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>FAIZABAD 12 March 2013 (IRIN) - Sadaf Ahmadi*, 18, from the northern Afghan province of Badakshan, has arrived battered and bruised at a women’s refuge centre in Faizabad. It is her fifth such visit.Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97631/Afghan-women-navigate-a-challenging-judicial-landscapeFAIZABAD 12 March 2013 (IRIN) - Sadaf Ahmadi*, 18, from the northern Afghan province of Badakshan, has arrived battered and bruised at a women’s refuge centre in Faizabad. It is her fifth such visit.]]>Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>RUMBEK, LAKES STATE 08 March 2013 (IRIN) - Years after the end of South Sudan’s war with Sudan, the country’s women still find themselves on the front line - this time, battling abuse, child marriage, and a dowry system that commodifies them from birth.Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97616/South-Sudan-apos-s-gender-gap-still-too-wideRUMBEK, LAKES STATE 08 March 2013 (IRIN) - Years after the end of South Sudan’s war with Sudan, the country’s women still find themselves on the front line - this time, battling abuse, child marriage, and a dowry system that commodifies them from birth.]]>Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>BRAZZAVILLE 01 March 2013 (IRIN) - Indigenous women in the Republic of Congo, better known as pygmies - a minority group threatened with extinction - are virtually excluded from reproductive health services. They mostly give birth at home and are exposed to related health risks, according to a 2012 study conducted by the Ministry of Health with support from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97574/In-Congo-few-pygmy-women-have-access-to-reproductive-health-servicesBRAZZAVILLE 01 March 2013 (IRIN) - Indigenous women in the Republic of Congo, better known as pygmies - a minority group threatened with extinction - are virtually excluded from reproductive health services. They mostly give birth at home and are exposed to related health risks, according to a 2012 study conducted by the Ministry of Health with support from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).]]>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DABOU 26 February 2013 (IRIN) - Farmers near Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire’s commercial capital, are abandoning cassava, a staple for many Ivoirians, and switching to natural rubber, a move which may jeopardize food self-sufficiency, analysts say.Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/97547/Rubber-squeezing-out-cassava-around-AbidjanDABOU 26 February 2013 (IRIN) - Farmers near Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire’s commercial capital, are abandoning cassava, a staple for many Ivoirians, and switching to natural rubber, a move which may jeopardize food self-sufficiency, analysts say.]]>