http://www.irinnews.org/irin-fp.aspxUpdated everydayen-gbWed, 16 May 2012 17:30:36 GMTTue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>DADAAB 15 May 2012 (IRIN) - For new arrivals to the world’s largest refugee complex, in eastern Kenya, life is particularly difficult.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95456DADAAB 15 May 2012 (IRIN) - For new arrivals to the world’s largest refugee complex, in eastern Kenya, life is particularly difficult.>]]>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.aspx?ReportId=95459JOHANNESBURG 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.>]]>Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>IBANDA 14 May 2012 (IRIN) - Over 600 Somali troops completed six months of military training in southwestern Uganda on 10 May and are heading home to boost the forces fighting Al Shabab.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95449IBANDA 14 May 2012 (IRIN) - Over 600 Somali troops completed six months of military training in southwestern Uganda on 10 May and are heading home to boost the forces fighting Al Shabab.>]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>JOHANNESBURG 09 May 2012 (IRIN) - Africa’s crises are both honing and stalling the formation of the African Standby Force (ASF) of the African Union (AU) - a quick reaction force that could eventually number about 30,000 troops to be deployed in a range of scenarios, from peacekeeping to direct military intervention.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95426JOHANNESBURG 09 May 2012 (IRIN) - Africa’s crises are both honing and stalling the formation of the African Standby Force (ASF) of the African Union (AU) - a quick reaction force that could eventually number about 30,000 troops to be deployed in a range of scenarios, from peacekeeping to direct military intervention.>]]>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>ADDIS ABABA 25 April 2012 (IRIN) - A lack of awareness of the importance of skilled hospital deliveries in Ethiopia, cultural beliefs, and transport challenges in rural areas are causing a high number of deaths during childbirth, say officials.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95356ADDIS ABABA 25 April 2012 (IRIN) - A lack of awareness of the importance of skilled hospital deliveries in Ethiopia, cultural beliefs, and transport challenges in rural areas are causing a high number of deaths during childbirth, say officials.>]]>Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BAHIR DAR 19 April 2012 (IRIN) - On the surface it had all the trappings of a gathering of current and former heads of state: Legions of presidential bodyguards speaking into their sleeves, electronic security at every entrance, rooftop snipers, road closures and a small army of waiters serving snacks and coffee on the banks of Ethiopia’s Lake Tana. http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95323BAHIR DAR 19 April 2012 (IRIN) - On the surface it had all the trappings of a gathering of current and former heads of state: Legions of presidential bodyguards speaking into their sleeves, electronic security at every entrance, rooftop snipers, road closures and a small army of waiters serving snacks and coffee on the banks of Ethiopia’s Lake Tana. >]]>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>MOGADISHU 17 April 2012 (IRIN) - The Somali Athletics Federation will select one female runner from a field of 10 to compete in the 400-metres at this year's London Olympics. The youngest of those currently training in Mogadishu is Najma, 10. She started running six months ago, shortly after Al-Shabab left the city. “My father encouraged me,” said Najma.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95308MOGADISHU 17 April 2012 (IRIN) - The Somali Athletics Federation will select one female runner from a field of 10 to compete in the 400-metres at this year's London Olympics. The youngest of those currently training in Mogadishu is Najma, 10. She started running six months ago, shortly after Al-Shabab left the city. “My father encouraged me,” said Najma.>]]>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 05 April 2012 (IRIN) - Food insecurity in the eastern Horn of Africa is expected to worsen as a result of less rain than previously forecast falling in the key March-to-May season.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95247NAIROBI 05 April 2012 (IRIN) - Food insecurity in the eastern Horn of Africa is expected to worsen as a result of less rain than previously forecast falling in the key March-to-May season.>]]>Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 04 April 2012 (IRIN) - There is “worrying evidence” that the scale and scope of disasters will increase significantly in coming years and “the international community is not prepared,” says Ross Mountain, director-general of Development Assistance Research Associates (DARA), a Madrid-based think-tank which advocates better humanitarian policies.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95237DUBAI 04 April 2012 (IRIN) - There is “worrying evidence” that the scale and scope of disasters will increase significantly in coming years and “the international community is not prepared,” says Ross Mountain, director-general of Development Assistance Research Associates (DARA), a Madrid-based think-tank which advocates better humanitarian policies.>]]>Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>HARGEISA 30 March 2012 (IRIN) - Officials in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, are appealing for food aid and potable water for thousands of families who have lost their livelihoods in the current drought.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95207HARGEISA 30 March 2012 (IRIN) - Officials in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, are appealing for food aid and potable water for thousands of families who have lost their livelihoods in the current drought.>]]>Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>ADDIS ABABA 30 March 2012 (IRIN) - Late and erratic mid-February to May (`Belg') rains could significantly reduce crop yields in central and southern Ethiopia and adversely affect food security, warn officials.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95211ADDIS ABABA 30 March 2012 (IRIN) - Late and erratic mid-February to May (`Belg') rains could significantly reduce crop yields in central and southern Ethiopia and adversely affect food security, warn officials.>]]>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>HARGEISA 27 March 2012 (IRIN) - Water scarcity in Tog-Wajale, a town straddling the border between northwest Somalia's self-declared republic of Somaliland and Ethiopia, is threatening the health and livelihoods of locals who cannot afford to buy it.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95177HARGEISA 27 March 2012 (IRIN) - Water scarcity in Tog-Wajale, a town straddling the border between northwest Somalia's self-declared republic of Somaliland and Ethiopia, is threatening the health and livelihoods of locals who cannot afford to buy it.>]]>Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>HARGEISA 26 March 2012 (IRIN) - Thousands of traders in Hargeisa, capital of the self-declared republic of Somaliland, are incensed at having their businesses demolished in a city beautification drive, and some fear the move could lead to a crime wave.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95162HARGEISA 26 March 2012 (IRIN) - Thousands of traders in Hargeisa, capital of the self-declared republic of Somaliland, are incensed at having their businesses demolished in a city beautification drive, and some fear the move could lead to a crime wave.>]]>Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>ADDIS ABABA 26 March 2012 (IRIN) - The government has teamed up with Ethiopia's main employees' and employers' associations to launch a new HIV/AIDS workplace policy that is to be implemented across the nation.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95165ADDIS ABABA 26 March 2012 (IRIN) - The government has teamed up with Ethiopia's main employees' and employers' associations to launch a new HIV/AIDS workplace policy that is to be implemented across the nation.>]]>Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>DADAAB 23 March 2012 (IRIN) - IRIN's freelance journalist Moulid Iftin Hujale, in this third installment of his account of life in the Dadaab refugee complex in eastern Kenya, reflects on his hope of returning to his homeland, Somalia, to help rebuild the country amid heightening insecurity in the Dadaab camps.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95142DADAAB 23 March 2012 (IRIN) - IRIN's freelance journalist Moulid Iftin Hujale, in this third installment of his account of life in the Dadaab refugee complex in eastern Kenya, reflects on his hope of returning to his homeland, Somalia, to help rebuild the country amid heightening insecurity in the Dadaab camps.>]]>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 15 March 2012 (IRIN) - Several thousand people have been displaced by clashes between Al-Shabab insurgents and Somali troops assisted by Ethiopian and Kenyan soldiers in Somalia's southwestern Gedo region, locals told IRIN.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95077NAIROBI 15 March 2012 (IRIN) - Several thousand people have been displaced by clashes between Al-Shabab insurgents and Somali troops assisted by Ethiopian and Kenyan soldiers in Somalia's southwestern Gedo region, locals told IRIN.>]]>Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>LONDON 09 March 2012 (IRIN) - Somalis living abroad send home more than US$1 billion - perhaps even as much as $2 billion - every year, and they have kept on doing so, despite bureaucratic obstacles. Now a report commissioned by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) considers how the outside world can help Somalis abroad contribute to the country’s development.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95043LONDON 09 March 2012 (IRIN) - Somalis living abroad send home more than US$1 billion - perhaps even as much as $2 billion - every year, and they have kept on doing so, despite bureaucratic obstacles. Now a report commissioned by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) considers how the outside world can help Somalis abroad contribute to the country’s development.>]]>Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 08 March 2012 (IRIN) - The recent discovery of oil deposits in the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, northeastern Somalia, could improve its population's livelihoods as long as it is handled properly, officials and locals told IRIN.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95031NAIROBI 08 March 2012 (IRIN) - The recent discovery of oil deposits in the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, northeastern Somalia, could improve its population's livelihoods as long as it is handled properly, officials and locals told IRIN.>]]>Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>ADDIS ABABA 08 March 2012 (IRIN) - Ethiopians with disabilities say they have been largely excluded from the government's national HIV programmes and are unable to access services.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=95032ADDIS ABABA 08 March 2012 (IRIN) - Ethiopians with disabilities say they have been largely excluded from the government's national HIV programmes and are unable to access services.>]]>Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 01 March 2012 (IRIN) - Although Al-Shabab insurgents announced their withdrawal from the Somali capital, Mogadishu, in August 2011, insecurity in the city has continued, as evidenced by the targeted killing of a journalist and a bomb blast in the past week.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=94988NAIROBI 01 March 2012 (IRIN) - Although Al-Shabab insurgents announced their withdrawal from the Somali capital, Mogadishu, in August 2011, insecurity in the city has continued, as evidenced by the targeted killing of a journalist and a bomb blast in the past week.>]]>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>KIGALI 29 February 2012 (IRIN) - Drought is likely to return to Somalia and other parts of the Horn of Africa over the next three months, say regional climate scientists meeting in the Rwandan capital, Kigali. The forecast comes just weeks after the UN declared the Somali “famine” over.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=94985KIGALI 29 February 2012 (IRIN) - Drought is likely to return to Somalia and other parts of the Horn of Africa over the next three months, say regional climate scientists meeting in the Rwandan capital, Kigali. The forecast comes just weeks after the UN declared the Somali “famine” over.>]]>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 28 February 2012 (IRIN) - A renewed offensive against Al-Shabab insurgents by Somali government forces, backed by Ethiopian, Kenyan and African Union troops, has sparked another influx of civilians to the capital Mogadishu, locals told IRIN.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=94976NAIROBI 28 February 2012 (IRIN) - A renewed offensive against Al-Shabab insurgents by Somali government forces, backed by Ethiopian, Kenyan and African Union troops, has sparked another influx of civilians to the capital Mogadishu, locals told IRIN.>]]>Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>LONDON 24 February 2012 (IRIN) - The London Conference on Somalia ended with a seven-point plan aimed at boosting humanitarian aid and support for African Union troops, and tougher action on piracy, but “fell short on the measures required to address the risks faced by civilians”, said Amnesty International.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=94936LONDON 24 February 2012 (IRIN) - The London Conference on Somalia ended with a seven-point plan aimed at boosting humanitarian aid and support for African Union troops, and tougher action on piracy, but “fell short on the measures required to address the risks faced by civilians”, said Amnesty International.>]]>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 22 February 2012 (IRIN) - In August, Somalia faces constitutional limbo if the key provisions of a political "roadmap" agreed in September 2011, and one of the topics of this week's conference in London, are not met.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=94926NAIROBI 22 February 2012 (IRIN) - In August, Somalia faces constitutional limbo if the key provisions of a political "roadmap" agreed in September 2011, and one of the topics of this week's conference in London, are not met.>]]>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 21 February 2012 (IRIN) - Many Somalis expect the London Conference on 23 February to lead to peace and stability, while others have questioned what a five-hour meeting can achieve. IRIN spoke to a cross-section about their expectations and whether or not it would help to stabilize the country after more than two decades of civil war:http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=94917NAIROBI 21 February 2012 (IRIN) - Many Somalis expect the London Conference on 23 February to lead to peace and stability, while others have questioned what a five-hour meeting can achieve. IRIN spoke to a cross-section about their expectations and whether or not it would help to stabilize the country after more than two decades of civil war:>]]>