http://www.irinnews.org/Updated everydayen-gbWed, 22 May 2013 18:30:50 GMTWed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NIAMEY 22 May 2013 (IRIN) - Cholera has struck 248 people in Ayorou in the Tillabéry Region of northwestern Niger, killing six, two of them Malian refugees.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98078/Containing-cholera-in-NigerNIAMEY 22 May 2013 (IRIN) - Cholera has struck 248 people in Ayorou in the Tillabéry Region of northwestern Niger, killing six, two of them Malian refugees.]]>Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NIAMEY 11 April 2013 (IRIN) - The conflict that erupted in Mali in early 2012 brought to the surface a long history of rebellions and autonomy demands by the Tuareg. But the Tuareg in neighbouring Niger appear to have more stable ties with the government there. Does Niger’s experience hold any lessons for Bamako?http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97823/Can-Niger-offer-Mali-lessons-on-the-TuaregNIAMEY 11 April 2013 (IRIN) - The conflict that erupted in Mali in early 2012 brought to the surface a long history of rebellions and autonomy demands by the Tuareg. But the Tuareg in neighbouring Niger appear to have more stable ties with the government there. Does Niger’s experience hold any lessons for Bamako?]]>Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NIAMEY 05 April 2013 (IRIN) - Niger is seeking to end its chronic food shortages through an ambitious agricultural transformation plan - but the plan will have to meet the demands of a fast-growing population living in a mostly desert country that also faces threats to is security.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97790/Niger-seeks-to-end-cycle-of-hungerNIAMEY 05 April 2013 (IRIN) - Niger is seeking to end its chronic food shortages through an ambitious agricultural transformation plan - but the plan will have to meet the demands of a fast-growing population living in a mostly desert country that also faces threats to is security.]]>Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAKAR 15 March 2013 (IRIN) - Aid workers and experts are calling for more attention to education in Mali, where 200,000 children are out of school due to the crisis but where money for emergency education has yet to come forward.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97656/Call-to-end-neglect-of-emergency-education-in-MaliDAKAR 15 March 2013 (IRIN) - Aid workers and experts are calling for more attention to education in Mali, where 200,000 children are out of school due to the crisis but where money for emergency education has yet to come forward.]]>Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAKAR 04 March 2013 (IRIN) - The annual gearing-up of humanitarian programmes to treat the chronic problems of vulnerable Sahelians is a clear sign that development there is not working. As a result, the Sahel is at the centre of the debate on the need to boost vulnerable people's resilience to shocks.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97590/Analysis-The-R-word-Rhetoric-versus-reality-in-the-SahelDAKAR 04 March 2013 (IRIN) - The annual gearing-up of humanitarian programmes to treat the chronic problems of vulnerable Sahelians is a clear sign that development there is not working. As a result, the Sahel is at the centre of the debate on the need to boost vulnerable people's resilience to shocks.]]>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.]]>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAKAR 19 February 2013 (IRIN) - The 2013 Sahel Regional Strategy calls for US$1.66 billion to help meet humanitarian needs and build up resilience among vulnerable groups - an identical figure to the 2012 crisis appeal - even though aid agencies estimate the number of Sahelians at risk of going hungry this year has dropped 44 percent to 10.3 million. IRIN spoke to aid agency representatives to find out why the ask has remained constant.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97505/Why-the-Sahel-needs-1-6-billion-again-this-yearDAKAR 19 February 2013 (IRIN) - The 2013 Sahel Regional Strategy calls for US$1.66 billion to help meet humanitarian needs and build up resilience among vulnerable groups - an identical figure to the 2012 crisis appeal - even though aid agencies estimate the number of Sahelians at risk of going hungry this year has dropped 44 percent to 10.3 million. IRIN spoke to aid agency representatives to find out why the ask has remained constant.]]>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAKAR 18 February 2013 (IRIN) - Militant Islamists fleeing northern Mali under pressure from French forces could undermine security in neighbouring countries from where some of the fighters are believed to hail. They could also attract the support of sympathetic militias in the region, and even target countries with large expatriate communities, analysts say.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97494/The-regional-threat-posed-by-Mali-s-militantsDAKAR 18 February 2013 (IRIN) - Militant Islamists fleeing northern Mali under pressure from French forces could undermine security in neighbouring countries from where some of the fighters are believed to hail. They could also attract the support of sympathetic militias in the region, and even target countries with large expatriate communities, analysts say.]]>Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>BAMAKO/DAKAR 23 January 2013 (IRIN) - Many more northern Malians are likely to face severe food shortages in the coming days and weeks if markets remain blocked by border and road closures, and humanitarian access remains limited, warn food security agencies.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97320/Food-insecurity-the-next-crisis-for-northern-MaliBAMAKO/DAKAR 23 January 2013 (IRIN) - Many more northern Malians are likely to face severe food shortages in the coming days and weeks if markets remain blocked by border and road closures, and humanitarian access remains limited, warn food security agencies.]]>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).]]>Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>BAMAKO/DAKAR 16 January 2013 (IRIN) - Fear and rumour are rife in Mali as French military air strikes against Islamist militants continued for the sixth day in the centre and north of the country.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97258/Fear-rumour-and-relief-as-air-strikes-continue-in-MaliBAMAKO/DAKAR 16 January 2013 (IRIN) - Fear and rumour are rife in Mali as French military air strikes against Islamist militants continued for the sixth day in the centre and north of the country.]]>Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NIAMEY 11 January 2013 (IRIN) - Around 800 Nigerien families have been relocated from areas along the River Niger as water levels during annual flooding are expected to rise above normal and last until February.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97221/Niger-under-water-againNIAMEY 11 January 2013 (IRIN) - Around 800 Nigerien families have been relocated from areas along the River Niger as water levels during annual flooding are expected to rise above normal and last until February.]]>Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAKAR 20 December 2012 (IRIN) - Despite good rains across much of the Sahel this year, 1.4 million children are expected to be malnourished - up from one million in 2012, according to the 2013 Sahel regional strategy.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97093/SAHEL-Malnourished-to-remain-above-one-million-in-2013DAKAR 20 December 2012 (IRIN) - Despite good rains across much of the Sahel this year, 1.4 million children are expected to be malnourished - up from one million in 2012, according to the 2013 Sahel regional strategy.]]>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAKAR 18 December 2012 (IRIN) - Over 700,000 people could be displaced if military intervention goes ahead next year in northern Mali, according to preliminary estimates by humanitarian agencies, who stress that the numbers are just approximations.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97076/MALI-Humanitarian-impact-of-armed-interventionDAKAR 18 December 2012 (IRIN) - Over 700,000 people could be displaced if military intervention goes ahead next year in northern Mali, according to preliminary estimates by humanitarian agencies, who stress that the numbers are just approximations.]]>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.]]>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAKAR 20 November 2012 (IRIN) - Health workers currently immunizing thousands of children and young adults against Meningitis A in Benin are currently doing so without having to spend days preparing ice packs and sourcing generators and fridges to load on trucks because the vaccine has now won approval for being kept at up to 40 degrees Celsius for as long as four days.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96827/HEALTH-Breaking-out-of-the-cold-chainDAKAR 20 November 2012 (IRIN) - Health workers currently immunizing thousands of children and young adults against Meningitis A in Benin are currently doing so without having to spend days preparing ice packs and sourcing generators and fridges to load on trucks because the vaccine has now won approval for being kept at up to 40 degrees Celsius for as long as four days.]]>Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>OUAGADOUGOU/DAKAR 06 November 2012 (IRIN) - Aid agencies have stepped up security measures in Burkina Faso and Niger as the threat of kidnappings by Islamist groups mounts.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96720/BURKINA-FASO-NIGER-Aid-agencies-tighten-securityOUAGADOUGOU/DAKAR 06 November 2012 (IRIN) - Aid agencies have stepped up security measures in Burkina Faso and Niger as the threat of kidnappings by Islamist groups mounts.]]>Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAKAR 01 November 2012 (IRIN) - Elderly Nigerien rice-farmer Adamou Sambeye shows IRIN his rice plot on the banks of the River Niger near the capital Niamey: water lilies fill his still-flooded field. In one corner of it naked children are having fun trying to catch the fish that now swim in it.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96687/NIGER-Farmers-must-prepare-for-more-floodingDAKAR 01 November 2012 (IRIN) - Elderly Nigerien rice-farmer Adamou Sambeye shows IRIN his rice plot on the banks of the River Niger near the capital Niamey: water lilies fill his still-flooded field. In one corner of it naked children are having fun trying to catch the fish that now swim in it.]]>Thu, 25 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAKAR 25 October 2012 (IRIN) - The Sahel food crisis this year put an estimated 18.7 million people at risk of hunger and 1.1 million children at risk of severe malnutrition, prompting the largest humanitarian response the region has ever seen and averting a large-scale disaster. But emergency responses are rarely smooth and there is always room for improvement. IRIN spoke to Sahel aid practitioners, analysts and donors to discuss what hampered the response, and what needs to be done to improve response in the future.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96638/Analysis-Sahel-crisis-lessons-to-be-learntDAKAR 25 October 2012 (IRIN) - The Sahel food crisis this year put an estimated 18.7 million people at risk of hunger and 1.1 million children at risk of severe malnutrition, prompting the largest humanitarian response the region has ever seen and averting a large-scale disaster. But emergency responses are rarely smooth and there is always room for improvement. IRIN spoke to Sahel aid practitioners, analysts and donors to discuss what hampered the response, and what needs to be done to improve response in the future.]]>Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAKAR 24 October 2012 (IRIN) - Sahelians are used to living on the edge and doing all they can to overcome adversity. In 2011, the combined shocks of ongoing high food prices, an end to remittances from Libya, poor harvests across much of the region, and conflict in northern Mali, had a disproportionate effect on the fragile food security situation and the region’s economy: An estimated 18.7 million people are at risk of hunger and 1.1 million at risk of severe malnutrition this year.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96632/SAHEL-What-went-right-in-the-crisis-responseDAKAR 24 October 2012 (IRIN) - Sahelians are used to living on the edge and doing all they can to overcome adversity. In 2011, the combined shocks of ongoing high food prices, an end to remittances from Libya, poor harvests across much of the region, and conflict in northern Mali, had a disproportionate effect on the fragile food security situation and the region’s economy: An estimated 18.7 million people are at risk of hunger and 1.1 million at risk of severe malnutrition this year.]]>Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>THE HAGUE/OUGADOUGOU 18 October 2012 (IRIN) - Ordinary people in two of West Africa’s poorest countries stand to gain if conflict is avoided and a long-standing border dispute is resolved amicably: As hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on the Burkina Faso-Niger border ended on 17 October, delegations from both countries expressed hope the verdict will strengthen relations between them.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96586/BURKINA-FASO-NIGER-ICJ-completes-hearings-on-border-disputeTHE HAGUE/OUGADOUGOU 18 October 2012 (IRIN) - Ordinary people in two of West Africa’s poorest countries stand to gain if conflict is avoided and a long-standing border dispute is resolved amicably: As hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on the Burkina Faso-Niger border ended on 17 October, delegations from both countries expressed hope the verdict will strengthen relations between them.]]>Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 09 October 2012 (IRIN) - On the sidelines of a recent presentation he made in Bangkok on disaster prevention and preparedness, IRIN spoke to Jan Egeland, deputy director of Human Rights Watch, about progress on the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS).http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96495/CLIMATE-CHANGE-Human-Rights-Watch-s-Jan-Egeland-calls-for-faster-progressBANGKOK 09 October 2012 (IRIN) - On the sidelines of a recent presentation he made in Bangkok on disaster prevention and preparedness, IRIN spoke to Jan Egeland, deputy director of Human Rights Watch, about progress on the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS).]]>Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 09 October 2012 (IRIN) - Services to inform communities about the climate are available in higher-income countries, but are not reaching the people most in need of them in developing countries due to lack of government investment and a disconnect between experts and communities facing extreme weather.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96493/CLIMATE-CHANGE-Tackling-the-information-voidBANGKOK 09 October 2012 (IRIN) - Services to inform communities about the climate are available in higher-income countries, but are not reaching the people most in need of them in developing countries due to lack of government investment and a disconnect between experts and communities facing extreme weather.]]>Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>NIAMEY 26 September 2012 (IRIN) - The government of Niger and aid agencies are scrambling to clean and repair thousands of schools that were damaged in the flooding from rains in July and August, which displaced over 500,000 people and killed over 80, in an effort to return children to school as soon as possible.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96395/NIGER-Agencies-scramble-to-repair-schools-after-floodsNIAMEY 26 September 2012 (IRIN) - The government of Niger and aid agencies are scrambling to clean and repair thousands of schools that were damaged in the flooding from rains in July and August, which displaced over 500,000 people and killed over 80, in an effort to return children to school as soon as possible.]]>Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAKAR 20 September 2012 (IRIN) - Niger has nearly halved the death rate of children below five years old since 1998, a significant drop highlighting the benefits of free universal health care for children and pregnant women as well as increased donor funding for health, The Lancet said in a study released on 20 September.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96357/NIGER-Child-mortality-slashedDAKAR 20 September 2012 (IRIN) - Niger has nearly halved the death rate of children below five years old since 1998, a significant drop highlighting the benefits of free universal health care for children and pregnant women as well as increased donor funding for health, The Lancet said in a study released on 20 September.]]>