http://www.IRINnews.org/Frontpage.asp Updated every day en-gb Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:14:04 GMT United Nations Integrated Regional Information Networks, http://www.IRINnews.org/Frontpage.asp Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>BANGUI, 18 June 2013 (IRIN) - A security crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR) - which began on 10 December 2012, when the rebel Seleka Alliance attacked the capital, Bangui, and continued after Seleka ousted former President François Bozizé on 24 March - is ratcheting up food prices, causing unemployment and salary payment delays, and throwing the banking system into turmoil. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98250 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98250 BANGUI, 18 June 2013 (IRIN) - A security crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR) - which began on 10 December 2012, when the rebel Seleka Alliance attacked the capital, Bangui, and continued after Seleka ousted former President François Bozizé on 24 March - is ratcheting up food prices, causing unemployment and salary payment delays, and throwing the banking system into turmoil.]]> Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>KAMPALA, 18 June 2013 (IRIN) - Sexual minorities, sex workers and people who use drugs who are at a higher risk of HIV than the general population, but in Tanzania, they face widespread police abuse and discrimination in health facilities, according to the new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Wake Up and Step Forward Coalition (WASO), a local rights group. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98248 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98248 KAMPALA, 18 June 2013 (IRIN) - Sexual minorities, sex workers and people who use drugs who are at a higher risk of HIV than the general population, but in Tanzania, they face widespread police abuse and discrimination in health facilities, according to the new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Wake Up and Step Forward Coalition (WASO), a local rights group.]]> Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>DAKAR, 18 June 2013 (IRIN) - While aid agencies agree that early warning systems offer the chance to mitigate humanitarian crises, difficulty in funding pre-emptive measures and government sensitivities in admitting a looming disaster continue to hamper early action. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98244 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98244 DAKAR, 18 June 2013 (IRIN) - While aid agencies agree that early warning systems offer the chance to mitigate humanitarian crises, difficulty in funding pre-emptive measures and government sensitivities in admitting a looming disaster continue to hamper early action.]]> Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>JUBA, 17 June 2013 (IRIN) - Tens of thousands of people have been cut off from water, food and medical care in South Sudan's Jonglei State, after fleeing violence between rebels and the government in Pibor County. They now face escalated risks as the rainy season starts, but aid agencies say the government has denied humanitarian access to these populations. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98242 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98242 JUBA, 17 June 2013 (IRIN) - Tens of thousands of people have been cut off from water, food and medical care in South Sudan's Jonglei State, after fleeing violence between rebels and the government in Pibor County. They now face escalated risks as the rainy season starts, but aid agencies say the government has denied humanitarian access to these populations.]]> Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>KAMPALA, 17 June 2013 (IRIN) - A mobile phone-based health programme designed to improve access to sexual health information and boost safe sex in rural central Uganda had the opposite effect, according to the findings of a Yale University study published in May. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98237 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98237 KAMPALA, 17 June 2013 (IRIN) - A mobile phone-based health programme designed to improve access to sexual health information and boost safe sex in rural central Uganda had the opposite effect, according to the findings of a Yale University study published in May.]]> Fri, 14 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>DAKAR/NIAMEY, 14 June 2013 (IRIN) - West African and Sahel countries are setting up measures to minimize flood damage as the annual rainy season approaches. The African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD) in a seasonal weather outlook says near-average or above-average rainfall is likely over the western Sahel, which stretches across Mauritania, Senegal and western and central Niger. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98221 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98221 DAKAR/NIAMEY, 14 June 2013 (IRIN) - West African and Sahel countries are setting up measures to minimize flood damage as the annual rainy season approaches. The African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD) in a seasonal weather outlook says near-average or above-average rainfall is likely over the western Sahel, which stretches across Mauritania, Senegal and western and central Niger.]]> Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>ABIDJAN, 13 June 2013 (IRIN) - About a third of Côte d'Ivoire's cashew nuts are smuggled abroad every year, robbing the country of a valuable income stream. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98225 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98225 ABIDJAN, 13 June 2013 (IRIN) - About a third of Côte d'Ivoire's cashew nuts are smuggled abroad every year, robbing the country of a valuable income stream.]]> Wed, 12 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>NAIROBI, 12 June 2013 (IRIN) - The UN and the African Union must step forward and take decisive action to stop Sudan from committing war crimes against civilians in Blue Nile State, says a new Amnesty International report, dismissed as “false” by Khartoum. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98220 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98220 NAIROBI, 12 June 2013 (IRIN) - The UN and the African Union must step forward and take decisive action to stop Sudan from committing war crimes against civilians in Blue Nile State, says a new Amnesty International report, dismissed as “false” by Khartoum.]]> Wed, 12 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>KAMPALA, 12 June 2013 (IRIN) - Uganda has run out of most antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), HIV testing kits, drugs to treat opportunistic infections and several crucial diagnostic tools for HIV care, according to a recent Ministry of Health stock status report. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98217 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98217 KAMPALA, 12 June 2013 (IRIN) - Uganda has run out of most antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), HIV testing kits, drugs to treat opportunistic infections and several crucial diagnostic tools for HIV care, according to a recent Ministry of Health stock status report.]]> Wed, 12 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>FREETOWN, 12 June 2013 (IRIN) - As the fleeting storms of May give way to the persistent downpours of June, the National Cholera Taskforce in Freetown, Sierra Leone, is working to prevent a repeat of last year's cholera outbreak. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98214 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98214 FREETOWN, 12 June 2013 (IRIN) - As the fleeting storms of May give way to the persistent downpours of June, the National Cholera Taskforce in Freetown, Sierra Leone, is working to prevent a repeat of last year's cholera outbreak.]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>KAMPALA, 11 June 2013 (IRIN) - More than 15,000 people living with HIV in the Central African Republic (CAR) had their life-prolonging antiretroviral (ARV) treatment interrupted as a result of the instability before, during and after the 24 March coup by the Séléka rebel group. NGOs are now struggling to ensure these people resume their regimens to reduce the risk of illness, drug resistance and death. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98208 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98208 KAMPALA, 11 June 2013 (IRIN) - More than 15,000 people living with HIV in the Central African Republic (CAR) had their life-prolonging antiretroviral (ARV) treatment interrupted as a result of the instability before, during and after the 24 March coup by the Séléka rebel group. NGOs are now struggling to ensure these people resume their regimens to reduce the risk of illness, drug resistance and death.]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>KANO, 11 June 2013 (IRIN) - With mobile phone signals shut down since 15 May in large parts of three northeastern states following a military offensive against Boko Haram (BH) Islamists, anxious residents say the sick are cut off from medical help, commercial supplies are dwindling and food prices rising. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98207 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98207 KANO, 11 June 2013 (IRIN) - With mobile phone signals shut down since 15 May in large parts of three northeastern states following a military offensive against Boko Haram (BH) Islamists, anxious residents say the sick are cut off from medical help, commercial supplies are dwindling and food prices rising.]]> Mon, 10 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>NANAKANAK, 10 June 2013 (IRIN) - Around 60,000 people are thought to be mining gold in South Sudan, using the bare hands they once used to harvest crops. In the new nation's east, where poor rains have caused widespread hunger, women, children and the elderly have joined the hordes of people seeking their fortune through this back-breaking labour. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98204 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98204 NANAKANAK, 10 June 2013 (IRIN) - Around 60,000 people are thought to be mining gold in South Sudan, using the bare hands they once used to harvest crops. In the new nation's east, where poor rains have caused widespread hunger, women, children and the elderly have joined the hordes of people seeking their fortune through this back-breaking labour.]]> Mon, 10 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>BISSAU, 10 June 2013 (IRIN) - Drug-trafficking in Guinea-Bissau is undermining the country's stability, distorting its economy and intensifying the competition for power among political and military leaders, say analysts and observers. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98202 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98202 BISSAU, 10 June 2013 (IRIN) - Drug-trafficking in Guinea-Bissau is undermining the country's stability, distorting its economy and intensifying the competition for power among political and military leaders, say analysts and observers.]]> Fri, 7 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>DAKAR, 7 June 2013 (IRIN) - Guinea's political violence is hitting residents of the capital Conakry increasingly hard, with some families forced to flee their homes and others relocating for fear of ethnically based attacks. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98189 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98189 DAKAR, 7 June 2013 (IRIN) - Guinea's political violence is hitting residents of the capital Conakry increasingly hard, with some families forced to flee their homes and others relocating for fear of ethnically based attacks.]]> Fri, 7 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>KAMPALA, 7 June 2013 (IRIN) - Uganda is struggling to resolve a countrywide shortage of blood caused by interruptions in the supply of blood donor kits and testing reagents. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98188 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98188 KAMPALA, 7 June 2013 (IRIN) - Uganda is struggling to resolve a countrywide shortage of blood caused by interruptions in the supply of blood donor kits and testing reagents.]]> Fri, 7 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>ANTANANARIVO, 7 June 2013 (IRIN) - Madagascar's recent gains in the battle against malaria are likely to be reversed because funding problems have interrupted prevention activities. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98185 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98185 ANTANANARIVO, 7 June 2013 (IRIN) - Madagascar's recent gains in the battle against malaria are likely to be reversed because funding problems have interrupted prevention activities.]]> Fri, 7 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>DAKAR/PIKINE, 7 June 2013 (IRIN) - Senegalese authorities and aid organizations say they have begun preparing for what will likely be another round of heavy flooding during this year's upcoming rainy season, but observers and local residents say not enough has been done to reduce the risk of annual floods ruining their homes. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98183 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98183 DAKAR/PIKINE, 7 June 2013 (IRIN) - Senegalese authorities and aid organizations say they have begun preparing for what will likely be another round of heavy flooding during this year's upcoming rainy season, but observers and local residents say not enough has been done to reduce the risk of annual floods ruining their homes.]]> Thu, 6 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>NAIROBI, 6 June 2013 (IRIN) - International neglect of the crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR) is partly to blame for the dire humanitarian and security situation there, say officials. The crisis affects the country's entire population of 4.6 million and has left tens of thousands in need of emergency shelter, healthcare and food aid. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98179 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98179 NAIROBI, 6 June 2013 (IRIN) - International neglect of the crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR) is partly to blame for the dire humanitarian and security situation there, say officials. The crisis affects the country's entire population of 4.6 million and has left tens of thousands in need of emergency shelter, healthcare and food aid.]]> Thu, 6 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>NAIROBI, 6 June 2013 (IRIN) - Ten years ago, the main treatment for kala azar - a disease that kills up to 40,000 people every year - was a 30-day course of injections, a difficult undertaking both for patients and for the poorly equipped health centres in the remote areas where many cases of the disease occur. Today, combination therapy has cut the treatment period to 17 days in some affected areas, but scientists and health officials continue to work towards developing a simple pill that would replace painful injections and further ease treatment. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98175 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98175 NAIROBI, 6 June 2013 (IRIN) - Ten years ago, the main treatment for kala azar - a disease that kills up to 40,000 people every year - was a 30-day course of injections, a difficult undertaking both for patients and for the poorly equipped health centres in the remote areas where many cases of the disease occur. Today, combination therapy has cut the treatment period to 17 days in some affected areas, but scientists and health officials continue to work towards developing a simple pill that would replace painful injections and further ease treatment.]]> Thu, 6 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>HARARE, 6 June 2013 (IRIN) - Maxwell Zimbume, 37, left his job at a beverage company in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, at the height of the country's economic crisis in late 2008. His salary was not being paid regularly and had become almost worthless due to hyperinflation. Like hundreds of thousands of other Zimbabweans, he decided to try his luck in neighbouring South Africa. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98174 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98174 HARARE, 6 June 2013 (IRIN) - Maxwell Zimbume, 37, left his job at a beverage company in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, at the height of the country's economic crisis in late 2008. His salary was not being paid regularly and had become almost worthless due to hyperinflation. Like hundreds of thousands of other Zimbabweans, he decided to try his luck in neighbouring South Africa.]]> Thu, 6 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>DAKAR/BAMAKO, 6 June 2013 (IRIN) - As international donors, notably France and the USA, as well as the Economic Community of West African States, push for July presidential elections in Mali, critics say doing so could foment factionalization in the north thus further destabilizing it, threaten ongoing negotiations over Kidal town, and hamper reconciliation and dialogue. IRIN spoke to analysts, citizen activists and would-be voters to glean their views. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98169 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98169 DAKAR/BAMAKO, 6 June 2013 (IRIN) - As international donors, notably France and the USA, as well as the Economic Community of West African States, push for July presidential elections in Mali, critics say doing so could foment factionalization in the north thus further destabilizing it, threaten ongoing negotiations over Kidal town, and hamper reconciliation and dialogue. IRIN spoke to analysts, citizen activists and would-be voters to glean their views.]]> Thu, 6 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>ADDIS ABABA, 6 June 2013 (IRIN) - Ten years ago, a shipping container was converted into Ethiopia's first HIV treatment centre, in Addis Ababa, the capital. Created in response to a dramatic rise in new HIV infections and AIDS -related deaths, the centre offered the only hope for HIV-positive Ethiopians, who had to pay to access the life-prolonging antiretroviral therapy (ART). http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98168 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98168 ADDIS ABABA, 6 June 2013 (IRIN) - Ten years ago, a shipping container was converted into Ethiopia's first HIV treatment centre, in Addis Ababa, the capital. Created in response to a dramatic rise in new HIV infections and AIDS -related deaths, the centre offered the only hope for HIV-positive Ethiopians, who had to pay to access the life-prolonging antiretroviral therapy (ART).]]> Wed, 5 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>BISSAU, 5 June 2013 (IRIN) - The small West African country of Guinea-Bissau is slated to hold fresh polls later this year after yet another coup, but opposition to security sector reform (SSR) by some in the army, the manipulation of the armed forces by politicians, as well as the military's interference in politics could jeopardize a return to stability, analysts say. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98167 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98167 BISSAU, 5 June 2013 (IRIN) - The small West African country of Guinea-Bissau is slated to hold fresh polls later this year after yet another coup, but opposition to security sector reform (SSR) by some in the army, the manipulation of the armed forces by politicians, as well as the military's interference in politics could jeopardize a return to stability, analysts say.]]> Wed, 5 Jun 2013 06:06:06 GMT ]]>SÉVARÉ/BAMAKO, 5 June 2013 (IRIN) - More displaced women and girls - some as young as 13 - are turning to sex work to get by in Mali where 14 months of occupation and conflict have forced 475,000 people from their homes in the north, according to NGOs. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98161 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=98161 SÉVARÉ/BAMAKO, 5 June 2013 (IRIN) - More displaced women and girls - some as young as 13 - are turning to sex work to get by in Mali where 14 months of occupation and conflict have forced 475,000 people from their homes in the north, according to NGOs.]]>