http://www.IRINnews.org Updated every day en-gb Wed, 16 May 2012 20:13:56 GMT United Nations Integrated Regional Information Networks, http://www.IRINnews.org Wed, 16 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>ABIDJAN, 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - South of the Sahel, where drought, high food prices and other factors have pushed some 16 million into hunger, 320,000 people in Côte d'Ivoire are also grappling with food insecurity. A combination of forces is causing region-wide high prices for rice, but the government's efforts to make the staple food cheaper lack teeth and are proving difficult to impose. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95466 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95466 ABIDJAN, 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - South of the Sahel, where drought, high food prices and other factors have pushed some 16 million into hunger, 320,000 people in Côte d'Ivoire are also grappling with food insecurity. A combination of forces is causing region-wide high prices for rice, but the government's efforts to make the staple food cheaper lack teeth and are proving difficult to impose.]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>GISENYI (WESTERN RWANDA), 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - In the last few weeks fighting between government troops and “mutineers” has ended three years of relative peace in North Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and thousands of refugees have been streaming across the border to Rwanda. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95465 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95465 GISENYI (WESTERN RWANDA), 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - In the last few weeks fighting between government troops and “mutineers” has ended three years of relative peace in North Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and thousands of refugees have been streaming across the border to Rwanda.]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>PESHAWAR, 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - The recent outbreak of measles which claimed the lives of at least 12 children and one adult in Pakistan's North Waziristan's tribal agency is directly linked to conflict between militants and the army, according to local experts. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95464 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95464 PESHAWAR, 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - The recent outbreak of measles which claimed the lives of at least 12 children and one adult in Pakistan's North Waziristan's tribal agency is directly linked to conflict between militants and the army, according to local experts.]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>KABUL, 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - Bonded labour in Afghanistan's brick kilns is one of the most common forms of hazardous labour in the country. More than half of the brick kiln workers surveyed in a recent report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) were children, with most under 14. Few are getting any education to allow them to develop skills needed to break out of work in the kilns. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95463 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95463 KABUL, 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - Bonded labour in Afghanistan's brick kilns is one of the most common forms of hazardous labour in the country. More than half of the brick kiln workers surveyed in a recent report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) were children, with most under 14. Few are getting any education to allow them to develop skills needed to break out of work in the kilns.]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>CHIANG MAI, 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - A recent decision to undertake a national census could prove key to empowering Myanmar's more than 100 ethnic groups, provided it is inclusive and conducted to international standards. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95462 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95462 CHIANG MAI, 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - A recent decision to undertake a national census could prove key to empowering Myanmar's more than 100 ethnic groups, provided it is inclusive and conducted to international standards.]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>BANGKOK, 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - A Geographical Information System (GIS) is being used to map vegetable production in the greater Bangkok region, seat of Thailand's capital, to analyse how urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) contribute to food security in the city of more than 14 million. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95461 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95461 BANGKOK, 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - A Geographical Information System (GIS) is being used to map vegetable production in the greater Bangkok region, seat of Thailand's capital, to analyse how urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) contribute to food security in the city of more than 14 million.]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>KARACHI, 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - The dead fish recently washed up on the shores of Lake Keenjhar, the largest fresh water lake in Pakistan, shocked nearby villagers in Thatta District in the southern province of Sindh. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95460 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95460 KARACHI, 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - The dead fish recently washed up on the shores of Lake Keenjhar, the largest fresh water lake in Pakistan, shocked nearby villagers in Thatta District in the southern province of Sindh.]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>LONDON, 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - The past decade has seen great advances in child survival, but while toddlers and small children are benefiting, the death rate for new-born babies remains stubbornly high. Now a new report suggests that paying more attention to their mothers' health, and focusing on certain damaging but treatable diseases, could be one key to tackling neonatal mortality. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95458 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95458 LONDON, 16 May 2012 (IRIN) - The past decade has seen great advances in child survival, but while toddlers and small children are benefiting, the death rate for new-born babies remains stubbornly high. Now a new report suggests that paying more attention to their mothers' health, and focusing on certain damaging but treatable diseases, could be one key to tackling neonatal mortality.]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 05:05:05 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=95459 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95459 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.]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>RAKAM, 15 May 2012 (IRIN) - Widows living with HIV in Nepal's remote hill districts in some of the country's poorest and vulnerable communities face a particularly bleak future. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95457 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95457 RAKAM, 15 May 2012 (IRIN) - Widows living with HIV in Nepal's remote hill districts in some of the country's poorest and vulnerable communities face a particularly bleak future.]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 05:05:05 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=95456 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95456 DADAAB, 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 05:05:05 GMT ]]>MT ELGON, 15 May 2012 (IRIN) - At least 1.3 million farmers in Kenya - more than double the figure for 2010 - do not have any maize seeds to plant this season, despite favourable weather conditions, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95452 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95452 MT ELGON, 15 May 2012 (IRIN) - At least 1.3 million farmers in Kenya - more than double the figure for 2010 - do not have any maize seeds to plant this season, despite favourable weather conditions, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>ABUJA, 15 May 2012 (IRIN) - Aid organizations and rights groups are putting more pressure on the Nigerian government to release a promised US$5.4 million in aid for lead-poisoned children, but government officials keep ducking the issue. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95451 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95451 ABUJA, 15 May 2012 (IRIN) - Aid organizations and rights groups are putting more pressure on the Nigerian government to release a promised US$5.4 million in aid for lead-poisoned children, but government officials keep ducking the issue.]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>KPONG, 15 May 2012 (IRIN) - At the Kpong airfield, a few kilometres from Lake Volta in northern Ghana, Patricia Mawuli, pilot and co-founder of Medicine on the Move (MoM), a local NGO, is preparing her plane for takeoff. She is one of four health workers who fly weekly to isolated communities around the lake to raise awareness of the dangers of schistosomiasis, also called bilharzia. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95450 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95450 KPONG, 15 May 2012 (IRIN) - At the Kpong airfield, a few kilometres from Lake Volta in northern Ghana, Patricia Mawuli, pilot and co-founder of Medicine on the Move (MoM), a local NGO, is preparing her plane for takeoff. She is one of four health workers who fly weekly to isolated communities around the lake to raise awareness of the dangers of schistosomiasis, also called bilharzia.]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 05:05:05 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=95449 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95449 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.]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>SEBHA, 14 May 2012 (IRIN) - A tenuous peace has taken hold in Libya's southwestern city of Sebha more than a month after tribal clashes killed at least 70 people, with tensions still high between communities living here, many of whom have their own armed militias, according to local residents. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95446 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95446 SEBHA, 14 May 2012 (IRIN) - A tenuous peace has taken hold in Libya's southwestern city of Sebha more than a month after tribal clashes killed at least 70 people, with tensions still high between communities living here, many of whom have their own armed militias, according to local residents.]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>RAMALLAH/TEL AVIV, 14 May 2012 (IRIN) - Israeli settlers east of the separation barrier in the central West Bank occupy the land most critical for any future final status agreement under a two-state solution. But instead of limiting settlement expansion, critics say the Israeli authorities are setting a dangerous precedent by legalizing new outposts and undermining the law. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95445 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95445 RAMALLAH/TEL AVIV, 14 May 2012 (IRIN) - Israeli settlers east of the separation barrier in the central West Bank occupy the land most critical for any future final status agreement under a two-state solution. But instead of limiting settlement expansion, critics say the Israeli authorities are setting a dangerous precedent by legalizing new outposts and undermining the law.]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>ISLAMABAD, 14 May 2012 (IRIN) - Attacks on humanitarian workers in Pakistan have increased in the last four years, with five personnel abducted in the first two months of 2012, and three killed in separate incidents in Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab Provinces, the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF) has warned. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95444 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95444 ISLAMABAD, 14 May 2012 (IRIN) - Attacks on humanitarian workers in Pakistan have increased in the last four years, with five personnel abducted in the first two months of 2012, and three killed in separate incidents in Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab Provinces, the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF) has warned.]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>BANGKOK, 14 May 2012 (IRIN) - The world's largest producer of teak, an Indonesian state-owned company on the island of Java, has again been awarded sustainable forest management (SFM) certification. But the company has a long and sometimes contentious relationship with forest communities in the area, and the forest rights of indigenous communities remain a potential cause of conflict. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95443 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95443 BANGKOK, 14 May 2012 (IRIN) - The world's largest producer of teak, an Indonesian state-owned company on the island of Java, has again been awarded sustainable forest management (SFM) certification. But the company has a long and sometimes contentious relationship with forest communities in the area, and the forest rights of indigenous communities remain a potential cause of conflict. ]]> Fri, 11 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>NAIROBI, 11 May 2012 (IRIN) - Global mortality among children younger than five years declined by 26 percent between 2000 and 2010 - meaning that the lives of some two million children were saved - but this is still not enough for many countries to meet the Millennium Development Goal of reducing deaths in this age group by two-thirds by 2015, according to recent US research. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95441 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95441 NAIROBI, 11 May 2012 (IRIN) - Global mortality among children younger than five years declined by 26 percent between 2000 and 2010 - meaning that the lives of some two million children were saved - but this is still not enough for many countries to meet the Millennium Development Goal of reducing deaths in this age group by two-thirds by 2015, according to recent US research.]]> Thu, 10 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>NSANJE, 10 May 2012 (IRIN) - Visitors arriving in Nsanje, the sleepy capital of Malawi's southernmost district, are greeted by a large yellowing billboard announcing: “The dream becomes reality. Nsanje Port opens October 2010.” But those who go to the port will find little more than a concrete quay with a couple of dozen mooring posts, and a few fishermen manoeuvring crude dug-out canoes through the murky brown waters of the Shire River. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95438 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95438 NSANJE, 10 May 2012 (IRIN) - Visitors arriving in Nsanje, the sleepy capital of Malawi's southernmost district, are greeted by a large yellowing billboard announcing: “The dream becomes reality. Nsanje Port opens October 2010.” But those who go to the port will find little more than a concrete quay with a couple of dozen mooring posts, and a few fishermen manoeuvring crude dug-out canoes through the murky brown waters of the Shire River.]]> Thu, 10 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>KATHMANDU, 10 May 2012 (IRIN) - The Nepalese government has launched an ambitious plan to curb the spread of malaria in high-risk parts of the country, where some 3,000 people were infected last year. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95435 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95435 KATHMANDU, 10 May 2012 (IRIN) - The Nepalese government has launched an ambitious plan to curb the spread of malaria in high-risk parts of the country, where some 3,000 people were infected last year.]]> Thu, 10 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>JOHANNESBURG, 10 May 2012 (IRIN) - The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has announced that it will have US$1.6 billion more to invest in life-saving programmes between 2012 and 2014. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95434 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95434 JOHANNESBURG, 10 May 2012 (IRIN) - The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has announced that it will have US$1.6 billion more to invest in life-saving programmes between 2012 and 2014.]]> Wed, 9 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>BANGKOK, 9 May 2012 (IRIN) - A vaccine against one of the most neglected yet fatal tropical diseases is being tested for the first time in a clinical trial in India and the US. After malaria, leishmaniasis is the second largest parasitic killer, and the visceral form is the most deadly. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95431 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95431 BANGKOK, 9 May 2012 (IRIN) - A vaccine against one of the most neglected yet fatal tropical diseases is being tested for the first time in a clinical trial in India and the US. After malaria, leishmaniasis is the second largest parasitic killer, and the visceral form is the most deadly.]]> Wed, 9 May 2012 05:05:05 GMT ]]>LONDON, 9 May 2012 (IRIN) - Twelve years gone, and three years still to go: as the Millennium Development Goals' (MDG) target date of 2015 gets closer, the debate is intensifying about what went right and what went wrong, and – perhaps more importantly – what kind of goals should be set for the future. http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95430 http://www.IRINnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=95430 LONDON, 9 May 2012 (IRIN) - Twelve years gone, and three years still to go: as the Millennium Development Goals' (MDG) target date of 2015 gets closer, the debate is intensifying about what went right and what went wrong, and – perhaps more importantly – what kind of goals should be set for the future.]]>