Insecurity in Bangui increases food prices, lay-offs

BANGUI, 18 June 2013 (IRIN Africa) - 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. full report

Lack of access, rains hinder aid to Jonglei IDPs

JUBA, 17 June 2013 (IRIN Africa) - 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. full report

Syria crisis puts Lebanese farmers at risk

EL QAA, 13 June 2013 (IRIN Middle East) - In Lebanon’s Beka’a Valley, bordering Syria, some farmers have abandoned their fields as the fight between Syrian rebels and government forces has spilled onto their territory. Those who can still harvest have trouble selling their crops because export routes to and through Syria have been interrupted. Some are now resorting to selling their animals to make ends meet. full report

Rakhine sectarian violence - one year on

SITTWE, 13 June 2013 (IRIN Asia) - One year after Myanmar's worst sectarian violence in decades, tension between the Buddhist ethnic Rakhine and Muslim Rohingya communities in the country's western Rakhine State remains high. full report

Injured from al-Qusayr battle struggle to get medical care

QARAH, SYRIA, 13 June 2013 (IRIN Middle East) - Syrian rebels injured in the battle of al-Qusayr have struggled to access healthcare. Some have ended up in a makeshift hospital in Lebanon. full report

Rising Muslim-Buddhist tensions in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, 12 June 2013 (IRIN Asia) - An increasing number of Muslim Sri Lankans, who make up around 9 percent of the population, are feeling uneasy amid fears of growing sectarian tensions, say local people and observers. full report

Calls for AU, UN to take action in Sudan’s Blue Nile State

NAIROBI, 12 June 2013 (IRIN Africa) - 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. full report

Analysis: Hard choices: When the Syria aid response runs out of money

AMMAN, 11 June 2013 (IRIN Middle East) - Last week, the UN launched its largest ever appeal for $4.4 billion to help Syrians in need inside their country and in refugee settings throughout 2013. But as the needs continue growing, donors are increasingly fatigued. At this cost, is the aid operation sustainable? full report

Tamils want more devolved power in Sri Lanka's north

COLOMBO, 11 June 2013 (IRIN Asia) - Ahead of Sri Lanka's planned provincial election in a former war zone, the country's main ethnic minority Tamil party is pushing to have as much power devolved from Colombo as possible. full report