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

Call for “no regret” climate adaptation strategies*

JOHANNESBURG, 14 June 2013 (IRIN Global) - The absence of accurate climate prediction models should not dissuade countries from choosing the best ways to adapt to a changing climate, says a new report published in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences. full report

Intellectual property reprieve for poor countries

NAIROBI, 13 June 2013 (IRIN Global) - Least developed countries (LDCs) will continue to have access to affordable medical technologies for an additional extra eight years before they are required to implement the World Trade Organization’s Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) Agreement, following a series of negotiations. full report

Uganda running out of ARVs, HIV test kits

KAMPALA, 12 June 2013 (IRIN Africa) - 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. 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

Thousands still missing HIV treatment following CAR coup

KAMPALA, 11 June 2013 (IRIN Africa) - 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. 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

Uganda grapples with critical blood shortage

KAMPALA, 7 June 2013 (IRIN Africa) - Uganda is struggling to resolve a countrywide shortage of blood caused by interruptions in the supply of blood donor kits and testing reagents. full report