Category: APO-OPA

TOKYO, Japan, June 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — 1. On June 13, the Government of Japan, upon requests by UN organizations and the Government of Nigeria, decided to extend emergency grant aid of 855,000 US dollars (approximately 83 mil…

BANGUI, Central African Republic, June 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is dismayed at the high level of organized violence against civilians by armed groups in the Grimari and Bambari provinces of the Ouaka region in the Central African Republic (CAR).

“During the last six weeks our teams on the ground have witnessed the systematic use of retaliatory violence against entire villages, resulting in killings and ongoing displacement of thousands,” says MSF’s Project coordinator, Luigi Pandolfi.

The most recent attack happened on June 10 in Liwa, just 10 kilometers away from the International Military Force in Bambari, and resulted in the utter destruction of at least 160 houses and the killing of 12 people.

“During the medical consultations and evacuation of wounded from Liwa I saw the dead bodies of 3 adults and one child burnt in their houses during the attack,” says Pandolfi. according to the villagers reports they had been burned alive.

In recent weeks, a number of villages, including Bakala, Yabita and Lakanja in Grimari and Bambari provinces have been partially or completely burnt down, leaving civilians no choice but to flee into the bush after losing most of their household goods, agricultural tools and seeds.

MSF alone has treated 97 war wounded in the past two months as a result of the attacks on civilians ravaging the Ouaka region. Many war-wounded travel over 24 hours to reach our clinic, and since we are present in only one part of the region we believe many will succumb to their wounds. Others have hopefully found health care elsewhere.

The continuing violence is not only resulting in wholesale slaughter and widespread torture, it is also creating massive displacement as terrified civilians flee the attacks.

“We are providing assistance to populations whose vulnerability is exacerbated by the consequences of the conflict and displacement,” says Pandolfi. “Malaria is the leading cause of death with more than 71% of patients testing positive for malaria in our consultations as displaced people are living outdoors in the forest, and the rainy season has started which makes them more vulnerable for malaria.”

MSF has been operational in the Ouaka region since mid-April 2014. To date, MSF has provided over 1,000 basic health care consultations via mobile clinics for displaced population and assisted 97 war-wounded.

MSF calls on all the armed parties to halt attacks on the civilians of Ouaka region.

LONDON, United-Kingdom, June 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Mark Simmonds condemns attacks in Kenya, and offers his condolences to those affected.

Following the attack in Mpeketoni, Kenya, which led to the deaths of dozens of civilians, the Foreign Office Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, said:

“I condemn in the strongest terms the attacks that took place on 15 June in the Kenyan coastal town of Mpeketoni. I offer my deepest condolences to the families that have lost loved ones and to those injured in the attacks.

“There can be no place for appalling acts of violence such as this in any society. The Kenyan authorities have our full support as they investigate this incident and seek to prevent further attack.”

ROME, Italy, June 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Chile, China and Morocco today won recognition from FAO for outstanding progress in fighting hunger, an achievement that sees them join a growing group of countries to have reached international targets ahead of an end-of-2015 deadline.

During a ceremony at FAO headquarters, the Organization’s Director-General, José Graziano da Silva, awarded diplomas to China and Morocco for obtaining the Millennium Development Goal 1 (MDG-1). Chile, which had already reached its MDG-1 target, received the diploma for achieving the 1996 World Food Summit (WFS) target.

The MDG-1 hunger target requires countries to halve the proportion of hungry people in the population before the end of 2015 compared to the level in 1990. The more ambitious WFS goal requires countries to at least halve the number of hungry people in the population before the end of 2015 compared to the level in 1990.

“One year ago we celebrated the first 38 countries that had achieved the MDG target, three years in advance of the 2015 deadline. 18 of them had also met the World Food Summit target. Now we come together to recognize three more countries for their efforts,” Graziano da Silva said.

He stressed that the overall global objective remains the total eradication of hunger and malnutrition. “Even today, in a world of abundant food over 840 million people are still undernourished,” the FAO Director-General said. “Ensuring food security and helping people overcome extreme poverty are the first steps to build the inclusive future we want, in which nobody is left behind,” he added.

Chile’s Minister of Agriculture Carlos Furche, Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture and Marine Fisheries, Aziz Akhannouch, and China’s Vice Minister of Agriculture, Chen Xiaohua, represented their respective countries at the ceremony.

The WFS goal was set in 1996, when 180 nations met in Rome to discuss ways to end hunger. The MDG 1 target was established by the international community at the UN General Assembly in 2000.

Transforming commitment into effective action

Forty countries have now achieved the MDG -1 while of these, 19 have achieved the WFS target. Such achievements, the FAO chief said, show how “the political commitment of governments is being transformed into effective action and concrete results in the fight against hunger.”

He pointed out “strong regional commitments that support and stimulate national efforts to end hunger” including the 2025 Latin America and Caribbean Hunger-Free Initiative, moves by the African Union to endorse a zero hunger target for 2025 and the Asia-Pacific’s embracing of the UN Zero Hunger Challenge.

“These are efforts that are supported by non-state actors and by the international community. They show that food security can be a reality in our lifetime,” Graziano da Silva said.

During the ceremony, the FAO chief also commended 16 countries for having maintained their hunger rates below 5 percent dating back to at least 1990: Argentina, Barbados, Dominica, Brunei Darussalam, Egypt , Iran (Islamic Republic of), Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.

Awards are based on statistics produced by FAO using data provided by member countries and other international agencies.

In an effort to seek renewed global commitment to ending hunger and in particular ensuring that people around the world have access to healthier diets, FAO and the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) will co-organize a high-level, global intergovernmental meeting, the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) which is scheduled to take place in Rome on 19-21 November 2014.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Peace and Security Council of the African Union, at its 440th meeting held in Addis Ababa, on 12 June 2014, adopted the following decision on the situation in South Sudan:

Council:

1. Takes note of the statement made by the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security and the briefing provided by Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin, the Chair of the Team of Special Envoys of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Council also takes note of the statement made by the representative of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, as well as by those of the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU)and Nigeria and Rwanda in their capacity as African members of the UN Security Council, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, in their capacity as permanent members of the Security Council;

2. Recalls its earlier communiqués and press statements on the situation in South Sudan;

3. Commends the IGAD Chairperson, Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn, and the other leaders of the region for their continued commitment and determination in finding a lasting solution to the conflict in South Sudan. Council also expresses appreciation to the IGAD Mediation Team led by Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin and comprising General Lazaro Sumbeiywo and General Mohammed Ahmed Moustafa El Dabi, for its relentless efforts;

4. Notes with satisfaction the progress made in the operationalization of the IGAD Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM), including the deployment of the Monitoring and Verification Teams (MVTs) to Bentiu, Bor, Malakal and Nasser, and looks forward to the planned deployment of MVTs in twenty other sites. Council urges the Commission to provide the necessary support to this effect;

5. Further notes with satisfaction the adoption by the UN Security Council, on 27 May 2014, of resolution 2155 (2014) that extended and enhanced both the mandate and strength of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), including the deployment of three battalions with additional responsibility for protecting IGAD’s MVM, as well as implementing the Mission’s overall mandate. Council calls on the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the protection force provided for in resolution 2155 (2014) to take all necessary steps towards the expeditious deployment of the required troops. Council further urges the UN to take all necessary steps to facilitate the deployment of the protection force. Council demands that the Parties immediately facilitate the full implementation of, and cooperation with, UNMISS and its protection force, as well as the MVM, in the discharge of their respective mandates;

6. Welcomes the signing on 9 May 2014, in Addis Ababa, under the auspices of the Chair of IGAD, Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn of Ethiopia, of the Agreement to Resolve the Crisis in South Sudan between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the leader of the SPLM/A (in opposition), former Vice President Riek Machar, including the commitment to expedite and complete dialogue on the formation of a transitional Government of National Unity within sixty (60) days, as well as to ensure unhindered humanitarian access to the affected population. Council also welcomes the convening in Addis Ababa, on 6 and 7 June 2014, of the multi-stakeholders symposium to initiate the inclusive phase of the peace process. Council further notes with satisfaction the release of all the political detainees and their participation in the political process;

7. Expresses its deep concern that, in spite of the commitments made by the Parties, both the Government and the SPLM/A in opposition have failed to meaningfully move forward the peace process and bring an end to the senseless killing of innocent civilians. In this respect, Council strongly condemns the continued and flagrant violations of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreements, as documented by the IGAD MVM, as well as the widespread atrocities and abuses committed by all sides against innocent civilians. Council reiterates AU’s concern at the dire humanitarian situation prevailing in South Sudan, as a result of the failure of the parties to live up to their commitments;

8. Demands that the warring Parties immediately stop fighting, fully implement their commitments and display the required political will to advance the political process. In this respect, Council welcomes the communiqué adopted by the 26th Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government on the situation in South Sudan, held in Addis Ababa on 10 June 2014. Council reiterates its readiness, upon recommendation by IGAD, to immediately take targeted sanctions and other measures against any party that continues to undermine the search for a solution to the conflict and fails to honor its commitments;

9. Reaffirms the need for the peace process to be inclusive in order to facilitate a lasting solution to the crisis and stresses the need for all Parties to refrain from any action that may undermine the search for inclusivity;

10. Welcomes the steps already taken by the AU Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan in investigating human rights violations and other abuses committed during the armed conflict. Council reiterates its call to all the Parties to extend full cooperation to the Commission, and looked forward to the submission, in due course, of its report and recommendations on the best ways and means to ensure accountability, reconciliation and healing among all South Sudanese communities;

11. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Equator Initiative for Sustainable Land Management in Sub Saharan Africa Award Ceremony

WHAT: Equator Initiative for Sustainable Land Management in Sub Saharan Africa …

GENEVA, Switzerland, June 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Some 23,000 people affected by severe flooding in Kismayo, in southern Somalia, have received emergency assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) this week. This included providing cash grants, essential household items and health care and restoring clean water supplies.

The port city of Kismayo and other coastal areas of the Lower Juba region were inundated as a result of exceptionally heavy rains between 24 May and 6 June. “Due to its low-lying coastal location, drainage is particularly poor in this area,” explained Raphael Wittwer, who is helping to lead the operations. “Around 26,000 displaced people living in camps and nearby communities are still swamped by stagnant water.” Five young children are already known to have drowned or died from hypothermia. “As is always the case, it is those who were already struggling to survive who have been worst hit, in particular those who have fled the fighting and are living in camps,” said Mr Wittwer.

Those affected have had their shelters and possessions destroyed by the floods or have been unable to access their homes. Latrines have been flooded and water sources contaminated. Recurring natural shocks of this kind, on top of the ongoing armed conflict in the country, are taking their toll on the people of Somalia.

The ICRC and SRCS have swung into action by providing 23,000 displaced people with cash grants of 50 US dollars each, calculated to help them cover their food and other basic needs for the next few weeks. Of these, some 1,500 families (9,000 people) also received essential household items (including tarpaulins, plastic mats, clothes, jerry cans, cooking sets and hygiene items). In addition, a temporary mobile health clinic established in partnership with the Somali Red Crescent Society has started to treat people in the camps, and work is ongoing to chlorinate wells contaminated by the flooding.

Apart from this emergency response, the ICRC has also been busy in 2014 supporting Kismayo hospital, which it is currently renovating, and the main stabilization centre for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, as well as a Somali Red Crescent primary health-care clinic. The ICRC has provided 300 internally displaced people and vulnerable families with small business start-up grants, and trained 300 fishermen and women in fishing techniques, while simultaneously repairing 30 boats; all with the aim of helping them to become self-sufficient. ICRC staff also visit people held in the central prison to monitor their treatment and detention conditions.

GENEVA, Switzerland, June 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — More than 13,000 people living in villages between the towns of Bouar and Bohong, in the west of the Central African Republic, have received seed and farming equipment in the past few days. This region has been the scene of clashes between armed groups in recent months, with serious consequences for the local people. Fleeing for their lives after their houses were vandalized, ransacked and burned down, thousands of people sought refuge in the surrounding bush or in other parts of the country.

“The villagers have returned home to find their homes looted and their crops and granaries destroyed,” explained Charlotte Bennborn, who coordinates the economic security programmes run by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the Central African Republic. “They need seed and tools to resume their farming, which is not only central to the way of life of communities in this region, but essential for their survival. This is the challenge they face on a daily basis.”

To help people meet that challenge, from 10 to 14 June the ICRC and the Central African Red Cross distributed seed and farming equipment in some 30 villages. Families there each received 10 kg of maize seed, 5 kg of bean seed, 3 kg of sesame seed, and hoes. “Each farming family will, we hope, be able to grow some 800 kg of maize, 55 kg of beans and 102 kg of sesame. With this, they will be able to feed themselves in the coming months,” said Ms Bennborn.

In addition to this farming assistance, the ICRC, in cooperation with the Central African Red Cross, regularly distributes food to thousands of particularly vulnerable displaced people and returnees in Bangui and elsewhere in the country, most recently in Ndele and Dekoa.

JUBA; South Sudan, June 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Aid agencies in South Sudan today released a new plan to assist 3.8 million people hit by hunger, violence and disease by the end of the year.

Six months into the conflict, around 1.5 million people have been uprooted from their homes and over seven million people are at risk of hunger and disease. Unless fighting ends and people can return to their homes and resume their livelihoods, the situation will continue to worsen.

“Now that the rains have set in, conditions in South Sudan are deteriorating by the day: people are literally living in mud. Cholera has broken out, malaria is rampant and many children are malnourished. Millions of people need emergency healthcare, food, clean water, proper sanitation and shelter to make it through the year,” said Toby Lanzer, the Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan.

“We have three main goals: to save lives, prevent a famine, and avert the loss of a generation of children and young people to this conflict. Aid organizations have reached 1.9 million people so far. With sufficient resources, we will be able to do much more,” continued Mr. Lanzer.

Of the US$1.8 billion required to implement the 2014 South Sudan Crisis Response Plan, some $740 million has already been mobilized. This leaves a gap of just over $1 billion – or only $1.50 per day for each person to be assisted. Funding levels are particularly low for nutrition and protection programmes. The consequences could be dire: 50,000 children could die this year if they do not get assistance. Thousands of survivors of rape could go without psychosocial support.

Relief organizations welcomed the recommitment by parties to the conflict to the peace process, coming a few days before the release of the new plan. However, the damage has already been done.

“Even if the cessation of hostilities holds – and I sincerely hope it will – fighting and displacement has already shattered the lives of millions of people” explained Mr. Lanzer. “The commitment of NGOs and UN agencies to the people of South Sudan is steadfast and resolute, but we need two things to do our work. First, the high-level commitment of both parties to full access for aid workers must be implemented on the ground. Second, relief agencies need more money. With those things in place, we will deliver.”

OTTAWA, Canada, June 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Today, the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, the Honourable Christian Paradis, accompanied by the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced financial support for Développement international Desjardins (DID) to promote entrepreneurship in Africa and the Americas. Minister Paradis made this announcement after meeting with DID executives in Lévis, Quebec.

“Long-term development depends on a dynamic private sector that can stimulate opportunities for all, including women,” Minister Paradis said. “It is important to support microbusinesses, as well as small and medium-sized businesses, especially in rural areas, to promote inclusive growth and to deploy resources to maximize their positive impact on sustainable development.”

“The Government has a strong partnership with Développement international Desjardins because of the work they do, and the results they deliver. Desjardins is the guardian of Canada’s co-operative model, and the projects announced today will help create jobs, stimulate economic growth and improve food security in some of the world’s poorest countries,” Minister Blaney said.

Sustainable economic growth is crucial to reduce global poverty. The Government of Canada is committed to promoting access to financial services such as credit, savings, insurance and payment services. Access to credit and to quality financial services greatly helps to reduce poverty by helping the poor to increase their income, acquire assets and be less vulnerable when unforeseen circumstances occur.

“We wish to thank Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada for renewing its confidence in DID by entrusting us with the execution of these major projects,” said Anne Gaboury, DID’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are very proud that we have thus been given the opportunity to use our expertise to promote food security, private sector development and job creation in the countries involved.”

Quick Facts

• Minister Paradis announced the following projects:

o The Financial Centres for Entrepreneurs initiative will give micro and small businesses in developing countries better access to services designed to meet their needs.

o The Project to Support Colombia’s Agricultural Finance System aims to give small and medium-scale farmers in Colombia better access to credit and agricultural insurance, and to build their financial management capacities.

• Stimulating sustainable economic growth is one of Canada’s three international development priority themes.

• The Government of Canada made the Americas a foreign policy priority in 2007, envisioning a more prosperous, secure and democratic hemisphere.

• Canada has provided the Americas with more than $4.5 billion in international assistance since the region was declared a priority in 2007.

• Canada has remained committed to the Americas and is working with its partners to increase mutual economic opportunities, strengthen institutions and promote sustainable relations.

• From May 28 to 30, 2014, in Toronto, Prime Minister Stephen Harper hosted Saving Every Woman, Every Child: Within Arm’s Reach, an international Summit on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health issues. The Summit brought together Canadian and international leaders and experts, Canadian charities, businesses, scientists, developed and developing countries, international organizations and global foundations to ensure that maternal, newborn and child health remains a priority of the global development agenda.

• At the Summit, the Prime Minister announced that over the next five years Canada will commit $3.5 billion in support of the agenda. To accomplish this, Canada is committed to harnessing the expertise, resources and innovation of the private sector to help the most vulnerable. To further accelerate progress on women’s and children’s health, Canada will also leverage private sector expertise and supporting partners who are finding innovative solutions to address maternal and child health issues.