Briefing: Africa Human Development Report
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. The argument is straightforward: Most people in Africa depend on agriculture, and better nutrition is good for human development. More food production means more food and income in … Read more
UN: Ethiopia’s success a model for the Horn, the Sahel regions
A UN official said on Monday that: ‘multi-year investments in safety nets and significant advances in health and nutrition have saved countless lives and protected millions from the famine experienced elsewhere in the Horn of Africa,…..the successful policies pursued by the Ethiopian Government provide an invaluable experience to share, not just elsewhere in the Horn … Read more
Analysis: The myth and mystique of humanitarian space
The phenomenon of ‘shrinking humanitarian space’ is earnestly debated by aid workers. The often-heard complaint is that neutrality and independence is increasingly compromised by donors, peacekeepers and warring parties seeking to to co-opt them, and they blame the growing toll of attacks on agency staff on the perception that they are no longer impartial. Now … Read more
Ethiopia could now become food exporter | Le Temps
The Swiss media, Le Temps, recently published an article on the ongoing Ethiopian agricultural transformation and its promises. Here is the full text (Google translation): ********* Ethiopia Could Export Food (April 11, 2012 – Le Temps) Since the Ethiopian government gave him the black and white bovine(hybrid cattle), which are able to produce several dozen … Read more
Analysis: Aid Policy: Does private money buy independence?
Private donors are growing steadily more important to global aid, contributing one-quarter of the estimated US$73.9 billion spent on emergency assistance from 2006 to 2010. Among the favourable factors in private funding are independence from the political motivations of donors, being able to react fast, and the opportunity to focus on forgotten crises, but the … Read more
Somalia: Food Security Outlook, Jan – June 2012 [FEWS Net]
SOMALIA Food Security Outlook January to June 2012 Key Messages * Famine has ended in southern Somalia. However, nearly a third of the population remain in crisis, unable to fully meet essential food and non‐food needs. As of February 3, 2.34 million people remain in crisis, with 73 percent (1.7 million people) living in the … Read more
Gender equity: To reduce hunger, nurture women farmers
The UN theme for International Women’s Day – “Empower rural women – end poverty and hunger”, probably does not mean much to people like Hani Issa, a woman in rural southwestern Niger trying single-handedly to feed her seven grandchildren. Six months ago, when the rains failed, the able-bodied men in her extended family (farmers) headed … Read more
Ethiopia: Oakland Institute campaigns to perpetuate poverty
The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs weekly press release, A Week in the Horn, rebuked the US-based Oakland Institute in its March 9, 2012 issue, in an article titled ‘The Oakland Institute campaigns to perpetuate people’s poverty’. Here is the full text: The Oakland Institute campaigns to perpetuate people’s poverty The campaign against Ethiopia’s development … Read more
Time to take early action before another Horn of Africa drought
A discussion on the possibility of a third consecutive year of drought in the Horn of Africa was held this week in Kigali, Rwanda. The three day Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum included Government representatives from the region, climatologists, agricultural experts and disaster risk managers. The meeting was hosted by the Inter-Governmental Authority … Read more
Ethiopia: Humanitarian Requirements 2012
Humanitarian Requirements 2012 Joint Government and Humanitarian Partners’ Document (Extracts) ********** Executive Summary The overall good performance of the 2011 kiremt and deyr rains has resulted in favorable harvest prospects in most parts of the country, apart from some pocket areas in the eastern lowlands. Nevertheless, while the rains have temporarily alleviated water and pasture … Read more
