What We’re Reading: Conflict in Mali could increase malnutrition

Feb 23rd, 2012 11:53 AM UTC
By Emily Walker

Cameron warns global security rests on Somalia’s future – As world leaders convened in London on Thursday to discuss the Horn of Africa, British Prime Minister David Cameron “urged the international community . . . to help Somalia’s feeble government tackle piracy, militants and hunger.” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced an additional $64 million in humanitarian assistance to the region from the U.S. and said that the U.S. “will continue to work with Somali officials to create jobs, provide health and education services, and conflict resolution.” (CNN, Faith Karimi and Moni Basu)

Oxfam criticizes approach to Somalia, calls for humanitarian focus – In a new report Wednesday, Oxfam said that “Western policy on Somalia has failed and called for a new approach emphasizing humanitarian aid instead of counter-terrorism and military intervention.” Although last year’s famine has receded, “nearly a third of Somali’s population remains in crisis and 325,000 children are severely malnourished.” (Los Angeles Times, Robyn Dixon)

Bill Gates to UN: Find new ways to help poor farmers; announces $200 million in grants – At a forum for the U.N. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Bill Gates told U.N. food agencies that “current approaches to global agriculture are outdated, inefficient and don’t give small farmers in poor countries the help they really need.” Gates announced $200 million in grants, and urged the agencies to “commit to measurable targets for increasing agricultural productivity” and to take “immediate advantage of high-tech methods.” (AP)

Conflict in Mali could increase malnutrition – As more than 75,000 people flee their homes in northern Mali to escape violence between the Tuareg rebels and the army, concerns are being raised about “the impact of conflict on the delivery of humanitarian aid to an already fragile region. As the region faces a “critical period of food insecurity . . . [the] movements of refugees could have a major impact on the availability and prices of foods in local markets.” This could several impact the most vulnerable communities, which are “already trapped in a cycle of poverty and hunger.” (Reuters)

Nigeria ex-leader meets with Senegal government – Nigeria’s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, met with Senegalese opposition leaders “in an effort to broker a solution to the country’s political malaise ahead of a tense presidential vote.” The opposition has “vowed to render the country ungovernable” if President Wade is permitted to run for a third term on Sunday. Senegalese newspapers have reported that five judges on the constitutional court, which reviews election disputes, received new cars and salary increases. (AP, Rukmini Callimachi)

TAGS: ONE, What We're Reading