Weekly Introduction
Update of Seasonal Outlooks at Four-Months Lead: April – June 2006

Northern Horn of Africa

Climatology is expected across most of the region, except locally over northwestern and southwestern Sudan, where there is a slight tilt in the odds favoring below normal rainfall. There is a slight tilt in the odds favoring above normal rainfall locally over eastern Ethiopia, northern Somalia, and portions of Djibouti. Climatology is expected elsewhere.

Gulf of Guinea

The UNHCR, which is updating data on the refugee situation in Benin, said 10,960 people were registered in its Come and Agame refugee camps, while 8,130 refugees from this year's eruption of political tension in Togo were living in the capital Cotonou, or elsewhere in the country.

In this introductory part, countries in the subregion facing serious overall food shortages or other causes

In Benin, the Measles Initiative will support the country's efforts toward vaccinating 1.3 million children, which will ultimately save nearly 2,000 lives. Children also will be given mebendazole, a de-worming medicine and vitamin A to boost immune systems.

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
"In recent years, humanitarian organisations have become increasingly effective in saving lives, alleviating human suffering, and advocating for the rights of people in need. Nonetheless, there still are considerable gaps in the ability of the humanitarian system to respond adequately to all humanitarian crises. Hence, we must, and we can, do better to be more predictable in our response to vulnerable populations around the globe."

I speak to you today on behalf of 31 million victims of calamity in 26 countries. They desperately need your help. I am here to seek it.

Through this Appeal, we ask for $4.7 billion on behalf of people who are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. They are the survivors of conflicts, natural disasters and often, terrible combinations of the two.

They are women and children threatened

Un prêt de 17,4 millions d'euros et une subvention de 2 millions d'euros ont été accordés à la République du Ghana pour soutenir un programme de promotion de plantations villageoises de cultures pérennes (hévéa, palmier à huile, cocotier). Ce programme prévoit plusieurs volets :

- un appui institutionnel auprès du Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation pour la définition d'une politique nationale de cultures pérennes, avec des études consacrées à l'hévéa, aux huiles de palme et de coprah ou encore au cocotier.

- la réalisation de nouvelles plantations

"These people have virtually nothing and the world is in danger of ignoring their most basic needs," said WFP regional director for West Africa Mustapha Darboe.

The refugees fled unrest following the

Le 17 octobre, en plein cœur de Cotonou,