Asmara, 16 May 2013 – In its meeting today, the Cabinet of Ministers held discussion regarding the all-round preparations underway for this year’s rainy season vis-à-vis weather forecast and the necessary resources thereof.

Hopper bands in Israel for the first time in 50 years; adult groups in interior of Saudi Arabia

As a result of egg-laying in mid-March and low temperatures, hatching occurred from mid-April onwards in the western Negev Desert of Israel and in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt where hoppers are now forming groups and bands in both areas.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

· Although the recent good performance of seasonal rainfall has enhanced water and pasture availability in most drought-prone areas of Ethiopia, populations in some belg-producing parts of eastern Ethiopia will likely continue to experience Crisis—Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) 3—level food insecurity through June due to delayed and poorly distributed February-to-May 2013 belg rains and resulting planting disruptions.

The Global Overview collates information from a range of sources and displays it in a manner that allows for quick comparison of different humanitarian crises.

Agordat, 9 May 2013 – The inhabitants of 12 Administrative areas in Agordat sub-zone are reportedly engaged in soil and water conservation undertakings with a view to restoring erosion-hit areas.

Mr. Eyasu Haile, head of economic development in the sub-zone, disclosed that the community venture is aimed at raising plant production output through the preparation of a total of 2,000 hectares, in the process of which farmlands of families of martyrs have been prioritized. He further called on farmers to finalize their preparations to this end before the onset of the rainy season.

Twenty years after its independence, Eritrea’s prisons are filled with thousands of political prisoners, locked up without ever being charged with a crime, many of whom are never heard from again, Amnesty International said in a report released today.

Mendefera, 2 May 2013 – The Agriculture Ministry’s branch in the Southern region indicated that the inhabitants of 15 Administrative areas of Mendefera sub-zone are engaged in soil and water conservation campaign through integrating their labor and financial resources.

The Global Overview collates information from a range of sources and displays it in a manner that allows for quick comparison of different humanitarian crises.