Good seasonal progression in the Bi-modal and Guinean - Sudanian zones

KEY MESSAGES

• Normal to above - normal rainfall levels fell over the southwestern corner of the region (Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Guinea Bissau), marking a timely onset of the rains in this part of West Africa .

The new funds will provide food assistance, clean water and access to basic health services to women and children suffering from hunger and food insecurity.

What is child marriage?

HIGHLIGHTS

• Overall food security situation in the Sahel remains stable, although localized food price increases and rising insecurity across the region cause concern

• U.S. Government (USG) provides an additional $56.5 million to food-insecure and conflict-affected Sahelian populations

DAKAR, SENEGAL — As the rainy season begins in West and Central Africa, meteorological experts are warning of above average rainfall, flash floods and overflowing rivers in the western Sahel. Aid agencies say that early preparation is key to reducing the risks associated with such natural disasters, as well as building up people’s resilience to deal with the aftermath.

Experts from the African Center of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD) say that rainfall in West and Central Africa could exceed 130 percent of normal precipitation this year.

HIGHLIGHTS

 Despite good agricultural production in 2012 and good conditions for pastoralists, the situation in the Sahel remains critical, mostly due to the impact of the 2012 crisis as well as previous recent crises. Approximately 10.3 million people remain food insecure in 2013 and over 1.4 million children are at risk of severe acute malnutrition.

Asamblea General
Sexagésimo séptimo período de sesiones
Tema 65 del programa
Promoción y protección de los derechos del niño

Consejo de Seguridad
Sexagésimo octavo año

I. Introducción

Despite better rains and harvest projections for 2013, over 11 million people are affected by food insecurity. The humanitarian appeal is only 36 per cent funded.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid ("the Humanitarian Aid Regulation"), and in particular Article 2, notably 2 (c), Article 4 and Article 15(2) and (3) thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision 2001/822/EC of 27 November 2001 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community ("Overseas Association Decision"), and in particular Articles 21 and 30 thereof,

Whereas: