PORT-LOUIS , Apr 16 2013 (IPS) - Mauritius may be one of the best-prepared countries in the world when it comes to cyclones, but recent heavy rains and flooding due to climate change have brought the country’s readiness for coping with increased rainfall into question.

Ecologist Keshwar Beeharry-Panray tells IPS that he expects the island to be affected by more floods, landslides and cyclones in the coming years because of climate change.

Madagascar:

Around 500 people are still displaced in Toliara I, after Cyclone Haruna. All displaced people in the military camp have returned home. The 500 people are located in 4 temporary sites, 2 of which are schools, preventing students from using the schools. The local DRR committee will relocate displaced people at the 2 schools next week. Temporary rehabilitation of the broken dyke has started and will take approximately 1.5 months.

JOHANNESBURG, 25 March 2013 (IRIN) - South Africa's gold mines are estimated to have the highest number of new tuberculosis (TB) cases in the world, making the disease a leading export to neighbouring countries. IRIN takes a look at the declaration meant to change this situation.

In August 2012, heads of state from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) agreed to sign the SADC Declaration on TB in the Mining Sector, following endorsements by their national ministers for health, labour and justice.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and KfW Development Bank on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) have agreed on establishing a Regional Fund for Water and Basic Sanitation. The Fund will be financed with an initial grant contribution of EUR 10 million by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW. The Fund will be managed by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).

by Richard Lee

Leaders of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) took a momentous decision in Maputo over the weekend—to shut the doors of the SADC Tribunal, preventing the region’s citizens from seeking justice for human rights abuses.

The shocking decision, which was taken at the annual summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in Maputo, not only left the tribunal in limbo but also rendered it completely toothless by denying individual access to the court.

Highlights

Regional Food Security Outlook

• Late onset and prolonged dry spells resulted in depressed production in many parts of the region

• Projected 2012/13 regional maize surplus down 98% compared to 2011/12

• SADC harvest lowest in past 3 years

• Malnutrition levels remain very high in the SADC region

• Some food insecure populations require immediate humanitarian assistance

• 3% drop in 2012 cereal harvest compared to 201

FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT

• In 2011 food production (mainly roots and vegetables) increased marginally, although smaller plantings contributed to a reduced maize harvest

• Food prices rise marginally, but the national inflation rate remains stable

Marginal increase in the 2011 food crop production, while the more important sugarcane production declined slightly

Des partenaires clés pour atteindre la sécurité alimentaire et l’élimination de la faim et de la pauvreté

9 juillet 2012, Rome - La FAO a inauguré aujourd'hui un nouveau bureau de liaison pour les coopératives et les organisations de producteurs, destiné à raviver la collaboration de l'Organisation avec ces organismes à l'échelle mondiale. L'inauguration a lieu à quelques jours de la Journée internationale des Coopératives, célébrée le 7 juillet.

Following the successful launch of the Eastern and Southern Africa Commitment on HIV Prevention and Sexual Health for Young People in November 2011 by Dirk Niebel, Germany's Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), UNAIDS and UNESCO have now established a High-Level Group of policymakers and experts to steer this initiative.