Heavy rains continued for a second week across previously dry areas in western Ethiopia and South Sudan.

1) Poorly distributed and significantly below average seasonal rainfall has resulted in deteriorating ground conditions since January. This has negatively impacted crops and livestock throughout many parts of southern Angola and northern Namibia.

FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT

• Maize production in 2013 is forecast at an above average level, similar to last year

• Maize prices continued to climb sharply in March 2013, reaching alarming levels

• Nearly 2 million people were estimated to be food insecure. However, conditions are expected to improve with the arrival of the 2013 harvest

HIGHLIGHTS

 The region is exposed to a range of environmental and social pressures.

 47 defined international humanitarian emergencies were identified between 2000 and 2012.

 The results highlight the short recurrence intervals for major shocks and the annual co-occurrence of multiple shocks.

 The research signals a transition from conditions of armed conflict seen in the 1980s and 1990s to social conflicts, often in urban areas, particularly in national capitals.

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.

At the turn of the last century, the call to action to bring to bear tools such as insecticide-treated bed nets, malaria rapid diagnostic tests and artemisinin-based combination therapies, was heard. Governments, foundations, non-profit groups, and the commercial sector mobilized to stem the tide against an ancient scourge—the result has been an estimated 274 million malaria cases and 1.1 million deaths averted between 2001 and 2010.

And yet, the fight against malaria is far from over and new tools will be needed to continue to build on these initial impressive gains.

Charleston, S.C. safe water nonprofit aids Malawi flood victims

Water Missions International provides disaster relief, safe water for more than 4,000 villagers

The latest IMF World Economic Outlook highlights a surge in economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. While such a trend is welcome, it should not be a cause for complacency, argues Connell Foley, Director of Strategy with Concern Worldwide

Given the generally negative perceptions of Africa amongst the general public, it is heartening to read the latest IMF World Economic Outlook report suggesting that growth south of the Sahara will hit 6.1% next year.

05/07/2013 11:13 GMT

Par Anne CHAON

PARIS, 07 mai 2013 (AFP) - Le manioc, qui nourrit 500 millions de personnes dans le monde, est attaqué en Afrique par un virus en expansion d'Est en ouest à travers le continent. Un congrès de scientifiques et de donateurs réuni cette semaine en Italie va tenter de leur déclarer une guerre totale.

Islamic Relief has launched a co-dependent fish and vegetable farm project in Malawi.

Fishpond water is high in nutrients that plants need, and vegetable deposits and waste can be used to feed fish. Increasingly, farmers across the globe are creating co-dependent irrigation systems that allow both fish and plant to benefit from one another.

Islamic Relief is introducing this system to 500 farmers in Malawi, to enable them to expand their work and increase their yield and profit while reducing feeding and water costs and wastage.