The Desert Locust situation remained worrisome during February in the winter breeding areas along both sides of the Red Sea where locust infestations continued to increase. Adults formed groups and swarms in Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia. Some of these moved into crops along the Nile River in northern Sudan, laid eggs and caused damage, while a limited number of groups and swarms moved north along the Egyptian coast where they could eventually threaten the Nile Delta. Substantial control operations were carried out by the three countries.

The Desert Locust situation remained serious during November as small swarms formed in Mali, Niger, and Chad, and adult groups moved north to Libya, Tunisia and Algeria. And increasing number of adults were seen in Morocco and the Western Sahara. Locusts formed groups and small hopper bands in western Mauritania.

Not a day goes by that conflict does not rage in some part of the world. Equally, not a day goes by that some person, some family or some community does not take a step on the road to a better, more secure future, one free from conflict, hunger and poverty. And both can happen in one and the same place.

Both conflict and development are driven by a profound dissatisfaction with the way things are. But the one is a destructive response, while the other is positive and constructive.

General situation during June 2012

Forecast until mid-August 2012

The Desert Locust situation remained serious during June as adult groups and small swarms migrated from the outbreak area along both sides of the Algerian-Libyan border to the northern Sahel in Mali and Niger where the rain have fallen about six weeks earlier than normal. Survey and control teams were mobilized in Niger but were limited by insecurity and a shortage of funds. Similarly, operations could not be carried out in northern Mali where locals reported small swarms.

Geneva (ICRC) – Major crises that erupted in 2011 in the Middle East and Africa, alongside existing armed conflicts and other violent situations all over the world, caused immense suffering among millions of people that lasted well into 2012 and made them heavily dependent on aid. In addition, increasing food demand in several parts of the world continued to fuel unrest and conflict, as did the consequences of drought and floods. The worldwide economic crisis further compounded the woes felt by many.

SG/SM/14353
OBV/1115
REF/1199

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for World Refugee Day, observed 20 June:

Fact Sheet

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

May 24, 2012

Testimony

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

Statement Before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

Washington, DC

February 29, 2012

May I change out my chair for that chair right there? Thank you. I very much appreciate that. That’s much better.

Fact Sheet

Washington, DC

February 13, 2012

The President’s FY 2013 Budget for the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) strengthens U.S. national security, advances America’s economic interests, and elevates America’s global leadership through diplomacy and development. It supports U.S. businesses, protects Americans at home and abroad, and stops the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It supports our allies and partners, prevents conflict, promotes democracy, and reflects our core values.