HIGHLIGHTS

• New study shows that over a quarter of a million people died from food insecurity and famine between late 2010 and early 2012 and underlines the need to heed early warnings.

• Seasonal rains bring relief, but localized flooding displaces 50,000 people and kills seven.

• Somalis return home from neighbouring countries albeit at slow pace. About 16,000 people have returned from Kenya in 2013.

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.

In 2012, Sweden was the third largest bilateral humanitarian donor in the world after the United States and the United Kingdom. Since 2005, Sweden's humanitarian aid contributions have risen from SEK 3.3 billion to over SEK 5 billion in 2012.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

• More than 87 percent of IDPs in southern Yemen have returned to areas of origin since July 2012 as a result of improved security conditions, according to the U.N. However, less than 11 percent of IDPs in northern Yemen have returned home due to protracted insecurity. A lack of basic services is an issue in both northern and southern areas.

LONDON: The UAE has pledged AED183 million (US$50 million) in aid for Somalia.

The UAE's pledge was announced at the Somalia Conference 2013 which was opened in London today UK Prime Minister David Cameron in presence of high-level representatives of more than fifty countries. The conference aims to provide international support for the Government of Somalia as they rebuild their country, to show international support to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who was elected last year and to increase donations for Somalia to improve its security.

The State of Kuwait affirmed Tuesday unlimited support for Somalia to help the African country rebuild itself following two decades of conflict. "The State of Kuwait seeks in the upcoming period to reopen an embassy in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, following the stability of security situation," Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Sabah told KUNA on sidelines of an international conference to assist Somalia.

May 7, 2013

LONDON, U.K. — Somalis and Somali refugees will receive lifesaving humanitarian assistance from Canada, announced Ted Opitz, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre, while participating in the Conference on Somalia today in London, United Kingdom.

"Canada is lending a helping hand to address the immediate needs of the most vulnerable people in Somalia, as well as of Somali refugees in Kenya," said Mr. Opitz. "Canadian values of compassion and concern for those facing acute malnutrition and displacement are expressed in this urgent assistance."

Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, today announced that the European Union will further support the justice system and police force in Somalia with €44 million. The pledge was made during the Somalia conference in London, which aims to provide support for the Government of Somalia as they rebuild their country after two decades of conflict.

The EU has been a long-time partner to Somalia, with more than 1.2 billion euro provided since 2008 to support the Somali people basic needs and improve the security of the country.

AFR/2610
PA/11

NEW YORK, 30 April (Department of Political Affairs) — The United Nations Trust Fund for the Fight against Piracy today approved a package of projects in support of anti-piracy efforts in Somalia and other affected States in the region, including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Maldives and the Seychelles.

The announcement was made in New York by United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, who chaired the Board of the Trust Fund to Support Initiatives of States Countering Piracy off the Coast of Somalia.