The International Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. The Federation is the world's largest humanitarian organization, and its millions of volunteers are active in over 180 countries. All international assistance to support vulnerable communities seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response, according to the SPHERE Project.

In Brief

Appeal No.01.21/2004;

Programme Update no. 2;

Period covered: July to November 2004;

Appeal coverage: 58.6%;

Outstanding needs: CHF 2,146,843 (USD 1,896,500 or EUR 1,391,300).

Click here to go directly to the attached Contributions List, also available on the website.Appeal target: CHF 5,184,993 (USD 3,894,098 or EUR 3,337,619)

JOHANNESBURG, 29 December (IRIN) - When Dr Keith Bolton treated children in the 1990s, the death of a patient was still relatively infrequent. As head of child health at South Africa's Coronation Hospital in Johannesburg, Bolton saw an average of one child die each week.

Now, Bolton and his colleagues see one child die every day.

"In the past, death was an uncommon event in children, especially after the newborn period," said Bolton. "Now we've seen a complete reversal of the gains we made in the 1960s, '70s and '80s."

In the early 1960s, nearly one in five

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

MBABANE, 24 December (PLUSNEWS) - The Swazi army has unveiled a new policy that rejects HIV-positive recruits, while acknowledging that its ranks of enlisted men and officers have been badly affected by the disease.

"The army is experiencing a rise in HIV/AIDS-related illnesses and deaths, and this has adverse effects on its overall mission and preparedness, and may eventually lead to insecurity in the country," stated the policy document of the national Umbutfo Royal Defence Force (URDF).

RIACSO provides support to national efforts in addressing the southern African triple threat of food insecurity, weakened capacity for governance and HIV/AIDS and ensures cohesion and complementarity of the effort at a regional level. In addition, RIACSO supports the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Humanitarian Needs in Southern Africa, Mr. James Morris, in his mandate to raise awareness of the situation, its underlying causes and to provide recommendations on how to strengthen the response and mobilise donor support.
REGIONAL AND COUNTRY SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTS

INTRODUCTION

This is the third and last issue for 2004 of this report prepared by the FAO Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) on the food supply situation and cereal import and food aid requirements for all countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The report is designed to provide the latest analysis and information on the food situation in these countries to governments, international organizations and other institutions engaged in humanitarian operations.

1. The Government of Japan has decided on the extension of food aid totaling 900 million yen through the World Food Programme (WFP). Notes to this effect were exchanged on December 17 (Fri) (Japan time) in Rome between Ms. Nobuko Matsubara, Japanese Ambassador to Italy, and Mr. James T. Morris, Executive Director of WFP.

2. The following is the breakdown of the food aid (amount extended).

(1)	Afflicted Persons in the Democratic Republic of Congo	(300 million yen)
(2)

Two years ago, Southern Africa was the focus of attention for the humanitarian community and for public concern. Between the 6 focus countries of a regional appeal (Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe) and Angola, over 16.5 million people were estimated to be in need of emergency assistance to meet their food needs.

In the period up to April 2005, the number of people predicted to be food insecure is 60% lower than two years ago, and aid agencies are scaling-down activities rapidly and supporting residual

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 181 countries. For more information: www.ifrc.org

In Brief

Appeal No.01.18/2004; Programme Update no. 2; Period covered: July to November, 2 004; Appeal coverage: 12.5%; Outstanding needs: CHF 1,713,047 (USD 1,426,900 or EUR 1,120,000).

Appeal target: CHF (1,958,344 USD 1,470,780 or EUR 1,260,601).