In the wake of the food crises of the early 1970s and the resulting World Food Conference of 1974, a group of innovators realized that food security depends not only on crop production but also on the policies that affect an entire food system, from farm to table. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) was founded in 1975, the same year as the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, which formally created the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

West Africa is characterized by a considerable population mobility, most especially of the young. Many of them quit their home villages for the big cities or even neighbouring countries, seeking better economic perspectives for themselves and their families. However, most often these children find themselves faced with exploitation and abuse. Terre des hommes has decided to tackle the problem head on by launching an important project whose aim is to offer these unaccompanied migrant youngsters a truly protective environment.

Un incendie s’est déclaré vendredi au camp d’Avépozo qui abrite plusieurs milliers de réfugiés ivoiriens. Selon Joseph Müller Afagnagbé, le responsable de l’information du HCR au Togo, le feu est d’origine criminelle.

Dans la matinée, une équipe d’ouvriers avait été envoyée sur place pour effectuer des travaux de maintenance, mais des réfugiés s’y sont opposés nécessitant l’intervention des forces de l’ordre. Au même moment un incendie a ravagé une dizaines de tentes.

Le ministre de la Sécurité, Yark Damehane, s’est rendu sur place.

Despite tough challenges in fragile countries, World Bank analysis reveals glimmers of hope

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2013—Despite enduring political and economic challenges, 20 fragile and conflict-affected states have recently met one or more targets under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and an additional six countries are on track to meet individual targets ahead of the 2015 deadline, according to a new analysis by the World Bank Group released today.

FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT

• Estimates for the 2012 harvest point to another above average cereal production

• Cereal markets remain well supplied, following several consecutive years of good crop

The ECOWAS experts' meeting on the education of girls and other vulnerable groups ended on Friday 19 April 2013 in Banjul with some important recommendations, whose implementation would go a long way to enhancing the promotion of the education of these marginalized social groups.

West Africa can be divided into three agro-ecological zones or three different trade basins (West Basin, Central Basin and East Basin). Both important for understanding market behavior and dynamics.

ECOWAS and its partners have achieved another milestone in their stride towards the elimination of malaria in the region with the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a biolarvicides factory in Port Harcourt, capital of Nigeria’s south eastern Rivers State.

The President of the ECOWAS Commission His Excellency Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo and Nigeria’s Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who represented President His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, unveiled the plaque at a well-attended ceremony on Thursday 11th April 2013.

UN Women calls for greater participation of women to achieve peace in Sahel and urge world leaders to protect and advance women’s rights

“In Mali as well as in the Sahel, women are among the most affected by the crisis. They are also those with the strongest understanding of conflict dynamics. But yet, we remain confined at home and excluded from decision-making,” said Aiziza Mint Kadra, former Deputy Mayor of the historical city of Timbuktu in Mali as she shared her story with regional and international experts.