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.

A new three-year grant from Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) has just been approved and will enable the Danish Refugee Council to continue its advocacy and policy work in the Great Lakes region of Africa until 2016. The new funding will serve to strengthen the efforts of DRC and its partner organisations and to consolidate the results reached in the region since 2010.

Kent R. Hill, Senior Vice President, World Vision on Friday, May 10th 2013

The development field has been exploring for years ways to harness the power of technology to benefit those in need, especially mobile technology, which can reach people in remote areas who need food, health, education, and other assistance quickly and well.

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.

Cassava, a tropical root crop, is the third most important source of calories in the tropics, after rice and maize. According to FAO, it is the staple food for nearly a billion people in 105 countries.

Le maïs blanc est la céréale de base principale consommées en Tanzanie, au Kenya et en Ethiopie. En Ouganda, le maïs blanc est cultivé principalement en tant que culture commerciale pour l'exportation dans la région. Le riz importé est un aliment de base majeur pour Djibouti et la Somalie, qui consomment principalement Belem‐le riz importé rouge. La Tanzanie est également un producteur majeur et source de riz dans la région tandis que le Kenya et l'Ouganda sont de petits producteurs. Les deux rouges et le sorgho blanc sont produits et consommés dans la région.

Global Highlights

• The global cereal price index increased by 8.8% on a year-on-year basis in the January-March 2013 quarter.This increase is driven by increases in real prices of maize and wheat (+8% and +13%, respectively).

HIGHLIGHTS

• Several weeks of heavy rainfall have displaced tens of thousands of people from their homes in Kenya

• Despite crop damage, regional food security continues to improve

• Refugees continue to cross borders, albeit in reduced numbers, due to protracted insecurity in Sudan, South Sudan, Eastern DRC and Somalia