Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation - Thu, 16 May 2013 02:53 PM

By Saleem Shaikh and Sughra Tunio

SETI DEVI, Kathmandu (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - For Hira Pulami, seeing the charred trunks of the precious pine trees he grew up with is a cause of lingering pain. But he is hopeful that Nepal’s new forest-fire detection system will help avoid a repeat of the recent catastrophe that struck his village.

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Posted by Alina Romanowski, Acting Assistant Administrator for Middle East on Tuesday, May 14th 2013

Recently, while visiting the West Bank, I had the pleasure to meet Palestinian shop owner Abu Shadi at his store in the community of Dura in the Hebron governorate. His Al Awawdeh Shop is one of 130 West Bank shops participating in an innovative USAID/World Food Programme (WFP) food assistance voucher program that channels aid through the local market.

As part of our nearly $510 million in humanitarian aid to help those affected by the crisis in Syria, wheat recently provided by the United States will feed more than one million people in Syria for four months.

98% of all displacement in 2012 was related to climate- and weather-related events, with flood disasters in India and Nigeria accounting for 41% of global displacement in 2012.

There is a high likelihood that the Marshall Islands will remain in drought conditions through July. Water tanks are empty and wells are unsafe for drinking.

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.

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC

May 8, 2013

Office of the Spokesperson, Washington, DC
May 8, 2013

Fact Sheet
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
May 7, 2013