By Linda Low, IFRC

On the final day of the Global Platform, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Socieites convened a panel of experts in a special side event focussed on the power of education in reducing risk and thus increasing community resilience. Walter Cotte, IFRC Undersecretary General for Programme Services said: “Schools are centres of energy, creativity, families, communities; this is where we can start to really build resilience.”

May 24 2013 (IPS) - With its youthful population, fast growing economies and an expanding middle class, Africa has much to celebrate on 25th May, Africa Day.

This year Africa Day also marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963.

When IPS Africa spoke to a few health experts we found out that advances in health, especially treatment of HIV and Aids are some of the areas we can celebrate this Africa Day.

We also heard what needs to happen over the coming years to make greater progress in the area of healthcare.

ROME – Le Programme alimentaire mondial des Nations Unies (PAM) lance aujourd’hui un rapport intitulé «La situation de l’alimentation scolaire dans le monde» apportant, pour la première fois, un aperçu global de l’alimentation scolaire et présentant des analyses détaillées de ces programmes dans les pays développés ainsi que les pays en développement. Le rapport fournit également des données sur l’utilisation des repas scolaires comme un ‘filet de sécurité’ par les gouvernements lors des périodes de crises.

This is a summary of what was said by the UNHCR spokesperson at today’s Palais des Nations press briefing in Geneva. Further information can be found on the UNHCR websites, www.unhcr.org and www.unhcr.fr, which should also be checked for regular media updates on non-briefing days.

Geneva, 24 May 2013 -- With the violence worsening inside Syria, UNHCR expects that growing numbers of people will continue to seek safety and assistance across international borders.

LONDRES, 24 mai 2013 (IRIN) - Chaque année, des centaines de milliers de personnes sont obligées de quitter leur lieu de résidence en raison de la violence ou de catastrophes naturelles. Mais l'image du déplacement se transforme : en général, elle est associée à des camps tentaculaires établis en zone rurale, mais aujourd'hui, les déplacés sont tout aussi susceptibles de vivre en zone urbaine, souvent dans l'anonymat.

GENEVA, 23 May (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction) — Auditing and regulatory experts today said that accountability is paramount for all actors in disaster risk reduction, from victims and taxpayers to national Governments, international organizations and civil society.

The experts were discussing disaster risk management standards and accountability for business and citizens as part of the Global Platform on Disaster Reduction, which opened here on 19 May and ended today.

Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Geneva

Arief Wicaksono joyfully performed a pantomime act on what deaf people should do during an earthquake. Jumping and waving his hands back and forth, Arief demonstrated the “duck, cover and hold” method of personal protection.

NOAA predicts active 2013 Atlantic hurricane season

Era of high activity for Atlantic hurricanes continues

May 23, 2013

In its 2013 Atlantic hurricane season outlook issued today, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting an active or extremely active season this year.

On Thursday, May 23, the world will be marking the first-ever International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, as recently designated by the United Nations General Assembly. USAID commemorates this day by celebrating a milestone in global maternal health: Over 30,000 fistula repair surgeries have been performed with U.S. support since 2005. Fistula, a devastating childbirth injury believed to affect millions of women in developing countries, can be surgically repaired up to 90% of the time.