HIGHLIGHTS

Mozambique:

Since the beginning of a cholera outbreak in Mozambique in early January 2013, a total of 1,861 cases and 19 deaths have been recorded nationally as at 31 May 2013 (CFR=1%). The outbreak is considered over all provinces except Niassa, although zero cases have been reported there during the past few weeks.

Madagascar:

By Busani Bafana

NKAYI, Zimbabwe, Jun 14 2013 (IPS) - For the past five years, farmer Melusi Mhlanga has spent nearly 200 dollars each season for inputs, but the maize yields have not matched his investment.

“With good rains I have been able to get more than 20 bags from my two hectare field but now I barely manage 10 bags,” says Mhlanga, who spoke to IPS at his homestead where he has diversified into livestock breeding.

The Government of Japan provided emergency relief goods consisting of tents and blankets worth 12 million yen ( approximately USD 120,000) to the Republic of Zimbabwe, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In response to a request following the hailstorm which occurred from the 1st week to 3rd week of April, the goods were distributed with the co-operation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Zimbabwe office and the Department of Civil Protection in the Ministry of Local Government, Urban and Rural Development.

Almost a billion people go hungry every day and 165 million children under five suffer from malnutrition – a startling fact when you consider there is enough food in the world to feed everyone.

In the lead up to the G8 summit, where eight of the world’s leaders will be discussing how to tackle hunger on a global scale, I have been looking at the British Red Cross’ response to this complex issue. Last week I focused on the link between HIV and hunger in Lesotho. This week I am looking at how communities are working together to overcome food insecurity in Zimbabwe.

Link: Southern Africa Humanitarian Bulletin: Issue 11, June 2013

Contains 2 maps

06/13/2013 21:00 GMT

by Reagan MASHAVAVE

HARARE, June 13, 2013 (AFP) - Zimbabwe was plunged into fresh political crisis on Thursday as Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai vowed to fight a unilateral decision by President Robert Mugabe to hold elections on July 31.

Mugabe used temporary presidential powers to set the date for a vote that would put an end to their uneasy power-sharing government.

"Today, early in the morning, I received a letter from president Mugabe (proclaiming)... July 31 as the election day," Tsvangirai said.

Tongaat Hulett is tightening water management at the firm’s sugar plantations as supplies dwindle with water levels in the Lowveld reaching critical levels.

“This follows successive poor rainfall seasons in the main catchment areas and consequently low inflows which havwe led to decline in the industry’s major supply dams,” said the company in a statement.

Lake Mutirikwi is less than 25 percent of capacity. This is the first time it has reached such low levels since the devastating drought of 1992.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid ("the Humanitarian Aid Regulation"), and in particular Article 2, notably 2 (c), Article 4 and Article 15(2) and (3) thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision 2001/822/EC of 27 November 2001 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community ("Overseas Association Decision"), and in particular Articles 21 and 30 thereof,

Whereas: