Overall situation

- In the past 100 years, the global average temperature has risen by about 0.74 degrees Celsius.

- The rate of change accelerated over the course of the 20th Century.

- Projections in temperature rise for the 21st century range from 2 to 4 degrees Celsius.

- It is very likely that this temperature rise is mainly caused by the emission of what are known as greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (C02) and methane. They are increasing, mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels including coal, gas and oil, deforestation,

This report covers the period 01/01/2009 to 30/06/2009.

In brief

Programme summary: The International Federation's regional representation in Moscow worked with the National Societies of Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine to support them in their work aligned with the Global Agenda Goals. Most of this support is laid out in the individual plans for each country, and is reported on through separate programme updates, which can be found here: Belarus,

Speaking on International Volunteers Day at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poland, Mr. Geleta

- World cereal production in 2008 is forecast to increase 2.8 percent to a record 2 180 million tonnes. Most of the increase is in wheat following significant expansion in plantings in all regions. Coarse grains output is expected around the bumper level of last year but lower than earlier anticipated due to severe floods in the United States, the world's largest producer and exporter. Rice is tentatively forecast to increase slightly from last year's good level.

- Despite the anticipated increase in world output, cereal markets will remain tight in 2008/09. Total cereal

After consulting the local authorities and branches, our partner in Moldova designated several peasants in each region, who were most heavily affected by the natural disaster last year. The number of recipients in each of the regions depends on the size of the area end the scale of damage.

Moldova, since its independence in 1991, one of the poorest countries in the region, had had a steady economic growth up to 2007, with 4.8 per cent growth in 2006. Difficulties before the 2007 drought included a high increase in energy prices and a ban on wine exports

- In November, a cyclone kills around 3,300 people and leaves hundreds of thousands homeless and in desperate need of supplies in Bangladesh. A military-led relief effort, aided by a fleet of US helicopters, is hampered by huge logistical hurdles after many roads are washed away by a tidal wave or blocked by fallen trees.

- More than 3,200 people are killed and 25 million of others marooned and displaced in the worst floods in decades across South Asia between June and September. Heavy monsoon rains and snow

Le ministre de l'ordre public, Vyron G. Polydoras, remercie par un diplôme d'honneur les 43 participants civils et militaires suisses venus lutter cet été contre les incendies de forêts et de broussailles dans la presqu'île du Péloponèse.

BACKGROUND AND KEY DEVELOPMENTS

- Extremely hot temperatures and below normal rainfall across southeast Europe from June to August 2007 led to numerous wildfires in nearly every country in the region. Although wildfires are annual occurrences, and the local ecosystems are fire-adapted, the 2007 season was among the worst on record, according to national firefighting authorities and government officials.