Normal start in bi-modal zone and a good progression of the season in Guinean-Sudanian zone

KEY MESSAGES

• February to April rainfall estimates (RFE) indicate that the onset of rains occurred earlier than normal this season with generally above normal rainfall levels in the bi-modal zone, as well as the southern part of the Guinean-Sudanian zone. According to medium term forecasts, an on time or early onset of the rains is expected for the northern part of the Guinean-Sudanian zone.

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).

The Higher Committee of Foreign aid at the Red Crescent Authority has allocated Dh 4.027 million to carry out developmental projects in a number of countries.

The assistance will cover health, education and social services sectors in addition to the provision of water supplies in areas which suffer from shortage of this vital service.

These projects will be carried out in a number of countries, including Palestine, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Jordan and Pakistan, Senegal, Bosnia, Uganda, Benin, Thailand, Chad, in addition to Ghana, Lebanon, Libya and Mauritania.

West Africa can be divided into three agro-ecological zones or three different trade basins (West Basin, Central Basin and East Basin). Both important for understanding market behavior and dynamics.

UN Women calls for greater participation of women to achieve peace in Sahel and urge world leaders to protect and advance women’s rights

“In Mali as well as in the Sahel, women are among the most affected by the crisis. They are also those with the strongest understanding of conflict dynamics. But yet, we remain confined at home and excluded from decision-making,” said Aiziza Mint Kadra, former Deputy Mayor of the historical city of Timbuktu in Mali as she shared her story with regional and international experts.

CERF disbursed over US$28 million during first Quarter of 2013 for emergency humanitarian response in West and Central Africa

During the first Quarter of 2013, the Central Fund for Emergency Response (CERF) has al- located 28.03 million dollars in five countries in West Africa and Central Africa: Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria and Togo. CERF funds for the region represent 19.2 per cent of all CERF allocations in the first Quarter in the world, a limited share.

KEY MESSAGES

• February to March rainfall estimates (RFE), as well as the medium term forecast, indicate that the onset of the long season rains (March to July) occurred in bi-modal areas of West Africa approximately one month earlier than normal.

• In bi-modal zones, current climatic conditions are favorable for the normal start of agricultural activities in April.

You’ve probably heard us say this before: To meet a growing demand for food from a growing population, we need to increase agricultural productivity by up to 60 percent by 2050. A growing population also means more demand for water.

Water to grow and raise food. Water to drink. Water for sanitation. Water for energy. Water, water and more water.

West Africa can be divided into three agro-ecological zones or three different trade basins (West Basin, Central Basin and East Basin). Both important for understanding market behavior and dynamics.