Arguing for the combination of relief and development in response to crisis situations, this report outlines factors for consideration in dealing with operational issues and building capacity to respond to urgent needs, as well as proposes an operational framework within which to develop an appropriate response.

The paper builds on experiences of Rwanda and of Mozambique, Cambodia and Central America. It was presented as an input to the debate launched by the UN Secretary-General on the changing nature of humanitarian crises and on the need for a new type of multi-faceted

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright met with Ibrahim Rugova, Kosovar Albanian leader, May 30 to discuss how the United States could help bring an end to the Kosovo crisis, according to a statement by Department spokesman James P. Rubin. Albright briefed Dr. Rugova and his negotiating team on her discussions at the North Atlantic Council ministerial in Luxembourg and the strong concern of the allies about the Kosovo situation which were reflected in the strong statement which emerged from the meetings. According to Rubin's statement, released

Authorities in northern Afghanistan say the death toll from a powerful earthquake in the region has risen to 4-thousand and may be as high as five-thousand.

The United Nations is spearheading an urgent operation to bring food and shelter to thousands of survivors.

Emergency supplies of food, medicine and tents are being airlifted into Faizabad and Kwaghadur airports in the quake zone, which was hit by a tremor measuring around 7.0 on the Richter scale on Saturday.

Aid workers said the weather in the mountainous region was deteriorating rapidly, with heavy rain, flood, and low clouds

By Sayed Salahuddin

KABUL, June 1 (Reuters) - Scrambling against time and hostile terrain, relief agencies launched a major emergency operation on Monday for survivors of a devastating earthquake that killed thousands.

Aid agencies said there was an urgent need for medicine, blankets and shelter for thousands made homeless by the second massive quake since February.

"The key this time, as it was last time, is getting shelter for these people," said United Nations spokeswoman Sarah Russell in Islamabad, capital of neighbouring Pakistan.

UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Integrated Regional Information Network for West Africa
Tel: +225 21-73-54
Fax: +225 21-63-35
e-mail: irin-wa@africaonline.co.ci

IRIN-WA Update 219 of Events in West Africa, (Saturday-Monday) 30 May - 1 June 1998

NIGER: Army quells mutiny

Army troops stormed the headquarters of Niger's paramilitary Garde Republicaine in the capital Niamey late on Saturday to free a deputy commander who was held hostage in a pay dispute for several hours. Media reports said that as calm returned to Niamey on

Press Release SG/SM/6578
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan

The Secretary-General has learned with profound sadness of the earthquake that struck Badakshan and Takhar Provinces in Afghanistan on 30 May, a region that has been recovering from the severe effects of an earthquake that occurred less than four months earlier. He wishes to convey his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and is committed to extending all efforts of the United Nations to relieve

By Muzzamil Pasha

FAIZABAD, Afghanistan, June 1 (Reuters) - Aftershocks jolted northern Afghanistan on Monday as a major relief effort got under way for survivors of an earthquake that killed up to 4,000.

"Aftershocks that continue to shudder through the region, sometimes only minutes apart, keep people from moving back to their houses and remind a population traumatised by Saturday's quake that another could easily strike," the U.N. said. The world body said aid workers converging on the remote and difficult terrain

Alert Afghanistan 5/98
Three districts of northeastern Afghanistan were hit by a strong earthquake around 11.00 am Saturday, May 30. The earthquake measured 6.9 on the Richter scale and so far 3,500 casualties have been reported. This figure may rise as information becomes available from remoter villagers. The three districts hit are reported to be Rustaq, Chah Ab and Shahr-e-burg in Takhar and Badakhshan provinces.

ACT member Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) working with local organizations in Badakshan Province participated in

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
MEXICO and CENTRAL AMERICA - FIRES

Fiscal Year (FY) 1998 - Situation Report #8

Background: During 1998, Mexico and the entire Central American region have been affected by drought exacerbated by El Nino conditions. The drought has aggravated the effects of slash and burn agricultural practices in forest and grassland areas, leaving thousands of fires burning out of control. According