Introduction

Forty-six NGOs welcome a new peace deal, appeal for additional political measures and the creation of a donor fund to support the peace process.

Prepared communities, fine-tuned development practice and effective finance can only go so far in building resilience: The Arid and Semi Arid Lands also need strong and effective leadership

1. Population and General

There are approximately 20 million pastoralists across Sub-Saharan Africa. Pastoralists - people who depend primarily on livestock or livestock products for income and food- typically graze their animals on communally managed or open-access pastures, and move with them seasonally. Adding in agro-pastoralists-who derive 50 per cent of their income from non-livestock resources-the numbers reaches over 30 million in the Greater Horn of Africa (CAADP Policy Brief No.6, March 2012).

(Excerpt)

Gaza 14 June 2012: Fifty international charities and United Nations Agencies have unanimously called for the lifting of the blockade of Gaza. The organizations have published a simple three line statement to mark the fifth anniversary of the tightening of the blockade of the Strip.

It reads:

For over five years in Gaza, more than 1.6 million people have been under blockade in violation of international law. More than half of these people are children. We the undersigned say with one voice: “end the blockade now.”

GOOD PRACTICE EXAMPLES FROM THE ECHO DROUGHT CYCLE MANAGEMENT PARTNERS AND BEYOND

Introduction

Background

The current drought in The East and Horn of Africa is estimated to have affected 13 million people, of which 4.5 million are Kenyans. Lives and livelihoods have been lost. It has also caused extensive debates on how to end drought emergencies. The discussions have hit media headlines and formed agendas of national and international conferences. A few of the issues that have cut across all these discussions are the acknowledgement that:

· While drought is an unavoidable natural phenomenon, it need not and should not lead to famine and other disasters.

Disasters and their effects are well documented but little mentioned is how people have traditionally coped before disasters strike. Evidence exists that communities are endowed with traditional early warning systems that ensured safety for communities and minimal loss of lives and property to hazards. More recently, climatic change has created confusion in the ecological system such that indigenous early warning systems have either been discarded or underutilized.

Aid agencies urge donors to get priorities for newest nation right from the start

A coalition of 38 aid agencies today (Tuesday 06 September 2011) called on donors not to squander the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people of South Sudan, the world’s newest nation. The call came as new violence in Jonglei state increased emergency needs.