Water shortages are being experienced by Thaa Atoll Buruni following the breakdown of its water production plant. The island office says that the plant which was producing 500 litres of water daily broke down on Friday 27th of February. Bottled water is being brought in until repair is completed. The island office said that they have started using chlorinated well water for household needs despite some areas on the island still showing signs of saltwater contamination in the fresh water lens.

The National Disaster Management Centre

The suggestion that those affected by the tsunami will wait for ten years to receive aid is completely false. From the start of the crisis Australian Red Cross has joined International Red Cross in mounting a massive relief operation to support the people affected throughout the region devastated by the tsunami.

"In the first 30 days, the Red Cross

Throughout this post-election period, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, Ashraf Qazi, continued to promote a broad-based national dialogue among all Iraqi political parties in implementation of UNAMI's mandate under Security Council Resolution 1546. Mr Qazi consulted with Iraqi leadership from across the political spectrum and pledged the UN's support to further advance the transitional political process following last month's landmark elections for a constitution-writing National Assembly. Based on

AU Commission Chairman Alpha Konaré met in New York today with Secretary-General Annan to discuss deepening cooperation and coordination between the two organizations across a broad range of issues, including the situation in Darfur.

Security Issues:

South Sudan

The security situation in Akoc was reassessed by a UN team and it was reported that the situation had normalized. As of 28 Feb., Akoc reverted from OLS security level 3 to OLS security level 2.

Militia build up in Shilluk Kingdom has

As isolated survivors search in the rubble for anything of value, the machines scoop up mud, boards, furniture, bricks, books, crushed cars, bicycles, and the other remains of this city of 350,000 people, smashed by a 30- to 50-foot wall of water.

Officially, 119,000 died in Aceh Province, most of them here in Banda Aceh. Another 115,000 are missing and presumed