This study examines the impact of biofuel production on the enjoyment of the human right to adequate food and the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger. It follows from internationally recognised human rights that States have a core obligation to ensure freedom from hunger for all, and that any decisions which may negatively affect the enjoyment of the right to food should be reviewed. This has also been reiterated by the UN Human Rights Council in its resolution adopted on 22 May 2008 as the result of its special session on the food crisis from

This year's Outlook is set against a backdrop of exceptional increases in prices for many agricultural commodities, and this has posed a considerable challenge in preparing the projections and assessing the "durability" of the various influences shaping these prices. That is, which of the factors that are driving up prices are temporary and which will prove to be more permanent influences? How will they individually and collectively affect price levels, price trends and price volatility in the future? How will markets react to currently high prices and a more

Executive summary
The recent global food crisis can be seen as a wake-up call which can be turned into an opportunity by developing countries and the international community to revitalize global agriculture production and trade and do more to rectify the systemic imbalances in global agricultural production and trade that have contributed over the years to today's problems. The crisis has highlighted inherent tensions that exist in regard to the agricultural food sector. Responses to the crisis will have to include both shortterm and longer-term measures, reflecting

The aim of this report is to assist agencies working in the response to Cyclone Nargis by highlighting key lessons that have been learned from other natural disasters, specifically floods, hurricanes and cyclones. The report distils main findings and lessons from evaluations and synthesis reports contained in the ALNAP Evaluative Reports Database (ERD), as well as other learning initiatives concerned with responses to natural disasters. Where possible it provides links to these documents as well as to additional relevant papers and web sites. These are listed

Food aid has been the main response to repeated and protracted humanitarian crises in Lesotho since 2002, and during that time it has also been the major part of World Vision's emergency responses. Along with the government, donors and NGOs, World Vision is increasingly interested in the role that cash transfers can play in tackling hunger and vulnerability, and is implementing a pilot cash transfer programme in two districts in Lesotho - Maseru and Mohale's Hoek.

Whilst the potential for cash transfers to provide an appropriate and affordable response to chronic and emergency

Child soldiers. Two simple words. But they describe a world of atrocities committed against children and sometimes by children. Committed in many different countries and often hidden from the public eye. We know how devastating these experiences are for children - thanks to the courage and determination of those who have spoken out and called on the international community to take action on their behalf.

This Global Report, the third produced by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, elaborates on progress

The project on Multidimensional and Integrated Peace Operations was launched in 2006. This final and concluding report summarizes the key findings and brings together a number of recommondations on how to better implement multidimensional mandates in the wake of the dramatic increase in the demand for UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations.

The project covers a wide range of issues such as; improving strategic integration, the need for better alignments among relevant UN entities, the need for stronger leadership and incentives,

This document has been prepared for general health coordinators working at national and sub-national level in low and middle income countries. These include national-level Health Cluster members, such as general health coordinators for government, UN and non-UN international agencies and local NGO health programmes.

This document is largely based on the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (IASC, 2007). It will likely be sufficient for general health coordinators (who have numerous responsibilities beyond mental health)