Continued good performance of the seasonal rainfall further improved water and pasture availability in most droughtprone areas around the country. All types of water sources were fully replenished in Somali Region and in all woredas of Oromia Region, with the exception of Shalla and Siraro in West Arsi zone.

Addis Ababa May 18/2013 A company called DuPont Pioneer said it has allocated four million USD to boost maize productivity in Ethiopia for the next three years. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a seed processing plant and a warehouse constructed with over two million USD in Menagasha Town, Oromia State on Friday, DuPont Pioneer Vice President Dan Jacobi said that DuPont is contributing share in the ongoing efforts to boost maize productivity through building the plant and warehouse.

Heavy rains continued for a second week across previously dry areas in western Ethiopia and South Sudan.

1) Poorly distributed and significantly below average seasonal rainfall has resulted in deteriorating ground conditions since January. This has negatively impacted crops and livestock throughout many parts of southern Angola and northern Namibia.

Contextual Background

Pattern in Population Change

Organized large-scale relocation from the Transit Centre began on 05 August 2011 and completed early September 2011, during which time Hilaweyn Camp has grown rapidly

Areas of Origin

50% are from Gedo, 31% are from Bay, 16% are from Bakol, remaining are from various other locations in Somalia.

Cultural Background

Sunni Muslim

Contextual Background

Pattern in Population Change

Organized large-scale relocation from the Transit Centre began on 24 June 2011 and ended 16 July 2011, during which time the Camp has grown rapidly.

Areas of Origin

53% of residents are from Bay, 30% are from Gedo, 13% are from Bakol, remaining are from various areas in Somalia.

Cultural Background

Sunni Muslim Majority (80%) are May May speakers from Rahanweyn clan, 12% are Mahatiri speakers from Maheren clan and the remaining are from various other Somali clans.

Main Occupations

Evaluation of the Irish Aid Ethiopia CSP (2008-2012) Executive Summary

In early 2012 Irish Aid commissioned an independent evaluation of the Irish Aid Ethiopia Country Strategy 2008-2012. The evaluation was carried out by a team of consultants from ITAD Ltd. The following is the executive summary of the evaluation with two lesson learning briefs.

Evaluation of the Irish Aid Ethiopia CSP (2008-12) Learning Brief RBM

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

· Although the recent good performance of seasonal rainfall has enhanced water and pasture availability in most drought-prone areas of Ethiopia, populations in some belg-producing parts of eastern Ethiopia will likely continue to experience Crisis—Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) 3—level food insecurity through June due to delayed and poorly distributed February-to-May 2013 belg rains and resulting planting disruptions.

Gambella May 13/2013 Construction of 241 safe water projects is underway in Nuer Zone of Gambella State at a cost of over 78.5 million Birr, the regional water and energy resource development bureau said. During a visit of Economic and Finance Affairs Advisor to the regional chief, Gatwich Gach to the projects, Deputy bureau head Mekbedi Uchan said that similar projects are underway in rural and urban localities to meet the MDGs in safe water provision. Mekbedi said the projects will help to improve accessibility of safe water in the region thereby meet the MDGs in the sector.

By William Lloyd-George

ADDIS ABABA, May 10 2013 (IPS) - Several Ethiopian publications are coming together to set up a ‘press council’ with the hope of easing restrictions on the media in Ethiopia.

The journalists suggested the idea of the council at a May 3 meeting held at the behest of the Ministry of Information to discuss media reforms in the country.