Sierra Leone

Key developments in Africa on the week of June 3rd include the fragile situation in Ethiopia, where political and economic reforms are endangered by ethnic violence; the heavy campaign led by Al Shabaab during the Ramadan month in Somalia; the continued violence in CAR’s Bambari area and in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado region; and other relevant events across the continent.

• Although decreased rains are expected in West Africa, high ground moisture sustains the risk for floods.
  
• Poorly distributed rains strengthen seasonal deficits over parts of central Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda

1) While a recent increase in August precipitation is expected to lead to more favorable ground moisture, a delayed onset and uneven rainfall distribution observed during the June-September season may negatively impact cropping and pastoral conditions in the region.

- Above-average seasonal rainfall continues over several regions of West Africa.
- Poorly distributed rains strengthen seasonal deficits over parts of central Ethiopia.

1) While a recent increase in August precipitation is expected to lead to more favorable ground moisture, a delayed onset and uneven rainfall distribution observed during the June-September season may negatively impact cropping and pastoral conditions in the region.

 Abnormally wet conditions are continuing for several nations in the western Gulf of Guinea region

 Moisture deficits worsen further in southeast Sudan, Eritrea and parts of Ethiopia with a continued lack of rainfall.

• A slight decrease in rainfall was observed over West Africa during the past week.

• Parts of Eastern Africa have received below-average rain since the beginning of the season.

1) A delayed onset of the rainy season, followed by poorly-distributed rainfall, has led to abnormal dryness across Burkina Faso, the northern parts of Ghana, Togo, and Benin, western and southern Niger, and northern Nigeria, The lack of rainfall over the past several weeks has delayed planting and has already negatively affected cropping activities over many local areas.

• Drier than average conditions observed in southeastern Senegal and western Mali.

• Favorable rainfall distribution continues over the Greater Horn of Africa.

1) A delayed onset of the rainy season, followed by poorly-distributed rainfall, has led to abnormal dryness across Burkina Faso, the northern parts of Ghana, Togo, and Benin, western and southern Niger, and northern Nigeria, The lack of rainfall over the past several weeks has delayed planting and has already negatively affected cropping activities over many local areas.

• Despite a recent improvement in rainfall, dryness has persisted over parts of West Africa.

• Below-average rainfall observed in northwestern Ethiopia and central South Sudan since the start of the season.

1) An uneven distribution of the March-May rain has adversely impacted crops and ground conditions over the SNNP, central and Belg-producing areas of Ethiopia, eastern Eritrea, and Djibouti. As the March-May season had already ended, recovery is unlikely.

• Abnormal dryness has settled in across West Africa due to insufficient rains since the start of the season.

• Seasonal rains continue in Eastern Africa.

1) An uneven distribution of the March-May rains had adversely impacted crops and ground conditions over the SNNP, central and Belgproducing areas of Ethiopia, eastern Eritrea, and Djibouti. As the March-May season had already ended, recovery is unlikely.

- The onset of the rainy season has been sluggish over West Africa, but an increase in rainfall is expected during the next week.

1) An uneven distribution of the March-May rains had adversely impacted crops and ground conditions over the SNNP, central and Belg-producing areas of Ethiopia, eastern Eritrea, and Djibouti. As the March-May season has already ended, recovery is unlikely.

• Suppressed seasonal rains were received across the western Sahel during late August.
  
• Enhanced rains continued over western Ethiopia, eastern Sudan and eastern South Sudan.

1) Below-average rains during the Belg season and a late onset of the Kiremt rains have led to persistent moisture deficits, which have delayed planting and negatively affected the development of already-planted crops over the Arsi and West Arsi zones in central Oromia of central Ethiopia.

 A favorable distribution of rainfall was observed across a wide portion of Africa during the past week.

1) A delayed start of the rainfall season across northwestern Ethiopia, southern Eritrea, and bordering areas in Sudan has negatively impacted cropping activities, including planting. After this past week’s heavy rainfall, moderate rains are forecast during the next outlook period, which could help to alleviate dryness over the region.

• Torrential rains impacted parts of far western West Africa during the past week.

• While above-average seasonal rains caused flooding in Ethiopia, dryness persisted in Sudan and Eritrea.

• Locusts have infested a wide portion of western Madagascar, threatening the livelihoods of millions of people.
  
• Reduced rain was observed along the Gulf of Guinea, while heavy rain fell over South Sudan during the past week.
  

1) Since the beginning of May, intermittent and insufficient rains have increased rainfall deficits over parts of north central Nigeria. Scattered, moderate to heavy showers are forecast over the region during the next outlook period; but they may not be sufficient to fully overcome accumulated deficits.

1) The delayed onset of the March-May rainfall has negatively impacted ground conditions over the Belg-producing areas of northern Ethiopia. Despite an increase in rain since mid-April, the accumulated rainfall has remained below-average. Limited rain is forecast over the area during the next outlook period, likely maintaining rainfall deficits.

Thirty-day rainfall surpluses continue to grow across western Ethiopia and western 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.

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.

ADDIS ABABA – A groundbreaking meeting in the Ethiopian capital this week has strengthened efforts to scale up nutrition initiatives under the Renewed Efforts Against Child Hunger and Undernutrition initiative, known as REACH.

It has been the largest-scale gathering of the REACH partnership since the initiative was established in 2008. It brought together technical experts and officials from four UN agencies in all 12 countries where the REACH approach is being followed, as well as from the host country, Ethiopia.

ADDIS ABABA, 11 October 2012 (IRIN) - Countries where people lack adequate access to land rights, water and energy - are among the worst performers in theannual Global Hunger Index (GHI).

“We find there is a definite correlation between these resources and food insecurity,” said Claudia Ringler, a co-author of this year’s GHI study, which was produced jointly by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the NGOs Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe.

1) Although rainfall has been consistent in the western parts of the country since the middle of May, accumulated rainfall has been erratic and below-average since the start of the Kiremt rainy season in June in portions of western Ethiopia including the Oromiya region. Another week of increased rainfall is forecast during the next seven days which will continue to help reduce moisture deficits and aid cropping activities in the region.

1) The five-week delay in the onset of the March-May seasonal rainfall and the erratic and below-average nature of the Kiremt rains have significantly impacted ground moisture and cropping activities in the central region of Ethiopia. Although rainfall has been consistent in the western parts of the country since the middle of May, accumulated rainfall has been well below-average since the start of the Kiremt rainy season in June.