Eritrea and Ethiopia. A decision on the final demarcation of the border between the two countries has hopefully closed an important chapter in the conflict that has displaced so many people. Both the war and drought affected remain highly vulnerable to food insecurity as a result of chronic food insecurity and needs are likely to remain high for some time.
Somalia. The humanitarian outlook in Somalia continues to be bleak as a result of recurrent periods of drought and insecurity. The situation is exacerbated by the poor economy and lack of infrastructure and the result is a population who remain chronically food insecure, even during periods of relative plenty. Areas of particular concern are the pastoralist zones of the north and the Gedo, Bay and Bakool areas of the south.
Sudan. The food security situation has improved in many areas of the country as a result of normal rains that have improved crop yields and pasture for livestock. However, the level of vulnerability remains high as conflict in the south has escalated over the reporting period and has continued to displace populations and disrupt livelihoods. There have been increasing security incidents seemingly targeted at humanitarian workers and as a result many areas of acute need remain inaccessible.
Sierra Leone and the West Africa Region. The continuation of the peace process in Sierra Leone has opened up the majority of the country and led to massive returns of IDPs and refugees from Guinea. However, relief assistance will be required for some time. The security situation in Liberia has continued to deteriorate and there is increasing displacement of the population, which has led to concerns of regional destabilisation.
DRC. Peace talks aimed at ensuring a lasting peace in the DRC have resulted in an agreement between the government and one of the opposition groups. However, the failure of the other main rebel group to sign the accords has meant that insecurity is likely to continue. This will particularly affect the population in the east of the country where more than 2 million people have been displaced and are living in conditions of acute food insecurity with high rates of malnutrition and mortality.
Uganda. Uganda has enjoyed a period of relative calm over the past months and this has prompted planning for the return of IDPs from the northern and western areas. Conditions still look good for IDPs in the west, but a recent upsurge in violence in the north has meant that hopes of IDP returns have had to be postponed. The displaced in Katakwi are still at high risk.
Angola. The humanitarian situation in Angola is critical and the needs appear to be deepening despite the signing of a landmark cease fire and peace between the Angolan Government and UNITA. The number of new IDPs, many coming from newly accessible areas, continues to grow and they are arriving in municipal centres with very high rates of mortality and high prevalences of acute malnutrition.
Afghanistan. In general there has been an improvement in the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan largely as a result of the cessation of general hostilities. This has facilitated the establishment of an interim government who will oversee the reconstruction of the country. The need for emergency interventions will remain for some time as a result of the ongoing drought and the after affects of years of war. Humanitarian access has increased considerably and is highlighting areas of acute need.
Table 1
Risk Factors Affecting Nutrition in Selected
Situations
Situations in the table below are classed into five categories (row 1) relating to prevalence and or risk of malnutrition (I very high risk/prevalence, II high risk/prevalence, III moderate risk/prevalence, IV not at elevated risk/prevalence, V-unknown risk/prevalence, for further explanation see inside of the back page). The prevalence/risk is indirectly affected by both the underlying causes of malnutrition, relating to food, health and care (rows 2 4, and also Figure 1 at back of report) and the constraints limiting humanitarian response (rows 5 8). These categories are summations of the causes of malnutrition and the humanitarian response, but should not be used in isolation to prescribe the necessary response.
|
Factor |
Refugees in Tanzania |
IDPs in Kayanza, Burundi |
Refugees in Gueckedou Guinea |
New IDPs in Angola |
Drought displaced Gedo, Somalia |
Old refugees in Pakistan |
IDPs in Katakwi Uganda |
IDPs in Jangolei South Sudan |
|
|
1. Nutritional risk category |
III |
II |
II |
I |
I |
III |
II |
I |
|
|
2. Public Health Environment(water, shelter, overcrowding,
access to health services) |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
O |
X |
X |
|
|
3. Social & Care Environment(Social organisations and
networks, Women s role, status and rights) |
O |
X |
O |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
4. Food Security |
|
O |
O |
X |
X |
O |
X |
X |
|
|
5. Accessibility to population |
|
O |
O |
X |
X |
O |
|
X |
|
|
6. General resources |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- food (gen stocks) |
|
O |
X |
X |
X |
|
X |
X |
|
|
- non-food |
O |
O |
O |
X |
X |
O |
?O |
X |
|
7. Personnel* |
|
O |
O |
X |
X |
|
?O |
X |
|
|
8. Information |
|
O |
O |
X |
X |
|
O |
X |
|
Adequate O
Mixed X Problem
Don t know, but
probably adequate?X Don t know, but probably inadequate* This refers to both adequate presence and training of NGOs and local staff where security allows
