Famine continues to run rapid in Isingiro District!

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“I am buying a second belt for my stomach in addition to the one for my trousers” says a man in Isingiro, in the district that is hunger stricken, famine and drought.

Isingiro District Veterinary Officer Dr Bruhan Kasozi told a radio that the district is currently experiencing what could be its worst dry spell in a decade.

The continued reports of famine and draught in Isingiro District happens and the Government tries to react, but with very little effect. The relief is mediocre at best, not even well-prepared even as the draught has been steady since mid-year in 2015. The Livestock and water issue is rising, there been reported that 8 kids has lost their life during the recent week because of the starvation. This is the people of district that is in the hands of government doesn’t have effort, will or care to really change the pattern of the famine in Isingiro District. Here is what I collected of the continued situation. Something that is not what it’s supposed to be, the Police still over-react in the nation as even Local Councillors are detained for opening a Livestock market in the needs in the district.

This is happening as the State Minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness Hon. Musa Ecweru said: “The hunger situation in the country is serious especially in the cattle corridor. We are starting the relief program from Isingiro district because of the magnitude of the problem” (NBS TV Uganda, 01.11.2016).

“The State minister for relief and disaster preparedness, Musa Ecweru, is calling for serious interventions to tame adverse weather conditions causing calamities in the country. The minster said this Yesterday while in Isingiro district where he was distributing food relief items to residents hit by famine due to the long drought” (91.2 Crooze FM, 05.11.2016).

As the reported deliver on the 4th November after months of draught and famine, was this:

“In Isingiro District where famine rages on, government has delivered food aid, each recipient got at least one cupful of flour and beans. There are reports that a number of people and animals have died of starvation” (NBS TV Uganda, 04.11.2016).

Like again on the 5th November the LC2 Chairperson of Kayonza Parish in Isingiro District. Here the locals lined up for more posho and beans… to fill their cups of starving tummies in the parish.

Detained for opening the Livestock market:

The chairman LC 5 for Isingiro district has been arrested and put to prison after attempting to reopen the animal markets that were closed down by the government following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. He’s been arrested under the orders of the area RDC Mr Herbert Muhangi citing defiance of the district leader. The chairman Kamurari Jeremiah Birungi has been planning to reopen the markets and has been informing the public that today Thursday is the day to operationlise the markets regardless of the central government’s directive and the quarantine. He was found in Endiinzi sub county where he had gone to open the market” (OMO Blaze Media House, 03.11.2016).

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Preparation from the Iqra Foundation:

“Asalam alaykum brothers and sisters preparations for for Isingiro district relief in progress areas to be visted are saa no 260, Rukungiri 278, Mbale 334, Kashariira 270, Mule mâ 480 ….families thanks to Mr Amin from Kotecha family Eng Fahir , Beejay,Fred Kafooko etc now at Iqra foundation mbarara mosque with 20 tones maize flower and 3.5 sugar please send more we are leaving tomorrow at 7 am may Allah the Almighty bless you all”.

Good Donations:

Muslims in Western Uganda have extended relief to several families in Bukanga County – one of the most drought-hit areas. It`s addition to donations coming from various humanitarian organizations. Among the food items, were posho flour, rice and sugar, handed to some 1,700 households” (Urban Television, 07.11.2016).

And you know the draught is serious when the prices of Jerry-cans of water cost up to 1, 500 shillings. Before the draught the price of water in Jerry-cans cost about 200 or 300 shillings. So this proves that the starving and lack of water is striking the prices of the necessary. The biggest delivery are from a NGO and not the Government. So the Iqra Foundation is doing much more than the State, which is really the epitome of this Administration under President Museveni who is reckless policy on his own behalf. This is as the Second Minister Kibazanga

“The nation’s northeastern Karamoja region is the worst hit with two in three people having access to only half a meal or less per day, Christopher Kibazanga, minister of state for agriculture, said in an e-mailed statement from the capital, Kampala. Teso sub-region and the western district of Isingiro are also badly affected” (…) “There is fear if individuals and families do not manage the available food stocks at household levels well, the situation can quickly deteriorate to the emergency and famine stages of food insecurity within the next two months,” Kibazanga said” (Ojambo, 2016).

So the Ministers Kibanzanga and Ecweru are saying that this is serious business and how hard the area is hit. Still, the deliverance of emergency relief has been meagre from the government as even Local Councillor has complained at the rate; still the good news is that the Muslim relief has come. This is coming as the lack of rain and continues draught at the area. Prices of livestock have fallen and the price of water from the Jerry-Cans has gone up 5 times recently.

More on the Livestock market:

“According to Kangwagye, once the livestock markets are reopened people would easily sell of their animals and get money to meet their other needs. Kangwagye told URN that he intends to join other leaders to ensure the livestock markets are reopened. Kangwagye’s statements come a day after Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries Minister; Vincent Bamulangaki Sempijja accused Isingiro leaders of undermining the livestock quarantine. On Saturday, Sempijja accused the local authorities for politicizing the livestock quarantine, which compromises efforts by Ministry to eliminate the foot and mouth disease from Isingiro district. According to Sempijja, instead of backing the quarantine, politicians in Isingiro district are mobilizing livestock farmers to reopen the closed livestock markets. The Animal Diseases Act only mandates the Commissioner in Charge of Animal Health to lift quarantine. Any person who defies the quarantine faces a fine of Shillings 2 million or 2 years in prison or both” (100.4 Hills FM Kabale, 07.11.2016).

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So the continues hunger and issues are coming to the surface as the Livestock issue is not stopping, the management and administration from the government is really weak. Therefore the Ministers are even criticising their government response to draught and deaths in the districts.

What is striking is how the Ugandan People through help is now starting to donate money to get food for the Isingiro, both Muslims and Christian NGOs are doing and planning to deliver food to the needy. The interesting is that the NGOs are giving more than the Government. The report of one cup of Beans and Posho is really not a real relief in the midst of a famine and draught that lasts months on end.

The ends have to come and the state has to deliver, also show plans of progression, if not to talk about new plans of collecting water and serving these communities; which should be priority, this problem where even there when the President and his team went on campaigns in the district.

So the reality is bleak and what is worse is all the men and woman, even kids are starving because of the continued draught. The Famine has to be sorted and the Government actually act responsible to the citizens of the district.

Peace.

Reference:

Ojambo, Fred – ‘Uganda Says 1.3 Million People Are Facing Hunger Due to Drought’ (04.11.2016) link:   http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-04/uganda-says-1-3-million-people-are-facing-hunger-due-to-drought

Clinton Foundation leaks: Phantom aid to Ethiopia

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We can all question the Clinton Foundation and the CHAI works in Ethiopia, especially after the reason for the visits in Ethiopia. By the memo of 2011 with Sheik Mommad of Midme in Ethiopia, if Bill Clinton would visit Ethiopia than the CF would get $2US Million from him; that doesn’t sound like a donor aid, but greased politician for their foundation. Not something that you should expect from a man of the Stature of Clinton’s. This is insulting, and the next levels of how the continue, when you look into it isn’t what it it’s all perceives.

CHAI would like to request that President Clinton call Sheik Mohammed to thank him for offering his plane to the conference in Ethiopia and expressing regrets that President Clinton’s schedule does not permit him to attend the conference. Ed Wood has prepared a briefing memo for President Clinton about the call which is attached. Please contact either Ed or me if you have any questions or if you need anything else from us” [Ira Magaziner to John Podesta – ‘Subject: FW: Talking points for President Clinton and the Sheik’ 22.11.2011].

After that one fellow staffer answers it with:

“Unless Sheikh Mo has sent us a $6 million check, this sounds crazy to do” [Adesai to a group of Clinton Foundation Mails – ‘Subject: FW: Talking points for President Clinton and the Sheik’ 22nd November 2011].

So after the agreement between the Sheik, that he sends money every-time Bill Clinton travels to Ethiopia. With that kind of suction to the Midme leader, he is still not allowed to travel to their Conference months after the agreement between Bill and the Sheik. Proves that only “Pay to Play” if the Sheik had paid another fortune of $6 US Million to the CF, than he be included at the Conference, which is not how it is supposed to be, but the CF Staff acts like its normal to ask for this kind of bribe.

Proven results of Work in Ethiopia and beyond:

“I’m sensitive to that (which is why I’m asking) but those CHAI Stats are on nearly every public listing of CF accomplishment. I’m want to make people think twice about calls for dropping grants to CF or return the money and the HIV/AIDS work hits home in a way that other stats don’t. Plus it’s international work. I’m concerned about saying we used money to fund healthy schools (because we didn’t use the funding for that)” [Craig Minassian to Tina Flournoy – ‘Subject: Re: WaPo – Draft Quote’ 25th February 2015].

This here just shows that the importance of the projects in Ethiopia wasn’t on building resilience towards HIV-AIDS or healthy schools as the Clinton Foundation and staffs doesn’t feel secure of showing the numbers that they have delivered to the numbers they have professed to change before. That is a worrying Foundation, Humanitarian Organization or even Aid Organization that should deliver some results; the results seem to be more important that the Foundation secure funding from the Sheik, than delivering results. Peace

A Refugee From Sudan Tells His Harrowing Story For The First Time (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuhAaTdhjFk

FAO’s Situation Report on South Sudan (24.10.2016)

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EU support helps Somalis share experience on Post-War School Curriculum (25.10.2016)

somalia-25-10-2016

Riek Machar talks to NBS LiveAt9 live from South Africa (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW0CZLj4u24

“Riek Machar : “I came for a medical checkup after I was nearly assassinated. I am fit. After the collapse of the peace agreement, war is raging in South Sudan. It is intensifying. We are only defending ourselves when we were attacked in Juba. We didn’t start this war  are waging a war of resistance against the regime for our own survival. We also want resolution of the war  I am free to return in South Sudan whenever I can. No one can stop me. They don’t control me. Transitional govt of national unity needs to be formed again. Juba govt is no longer implementing original deal  the peace agreement was forced by IGAD. It has failed. We need a new solution” (NBS TV Uganda, 2016)

Dadaab, Kenya: Return of Refugees to Somalia in Current Conditions ‘Inhumane and Irresponsible’ (13.10.2016)

Dadaab Refugee Camp

NAIROBI, Kenya, October 13, 2016 – As the announced closure of the world’s largest refugee camp draws closer, and thousands begin the return to war-ravaged Somalia,[1] Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is calling for other alternatives to be urgently considered by the Government of Kenya and the UNHCR, supported by donor countries.

In a report released today by MSF, ‘Dadaab to Somalia: Pushed Back Into Peril,’ more than eight out of ten refugees surveyed say they do not want to return, with the main concerns cited including fear of forced recruitment into armed groups, sexual violence and the non-availability of healthcare. [2]

In the report, MSF also highlights the severe medical consequences of such a massive return.

It is clear that refugee camps are not the best way to manage a protracted 25-year crisis but closing them now without offering other durable solutions pushes them back to a conflict zone, where medical care is dangerously absent,” says Bruno Jochum, MSF General Director. “This decision is yet another blight on refugee protection globally, where again we see total failure in providing safe haven for people in danger. The UN itself has recently declared that five million are at risk of hunger inside Somalia. Sending back even more people to suffer is both inhumane and irresponsible.”

Somalia: an acute lack of medical care
In Dagahaley, one of the five camps which make up Dadaab, MSF medical teams have seen children arriving from Somalia having not been vaccinated against a range of preventable diseases, a telling indication of a health system torn apart by more than two decades of war where even basic care is barely existent. Pregnant women will have minimal care, putting their own lives and their unborn babies under threat. People with chronic medical conditions are also at risk – whether they are diabetics who need life-saving insulin, or people with hypertension who need ongoing treatment.

Additionally, mental health patients are in danger. In Dagahaley, 70% of MSF’s mental health patients are on medication. “If a patient with psychosis is forced to come off their medication, their cognitive function and behaviour development goes into reverse. Stuck in a country where mental health services are basically non-existent would put their lives in severe jeopardy,” says Liesbeth Aelbrecht, Head of Mission for MSF in Kenya.

A call to Kenya, the UNHCR and donor countries: other solutions urgently required
Eighty-six percent of surveyed refugees in Dagahaley do not want to go back to Somalia. Fears around insecurity were acute with nearly all – males and females – stating that the risk of sexual violence is high. MSF is therefore questioning the ‘voluntary’ nature of the returns that the UNHCR is helping facilitate.

“The fears that the refugees tell us about are real,” says Aelbrecht. “It is crucial that any return is voluntary, and refugees must have all necessary information about the services and conditions which will meet them in Somalia.”

MSF reiterates that setting up Dadaab style camps across the border is shifting responsibility and abandoning the protection of refugees. Other more durable solutions, such as smaller camps in Kenya, increased resettlement to third countries, or integration of refugees into Kenyan communities, should be urgently considered. Additionally, MSF appeals to the international community to share the responsibility with the Government of Kenya.

“It is unacceptable that – without any other solution being offered – thousands are essentially being pushed back into conflict and acute crisis: the very conditions they fled,” concludes Aelbrecht.”Kenya should not shoulder this burden alone. Funding from donor countries needs to be directed to providing sustained assistance in the country of refuge, not to supporting what will essentially be a forced return to a warzone.”

MSF does not accept any government funding for its project in Dadaab – all funding is provided by private donors.

MSF first started working in Dadaab in 1992 and is currently the only provider of medical care in Dagahaley camp. Staff are working in the 100-bed hospital in Dagahaley camp and at two health posts, providing outpatient and mental health consultations, surgery, and antenatal, HIV and TB care. Overall in 2015, teams carried out 182,351 outpatient consultations and admitted 11,560 patients to the hospital.

[1] Some 30,000 refugees have returned to Somalia since a tripartite agreement on voluntary repatriation between the Governments of Kenya and Somalia and the UNHCR was signed in November 2013. The majority of these – 24,000 – have left during the course of 2016.

[2] To understand the refugees’ concerns and needs, in July and August 2016 MSF conducted a series of discussions and interviews, and a household survey, with refugees in Dagahaley camp about their current situation and the prospect of a return to Somalia. Focus group discussions involved 75 people (42 male and 33 female) in Dagahaley camp. Interviews were carried out with 31 people including patients, MSF incentive workers and community members. The survey polled 838 heads of households (53% male and 47% female) in Dagahaley camp, with households totalling 5,470 individuals.

Zimbabwe: More on Bond-notes as they are coming while the banks are cash-strapped as ever…

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This week there are reports that some banks are only delivering cash of the value of $30 and most of it is in coins, not even bank-notes.

There are reports of cash crisis in Bulawayo, where the businesses and corporations are only allowed to take out cash in the values $100-300 at the banks.

The release of Bond-Notes has not delivered strength or given the citizens of Zimbabwe any more power in trading or living standards. The release of Bond-Notes only happens given the government new excuses to buy fresh cars.

Justas there are now reports of the Zimbabwe Development Fund used by the ZANU-PF and their Youth League to hold sham demonstrations in March as a counter to the #ThisFlag and #NERADemos. That proves what development funds are used to. What will so the vitalizing of the economy with the Bond-Notes?

This economy is so in shambles that the government has been reported sold over 25,000 baby Elephants to the Chinese, also tried to get farmers to swap from Maize to Millet to cash in on export of the crop instead of feeding their own.

All of this is happening as the nepotism of the government continues with the President son-in-law Simba Chikore getting a noble position in the faltering, but still viable Air Zimbabwe.

While this is happening the ironic so-called or somewhat of cornerstone of journalism are reporting about suit selling hawker in Harare, than all the cash-strapped issue the Republic has. But hey, the BBC has surely written enough about the Kardashians this week.

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This has been official reported:

“Zimbabwe’s vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa has just undone weeks of careful PR by the beleaguered central bank chief by saying the about-to-be-introduced bond notes will be a currency, if a report by the official Herald newspaper is to be believed” (…) “The Herald quoted the vice president on Friday as saying: “We need a mode of transaction which we can control in the country on the basis of security provided by the [African Export-Import] Bank 200 million.” (…) “will be able to have a currency that circulates within its jurisdiction” (…) “When reporter Bernard Mpofu telephoned Mangudya, he was reportedly told that his questions “did not help anyone” (News24/AllAfrica.com, 07.10.2016).

So the borrowed monies, that will add on debt to the nation and most likely give the country more inflation as the county is already cash-strapped by the little cash given to the citizens from the banks.

Next up is the 2008 formula and make emergency notes with Trillion upon Trillion in value to seal the inflation and debt level made by the government.

The Robert Mugabe only cares about himself and keeping his power at this point. Therefore he pays of his men with cars and bigger bonuses while the others who are not needed by him are in long lines asking for breadcrumbs and little given to them. Nearly none, and not even given to them what they have worked for because the banks doesn’t even pay out the salaries or needed cash to pay of their rent and food. Peace.

Somalia: Some 1.1 million people are unable to meet their daily food requirements (07.10.2016)

Somalia Draught Quotes

Five million Somalis – more than 40 per cent of the country’s population – are food insecure, up by 300,000 from February 2016, according to the latest assessment by the FAO-managed Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET). Among them are 300,000 children under age 5 who are acutely malnourished and over 50,000 severely malnourished children.

The assessment indicates that the food and nutrition situation is not showing signs of abating. More than 1.1 million Somalis are unable to meet their daily food requirements, while another 3.9 million require livelihood support. An estimated 1.1 million internally displaced persons are among the most vulnerable groups. Nearly 58 per cent of acutely food insecure people are internally displaced people.

Poor Gu (April to June) rains, floods and trade disruption, coupled with displacements, contributed to a worsening of the food security situation. The 2016 Gu rains started late and ended earlier than usual in most regions. The flooding that affected riverine livelihoods and adjacent urban areas in parts of southern and central Somalia (Hiraan, Juba and Jowhar District of Middle Shabelle) during the Gu season, exacerbated the deterioration of food security in these areas, according to the FSNAU.

Efforts to reduce levels of vulnerabilities continue to be undermined by irregular weather patterns. However, cereal production has been good in some parts of Somaliland, particularly the western regions which has brought relief in crop growing areas that were affected by drought. Drought conditions continue in pastoral areas of Somaliland and Puntland. Poor rainfall in southern and central Somalia, the breadbasket of the country, has led to a reduction in cereal production by nearly half, compared to the long-term average, according to the FSNAU. Conflict and access constraints, including increased refugee returns have also compounded the situation in Somalia. Humanitarian partners continue to deliver assistance to save lives and strengthen resilience of Somalis.

Authorities appeal for urgent assistance for drought-affected people

Authorities in Lower Juba on 28 September appealed for urgent humanitarian intervention in areas near Afmadow, Badhadhe and Kismayo districts. These areas have limited humanitarian presence and have experienced poor Gu rains. Water and food were among priority needs highlighted by authorities. And in Puntland, authorities on 5 October declared a drought emergency and appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance due to worsening drought conditions.

Press release by UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

République Démocratique du Congo: Haut-Lomami, Haut-Katanga et Lualaba, Note d’informations humanitaires du 29 septembre 2016

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