The Sahel has been briefly in the headlines these past few months because of the French intervention in Mali. But before there was a political crisis in Mali there was a region-wide humanitarian crisis. In many ways, the humanitarian crisis precipitated the political conflict that has befell Mali.
To help raise awareness about this other side the Sahel crisis, musicians David Guetta and Usher just contributed this song to the UN’s humanitarian efforts. Learn More
![Food Security and Minimizing Postharvest Loss
On February 19, the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs along with the Office of Global Food Security and the Foreign Service Institute will host the conference “Food Security and Minimizing Postharvest Loss.” Government officials, representatives from the private sector, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and foreign diplomatic corps will discuss the issue of postharvest loss, focusing on Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. [Read More]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/a895718ad981dcb1b2c7c33158950123/tumblr_mi82onfNEN1r391tko1_250.jpg)
Food Security and Minimizing Postharvest Loss
On February 19, the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs along with the Office of Global Food Security and the Foreign Service Institute will host the conference “Food Security and Minimizing Postharvest Loss.” Government officials, representatives from the private sector, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and foreign diplomatic corps will discuss the issue of postharvest loss, focusing on Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. [Read More]
Finding a Lasting Solution to Instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo
On February 11, the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings hosted a conversation with Ambassador Johnnie Carson, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African affairs, on finding a lasting solution to instability in the DRC. Watch Video
Today is the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). An estimated 100 to 145 million women have undergone this brutal procedure, and about 3 million girls are at risk each year. Starting now, watch a live webcast of a panel of experts who will discuss successful efforts and solutions to address this issue. http://goo.gl/wX3xd
Although many good projects in agricultural development make one hopeful for the future in Malawi, the country does still have some emergency situations that need attention. Dry spells and prolonged drought have created serious food shortages in some areas of the country. In coordination with the Government of Malawi, other UN agencies, and NGOS, the World Food Program (WFP) is providing emergency assistance to almost two million people in the country.. Of course children are at highest risk, and need special help. In the photos you can see a Food Distribution Center at Salima, and a Community based Management for Acute Malnutrition project at Mangochi Hospital where malnourished children are checked-in, weighed, assessed and provided with the necessary care and supplemental feeding.
The school uniforms are similar to the ones worn by kids in Tanzania, but this pilot School Feeding program at the Ching’Ombe school in Malawi is different. It is particularly effective because it not only draws children to attend school with the promise of a meal, it also provides incomes to local farmers. Instead of providing the school with food, the Malawi Ministry of Education and the WFP give the school funds with which to buy their food from local farmers. The schools sign contracts with the local farmers’ organizations to supply specific quantities of fresh food, and they design a nutritious school menu according to what produce is availble. This reduces transportations and makes for fresher, tastier meals, as we were able to attest –the lunch of rice, vegetables and even meat looked really tasty, with a fresh mango for dessert. After just two weeks the head teacher at Ching’Ombe school reported a 10% increase in attendance as the children enjoyed the fresh meals. The farmers say they are “interested in selling good vegetables and are glad that we can sell them to the school and our kids will eat them.”
Only 4% of farmers in Malawi benefit from irrigation - that is why the refurbishing of the Linkangala irrigation scheme that Ambassador Lane visited is so important. The 5 kilometers of canals, dams and locks were originally built by the government of Malawi in 1964, but had fallen into disrepair. With funding from the International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Bank the canals are now back in working order. The scheme was managed and maintaned by the government, but now it will be handed over to a local Water Users’ Association. The effects of renewed irrigation are already being felt: the rice harvest at Linkangala is up to 3,000 kgs per hectare from 1,500. As one farmer told the Ambassador, “we are able to send our children to school, we have better houses, a television, and some of us even have motorbikes!”
"The United States welcomes adoption by the UN Security Council of a resolution on the situation in Mali. The resolution, cosponsored by the U.S., supports a comprehensive approach to addressing the overlapping governance, security, and humanitarian crises affecting Mali, which is an urgent priority of the United States."
The assistant secretary for African affairs says the United States backs the appointment of a special envoy for Mali and the United Nations work in Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and the eastern Congo. What are the priorities in Africa as you see them? More
"This Administration’s support for UN peacekeeping is deep, and builds on a strong, decades-long, bipartisan effort to improve these operations’ effectiveness. That support is rooted in the fact that peacekeeping is not a policy in itself, but rather a key tool to deliver on policy goals. UN missions deploy to promote lasting political settlements that can in turn bring a durable peace. They provide backing for those who agree to put down their guns and to support the rule of law."
Assessing U.S. Policy on Peacekeeping Operations in Africa
Assistant Secretary Brimmer Testifies Before the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Africa Subcommittee
September 13, 2012
Destruction of Muslim Shrines in Timbuktu
Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
The United States strongly condemns the destruction of Muslim shrines and other religious and historic sites in Timbuktu by Islamic militants, including Ansar al-Dine. We are outraged by the continued destruction of these World Heritage Sites and the ongoing intimidation of local populations. We join UNESCO in urging an immediate end to these destructive and irreversible acts and call for all parties to protect this invaluable cultural heritage for future generations. This is an assault not just on Mali but on the heritage of all Africans, and those responsible for these acts should be brought to justice.
We remain deeply concerned about the situation of the Malian people. Mali has been a strong partner of the United States in the areas of democracy and governance, economic development, and peace and security. We support the on-going efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union to bring about a return to civilian rule in Mali and to mediate a solution to the rebellion in the north. In addition, we appeal to all parties to ensure impartial and unhindered humanitarian access to any and all populations in northern Mali.
We strongly insist that all actors in Mali respect human rights and international humanitarian law. The people of Mali deserve to live in a secure environment free from fear and oppression where their universal human rights and fundamental freedoms – including the freedoms of religion and of expression – are protected and respected.
