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West Africa: Humanitarian situation report - Jun 2007

Countries
Benin
+ 14 more
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS

- Epidemics (cholera and meningitis) caused more than 2 300 deaths between January and June 2007; however, the funds received to date to respond to these epidemics have been insufficient.

- Floods pose a real problem of protection to affected population populations. The victims of the 2006 floods still need humanitarian assistance. There is thus need to integrate the preparation to respond to floodings in the CAP mid-year review.

- The security situation continues to deteriorate in northern Niger, causing humanitarian agencies to restrict their movements in this area.

1- SOCIO-POLITICAL AND SECURITY SITUATION

Guinea

From 24 to 27 May 2007, the Government of Guinea organised a meeting in order to define strategies aimed at improving the country's political, economic and social situation. The meeting ended with the adoption of a three-year programme to improve the macro-economic situation and the access to public utilities such as water, electricity and telecommunications. Humanitarian partners in the regions of Conakry, Labé, Kindia, Kankan and Nzérékoré continue to be confronted with security and protection problems.

Niger

The security situation in northern Niger is still of concern to the populations living in this area. Armed robberies and clashes between elements of the MNJ (Movement for Justice in Niger) and government soldiers are still reported. In reaction to the deteriorating security situation, the humanitarian organisations have restricted their movements in this area.

Following the appointment of a new Prime Minister (3rd June 2007), the political situation has become relatively calm. However, the opposition parties and civil society are said to have stated their disappointment about the choice of the new Prime Minister considered as close to his predecessor. In an interview with the press on 7 June 2007, the new Prime Minister declared that the priorities on which his Government shall focus relate to the rapid resolution of the crisis in the education sector, curbing the insecurity in the north of the country and preparing for the next farming season.

Mali

After Siby I and II, Kita, Fana and Gao, the Peoples' Forum, commonly known as the Anti-Globalisation Movement was held in Sikasso (southern Mali), from 4 to 7 June 2007. The forum convened at the same time as the G8 summit, held in Germany, on 6, 7 and 8 June 2007. Some 800 participants from Mali and other countries of the sub-region, (notably Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, and Togo) took part in this meeting. A large number of topics were discussed in Sikasso: debt, agricultural policy, land conflicts, food security, the introduction of GMO in poor countries, the African economy and neo-liberal globalisation, the creation of a South Bank to replace the World Bank, the Cotonou Accord, emigration, etc.

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