The growing food crisis provoked by drought in the Sahel is affecting millions of people. This crisis has been deepened by the conflict in Mali, sparked by the proliferation of arms from Libya in the wake of the fall of Colonel Gadhafi. Some 200,000 Malians have fled from the fighting, which engulfed the whole of Northern Mali from January to March this year. This situation of 'drought + conflict' is providing some harrowing evidence... Read more

Eastern Congo is supposed to be at peace. But life for civilians in Mweso health zone, Masisi territory, North Kivu, is anything but peaceful. Although a peace agreement was signed three years ago, ongoing instability, violence, a worsening humanitarian situation and festering ethnic tensions continue to make life precarious for civilians. The lush, green fertile valleys, punctuated by farmed land that resembles neat patchwork... Read more

Somalia has gone through periods of being ignored by the international community and then subjected to intense interference. In the absence of a functioning national government for two decades, Somalis have tried various ways to organise the country. But sadly, so far these efforts have been overshadowed by conflict and power struggles at the national level, in which the interests of most Somalis have been disregarded. On top of... Read more

There are many silver bullets currently being offered in East Africa to prevent the current crisis from happening again: DRR, irrigated agriculture, reduction in grain prices, better early warning, contingency planning, conflict resolution, cutting green house gas emissions. Obviously the roots of the Somalia crisis - the inability to establish a government and ensure stability - must not be overshadowed.  However of the 13... Read more