World News, Africa

South Sudanese refugees update: MSF calls for special mobilization

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International, an organization providing medical aid to South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia since January this year, says the emergency situation of the refugees calls for special mobilizations of South Sudanese refugees.

Describing the situation, Antoine Foucher, MSF’s head of mission in Ethiopia, said since the conflict in South Sudan broke out in December, an average of 1,000 people have been arriving daily in Ethiopia’s Gambella region. However, that average only partially reflects massive inflows of between 10,000 and 15,000 people per day, for example, as occurred after the battle of Nasir in Jonglei state. There are more than 130,000 South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia today. According to an HCR estimate, that number could reach 350,000 by the end of the year.

World News, Africa

Drought likely in the Horn as famine threatens South Sudan and Somalia

Kalkidan Yibeltal

Greater part of the Horn is likely to experience a considerable moisture deficit, according to a recent climatic early warning report on rainfall irregularity issued by the Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS) of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The report, which is based on satellite-derived observations, states that the 2014 rainy season has deviated from normal patterns since January: a typical rainfall occurred during the dry season as well as the rainy season saw above average rainfall in some areas and delayed onset in others. In the main agricultural areas of Kenya, Southern Ethiopia, Northern Tanzania and Somalia, a far below normal total culminated rainfall is expected leading the areas to a high risk of drought.