UN: Three Areas of Somalia Have Emerged from Famine
The United Nations (UN) has reported that three areas in Somalia are no longer suffering from the famine as a result of scaled-up relief delivery,but warned that the situation remains critical for millions of people in the Horn of Africa.
The UN Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit for Somalia said that the situation had improved in the affected areas in the southern regions of Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle and they are no longer considered famine zones.
However, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mike Bowden, warns that improvements can only be sustained if the current level of humanitarian assistance continues.
UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said: “Famine persists in parts of the Middle Shabelle region and in the areas hosting internally displaced people in Mogadishu and along the Afgooye corridor. Malnutrition and mortality rates in many parts of southern Somalia continue to be the highest in the world. Bowden says that if humanitarian activities are interrupted or reduced in southern Somalia, many areas will fall back into famine.”
Colombian President Criticizes Developed Countries in Turkey
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, who officially visits Turkey, criticized on Friday developed countries for the mess of their finances and hold them responsible for the monetary crisis that threatens the world.
Santos recalled that a decade ago the so called first world nations enjoined the Latin American discipline on tax issues, while they were unable to be consistent with their own words.
Put your house in order because the disorder affects us, claimed Santos, who compliments the first official visit by a Colombian president to Ankara, in order to mark the opening of the Colombian embassy in the country.
Santos’s trip to Turkey is within the framework of strengthening economic ties with the so-called emerging nations.
In this sense, he said that the best way to guard against a possible crisis in the developed countries is greater interdependence.
Recent Clashes Kill 22 in Egypt
Clashes between riot police and protesters continued on Monday for the third consecutive day at Tahrir Square and its surroundings in the capital, with 22 dead and more than 1,700 people injured.
Although the emblematic square at midday had fewer people than in previous days, some 3,000 protesters were entrenched and challenging the riot police which sporadically fired tear gas, causing stampedes.
The focus of greatest tension concentrated on one street south of Tahrir Square leading to the Interior Ministry headquarters, an agency heavily guarded by armed police cordons and armored vehicles.
The clashes were resumed in the vicinity of the ministry, while the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (CSFA) justified the police deployment on Sunday and the violent attack in the Tahrir Square as a move to protect the government body.
The CSFA has ordered an investigation on the fatalities confirmed by the Health Ministry, but defended the police action and said it has no interest in clinging to power while declining to give dates to accomplish the democratic transfer.
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