Despite favourable weather conditions, food emergencies persist in the Great Lakes region due to conflicts, the Global Information and Early Warning System on food and agriculture (GIEWS) of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) announced in its most recent report. In the DRC, for example, while the food and nutrition situation of an estimated two million internally-displaced people (IDPs) is very serious, insecurity continues to hinder provision of humanitarian assistance. The report does, however, note some improvement in security conditions, allowing for resumption of commercial traffic between Kinshasa and Kisangani on the River Congo after three years of closure. Elsewhere in the Great Lakes region, increased insecurity in Burundi has displaced large numbers of rural people, disrupting food production and marketing activities, while in Rwanda the security situation remains “precarious in parts,” according to the report. To see the complete report, go to http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/faoinfo/economic/giews/english/eaf/eaf0108/httoc.htm
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