Somalia: UN Relief Official Cautions Against Complacency On Food Security

The top United Nations relief official in Somalia today announced that the number of people in crisis in the Horn of Africa country was halved in the past six months, but cautioned that the situation remains fragile and that the gains could reverse without continued support to meet people's basic needs. "Our innovative approaches to aid delivery, coupled with relatively favourable rains, has made a profound difference in the lives of people," acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia Stefano Porretti said today in a statement, citing recent data on food security from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network. However Mr. Porretti, who is also the WFP Representative in Somalia, noted that "this is not the time to be complacent.”

Aid urged for Syrian refugees

Representatives from more than 60 countries will meet in Kuwait for a conference on the humanitarian crisis in Syria. The United Nations estimates that more than 700,000 refugees have fled to neighbouring nations. Another two million have been displaced by the 22-month-long conflict or are in need of food and medicine.

Michael Kors Partners With UN Hunger Initiative

Michael Kors has partnered with the United Nations on a long-term fundraising project to help tackle world hunger. The designer has joined the UN World Food Programme which aims to provide assistance and sustenance to those in need, particularly mothers and children. (..) Kors plans to raise money and awareness of the programme through a series of campaigns and events - starting with the launch of two unisex watches in March, under the slogan: "Watch Hunger Stop". Each watch sold will allow for 100 children to be fed through the initiative.

Mali: UN gears up to assist possible return of thousands of displaced people

The United Nations refugee agency today announced it is urgently preparing for a possible spontaneous return of thousands of conflict-displaced people in northern Mali, where ongoing insecurity is hampering some 380,000 from returning home. (..) The World Food Programme (WFP) announced today that it completed food distributions to 22,000 IDPs in Mopti and 12,000 IDPs in the capital city of Bamako. The distributions had been postponed following the outbreak of fighting and military intervention. Rapid analyses of the food security situation in other affected areas are underway.