HORN OF AFRICA: IRIN weekly humanitarian round-up 669 8 February 2013

	humanitarian news and analysis a service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Table of contents 1. Landmine danger persists in Somalia 2. With increased security, healthcare improves in Somalia 3. Linking Ethiopia's bean farmers to formal markets 4. Will more trees cause more rain? Landmine danger persists in Somalia MOGADISHU, 1 February 2013 (IRIN) - Thousands of landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO) scattered in parts of Somalia over past decades of conflict are emerging as a threat to the relative security now being enjoyed there, with inadequate demining expertise posing a challenge, say officials. Read report online With increased security, healthcare improves in Somalia NAIROBI, 5 February 2013 (IRIN) - With security improved following the retreat of Al-Shabab insurgents from urban areas of south and central Somalia, aid agencies have increased health services and expanded emergency healthcare, reaching previously inaccessible areas. Read report online Linking Ethiopia's bean farmers to formal markets ADDIS ABABA, 6 February 2013 (IRIN) - Over the years, small-scale farmers growing white pea beans in Ethiopia have sold their produce through the informal market, relying largely on middlemen who dictate prices and walk away with huge profits, often leaving the farmers in poverty. Read report online Will more trees cause more rain? JOHANNESBURG, 8 February 2013 (IRIN) - It is commonly believed that destroying trees will influence the climate of a region. But scientific evidence to support that deforestation and afforestation influence local climate - affecting temperature and rainfall - has only just started emerging. Read report online