Fwd: CENTRAL AND EASTERN AFRICA: IRIN weekly humanitarian round-up 679 19 April 2013

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

Table of contents 1. UN makes "aggressive" push to reduce child mortality 2. Uneven progress on child stunting in East and Central Africa 3. Briefing: Somalia, federalism and Jubaland 4. Lifeline to "climate refugees"? 5. For women, urbanization is a mixed bag 6. In Brief: Major price cut for five-in-one vaccine 7. In Kenya, technology revolutionizes TB management 8. Renewed fighting worsens Darfur crisis UN makes "aggressive" push to reduce child mortality LONDON, 15 April 2013 (IRIN) - The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched their Global Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhoea, which aims to end preventable child deaths from these conditions by 2025. The launch was supported by the publication of a series of articles in the medical journal The Lancet showing that the tools to accomplish this goal already exist, and that the targets should be achievable at a reasonable cost. Read report online Uneven progress on child stunting in East and Central Africa NAIROBI, 16 April 2013 (IRIN) - Improvements in nutrition and stronger government policies have led to a decline in childhood stunting, according to a new report on child nutrition. However, the condition continues to affect some 165 million children under the age of five globally. Read report online Briefing: Somalia, federalism and Jubaland NAIROBI, 16 April 2013 (IRIN) - Moves to bring three regions in the deep south of Somalia together into the state of Jubaland have turned into a tussle with the central government, with regional powerhouses Kenya and Ethiopia playing important roles. Read report online Lifeline to "climate refugees"? JOHANNESBURG, 17 April 2013 (IRIN) - The international community has steadfastly dodged the issue of recognition and protection for "climate refugees" - people forced to relocate to another country as a result of the risks and hazards of a changing climate. Now, the first global initiative to address humanitarian options is underway, with discussions focusing on the Pacific Ocean states to take place soon. Read report online For women, urbanization is a mixed bag NAIROBI, 17 April 2013 (IRIN) - Countries across Africa are experiencing unprecedented urban growth, presenting women with greater economic and social opportunities as well as greater risks to their safety and welfare. Read report online In Brief: Major price cut for five-in-one vaccine NAIROBI, 18 April 2013 (IRIN) - The cost of vaccinating children with the pentavalent vaccine - a five-in-one formulation - is set to drop significantly following a deal between the GAVI Alliance and an Indian drug manufacturer that is reducing its price by 30 percent. Read report online In Kenya, technology revolutionizes TB management NAIROBI, 18 April 2013 (IRIN) - The use of technology is revolutionizing the way Kenya manages tuberculosis (TB). Through a computer- and mobile-phone based programme called TIBU, health facilities are able to request TB drugs in real-time and manage TB patient data more effectively, health officials say. They also use the platform to carry out health education. Read report online Renewed fighting worsens Darfur crisis NAIROBI, 19 April 2013 (IRIN) - A recent spate of violence in Sudan's western region of Darfur has left tens of thousands displaced; humanitarian agencies say they are struggling to access populations in need of support. Read report online

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]