CENTRAL AND EASTERN AFRICA: IRIN weekly humanitarian round-up 711 29 November 2013

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

Table of contents 1. Briefing: How to stop a deadly fungus affecting billions 2. When fear of being criminalized locks out healthcare 3. Malaria cases soar in former DRC rebel stronghold 4. Religious violence and the seeds of hate in CAR 5. Is Africa ready for GM? 6. The climate loss and damage mechanism: whys and why nots?* Briefing: How to stop a deadly fungus affecting billions NAIROBI, 25 November 2013 (IRIN) - The UN World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that billions of people in the developing world are chronically exposed to aflatoxin, a natural poison on food crops which causes cancer, impairs the immune system, inhibits growth, and causes liver disease as well as death in both humans and animals. Read report online When fear of being criminalized locks out healthcare NEW YORK, 26 November 2013 (IRIN) - Drug users will avoid a needle exchange programme if they spot a police car cruising nearby, and sex workers will readily toss their condoms in the trash if they risk getting arrested for soliciting. Around the world, the most marginalized groups in society - from Roma to HIV-positive people to sex workers to drug users - are reluctant to access basic health services because they fear arrest, intimidation and harassment. Read report online Malaria cases soar in former DRC rebel stronghold KINSHASA, 27 November 2013 (IRIN) - There has been a threefold increase in the number of malaria cases recorded in the former M23 rebel stronghold of Rutshuru, in the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) North Kivu Province, compared to past years. Insecurity is exacerbating the spread of the disease, say health officials. Read report online Religious violence and the seeds of hate in CAR BOSSANGOA, 27 November 2013 (IRIN) - Shocked by an escalation of killings, rapes and other abuses committed by Muslims against Christians, and vice versa, in the Central African Republic (CAR), leading clerics from both faiths recently travelled together to preach peace and listen to tales of horror. Read report online Is Africa ready for GM? KISUMU/KAMPALA, 27 November 2013 (IRIN) - Even as food insecurity continues to afflict impoverished and disaster-affected populations around the continent, African policymakers and consumers remain deeply divided over the potential harms and benefits of genetically modified (GM) foods, which advocates say could greatly improve yields and nutrition. Read report online The climate loss and damage mechanism: whys and why nots?* JOHANNESBURG, 28 November 2013 (IRIN) - For poor countries "loss and damage" incurred as a result of a changing climate - with citizens being forced to relocate, give up on their land, cultural identity and their right to human dignity - are crucial issues. Read report online

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