Environmental Disaster & Displacement News

"Somali Refugees Fight Cholera And Measles as Hunger Spreads"

"Outbreaks of measles and cholera are striking down Somali children already weakened by hunger, resulting in dozens of new fatalities. News of the fast-spreading diseases has caused alarm among aid workers, who are struggling to deal with the humanitarian crisis brought on by the severe drought and conflict in Somalia.

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled into overflowing refugee camps in recent months in search of food and sanctuary, but many more remain in rebel-held famine zones where aid agencies have only limited access.

The World Health Organisation said on Friday that Somalia was experiencing a cholera epidemic. Linked to dirty water, poor sanitation and crowded settlements, the intestinal infection causes dehydration and is often fatal."

Xan Rice reports for the Guardian August 13, 2011.

"World Bank Calls Horn of Africa Famine Manmade"

"The famine in the Horn of Africa is manmade - the result of artificially high prices for food and civil conflict, the World Bank's lead economist for Kenya Wolfgang Fengler told Reuters Tuesday."

"WFP Expands Relief Work in Famine-Hit Somalia"

"MOGADISHU -- The World Food Program said Saturday that it is expanding its food distribution efforts in famine-struck Somalia, where the U.N. estimates that only 20 percent of people needing aid are getting it. Some of those from the outlying regions have walked for days to the capital for help, only for it to be too late.

"Somalia Wants Humanitarian Force To Guard Food Convoys"

"MOGADISHU -- Somalia called on Saturday for the creation of a new force to protect food aid convoys and camps in the famine-hit country, and declared a state of emergency in parts of Mogadishu." Ibrahim Mohamed reports for Reuters August 13, 2011.

"Nations Fall Short in Helping 12.4M Africans in Drought-Caused Famine"

"Warning that famine in Somalia is likely to get worse before it gets better, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton yesterday pledged an additional $17 million in U.S. aid to East African countries racked by the worst drought in 60 years.

"Film on Climate Refugees Strikes a Chord"

"During the shooting of his 2010 documentary “Climate Refugees,” the Irish-American filmmaker Michael Nash visited nearly 50 countries in about 18 months, interviewing politicians, scientists, health workers and victims of floods, cyclones, hurricanes and droughts.

"UN Says Cholera Epidemic in Somalia"

"GENEVA — World Health Organization officials said Friday that famine-hit Somalia faces a cholera epidemic as dirty water and poor sanitation are leading to an increase in outbreaks of the disease.