Sudan Troubles Spill Into Chad
Action Against Hunger looks to start mission there

Paris Match last week called the war in the Sudan a forgotten one. South Sudan was ravaged for decades by a war between Muslims and Christians that is now coming to a close. A different battle is brewing in the west, however, between different Arab tribes. This war in the Darfur Province is sending thousands of refugees into the Republic of Chad. In response, Action Against Hunger is eyeing a mission there.

Between 400 and 500 refugees cross the border into Chad each day, according to Paris Match. Not knowing where to go, the refugees commune in makeshift camps in the desert. The refugees are tracked by the janjawids, a militia of horseman consigned by the Sudan government. Their "salary" consists mostly of the spoils from pillaging and looting villages and camps. Roger Persichino, desk officer for Action Against Hunger recently returned from Chad, where he saw the growing humanitarian crisis on hand.

The former head of mission of South Sudan and Uganda, Persichino said between 30,000 and 60,000 refugees had entered Chad as of September 2003. With the addition of these refugees to the Chad population, there are worries about food security, with crops not being able to sustain people and cattle. There is also fear of a water shortage.

Though the United Nations reacted to the crisis in December by sending a team, Persichino said only one camp was erected -- woefully inadequate. "We don't believe camps will have the capacity to hold more than 5,000 refugees," explained Persichino, who also has humanitarian experience in Zimbabwe, Chechnya, Ivory Coast and Afghanistan.

Action Against Hunger hopes to create refugee camps in Chad before the "hunger gap" gets into full swing. The gap, which lasts from the last of one crop to the start of another, typically lasts from May to August, and overall trends indicate that the hunger gap will hit harder in 2004 than in years before.

Get the full story at Action Against Hunger

Bird Flu Attacks Asia's Poor
UN Says epidemic is wrecking farmers lives

The bird flu epidemic responsible for killing at least 22 people in Asia as well as prompting the slaughter of millions of chickens and ducks is ruining the lives of already poor poultry farmers.

Bird flu has forced governments across the region to order the culls of more than 80 million chickens and other fowl. The enforced measures could put an end to the meager livelihoods of thousands of small poultry farmers across the region, reported Radio Free Asia.

Vietnam could be in the worst position. Fifteen people have died of bird flu there, and the country is facing an acute economic shock from the disease. The World Bank estimated last week that Vietnamese poultry culls around the Lunar New Year celebrations -- which usually involve the consumption of chicken -- could cost the country U.S.$690 million in losses.

Jacques Diouf, director- general of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said the economic disaster caused by the bird flu epidemic reinforces the need for sustainable agricultural practices and healthful farming systems that would improve food security and safety.

Get the full story at Radio Free Asia

2004 National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference
FRAC hosts annual event in Washington, D.C.

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) kicked off its National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference yesterday. The joint conference will bring together advocates from anti-hunger, food bank, child care, direct service, human needs, religious, children's, immigrant, health, education, and other groups from across the nation. This year's program will include workshops, plenaries, legislative briefings, strategy sessions, receptions and meetings with federal and state officials, according to the group.

The event -- slated to last until Feb. 24 -- is jointly sponsored by FRAC and America's Second Harvest, in cooperation with National CACFP Forum and Commodity Supplemental Food Program Association.

Learn more about the event at FRAC