In this issue
Implementing the Agenda for Humanity P.1
IGAD-SADC and conflict prevention P.2
The Great Lakes Pact and Rule of Law P.3
Domesticating the Kampala Convention P.4
Burundi Humanitarian Hotline installed P.6
Launch of Humanitarian-Private Sector Platforms P.6
HoA Initiative: Financing Humanity P 7
KEY FIGURES
# of IDPs 11 m
# of refugees 3.4 m
# Severe food Insecure & malnourished in eastern Africa 20 m
# Food Insecure in southern Africa 32 m
Implementing the Agenda for Humanity in Southern and Eastern Africa
This month's regional bulletin highlights a few examples from the many progressive initiatives in the region, which if given the requisite political leadership and investment, will contribute to more effective, accountable humanitarian action, in line with the spirit of the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS).
The Summit scheduled for 23-24 May in Turkey, will for the first time, offer an opportunity for leaders from Governments, aid organizations, crisis-affected communities, private sector and academia to take stock of their strengths and challenges in humanitarian and development actions, and reaffirm their commitment to take action to prevent and end suffering, reduce the impact of future crises and transform financing to save lives.
The humanitarian situation in the eastern and southern Africa region has in the last six months significantly deteriorated as a result of continuing climatic and economic shocks and an increasing level of conflict. The global El Niño event has had a significant impact in southern Africa, parts of Sudan, Djibouti, north Somalia and northeastern parts of Ethiopia.
According to the Food and Nutrition Security Working Group, the number of people suffering from severe (crisis and emergency – IPC Phases 3 & 4) food insecurity and malnutrition in eastern Africa has increased from 18.2 million to 19.49 million; while in southern Africa an estimated 31.6m people remain food insecure.
An upsurge in violence continues to be reported in parts of Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and Burundi. Economic shocks, including the decline of global oil prices and increasing food prices, has exacerbated existing chronic vulnerabilities. Protection of civilians is a serious issue in eastern Africa; host to an estimated 3.4 million refugees and 11 million IDPs. Compounding the dire humanitarian situation is the increasing funding shortfall.
A recurring theme during the regional WHS consultations is the need for humanitarian and development actors at all levels - local, national, regional and international - to recommit to deliver effectively and innovatively on the existing agendas for reform and transformation.
The region is fraught with structures and frameworks suitable for prevention of crises, which if politically and adequately enabled will engender peace, security and development, and empower affected people and governments to take up their rightful position as responders and duty bearers.
The WHS regional consultations are premised upon the Agenda for Humanity; a global framework for action, change and accountability, published by the Secretary - General Ban Ki-moon in February 2016. It has five core responsibilities for which we must take collective action for a shared and truly global humanitarianism.