Salem-News.com Africa articles

Report Finds `Alarming` Rise in Global Hunger

Financial crisis and gender inequality worsen malnutrition.

(NEW YORK) - Underscoring the warning issued by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Program that hunger is worsening around the world, the 2009 Global Hunger Index (GHI) records “alarming” levels of hunger and malnutrition in 29 countries.

Released 14 October, the GHI is published each year by the international humanitarian agency Concern Worldwide, the German NGO Welt Hunger Hilfe, and the International Food Policy Research Institute.

Today Darfur

One girl, age 13 was gang raped by 7 men of the pro government militias – she later died as a result of the trauma, her parents could not get her to El Fasher for medical treatment.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - According to rebel groups in North Darfur, the Sudan Armed Forces have bombed and attacked the Jebel Mo area, northwest of Meilit in North Darfur. The spokesman of the faction of SLM-Abdelshafi said that planes flew over the area and were hitting targets in the Mo village. The attack was followed by a ground offensive by militias, explained Ahmed Fadul Abdallah of SLM-Abdelshafi – Radio Dabanga

Those who have reached El Fasher are speaking out, the Janjaweed and GoS (Government of Sudan) are brutally attacking and killing anyone caught between the villages and IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps.

Darfur, Are We Listening?

Please answer the voice of the displaced Darfuri, “I hear you; I will help you see justice!”

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Six years later, human atrocities; maiming, killing, rape, looting, 80+ percent of villages burned and destroyed and hundreds of thousands displaced both within and outside of Darfur.

We are spending millions on aid, numerous resources and time. A country that allows its own men, women, children, teachers, doctors to be exterminated in such a fashion will not stand against atrocities in other countries. If we choose to ignore this and walk away, than we are saying this is allowed, this is OK. Hitler watched the world forgot about the Armenians, he concluded they can and will forget about the Jews.

Itafari Foundation; Inspiring the Children of Rwanda (SLIDESHOW)

They want kids to realize their own empowerment to rebuild better lives.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Itafari Foundation is holding a VIRTUAL fundraiser on September 25-27 to raise money for the school we’re building; Kigali Secondary Parents School. For $75 you can buy a BRICK (itafari!) with your name or the name of a loved one on it which will be placed in the school in Rwanda.

Education is the key to ending poverty and hate; it also guides you through a world filled with choices. You can choose to make an extraordinary difference in the world and choose to make a lifelong difference in the life of a child - for $75. It can start slowly with something as simple as a brick.

Tackling Piracy at Sea Conference Set for Early December

The Tackling Piracy at Sea Conference happens at the Westbury Hotel, London, UK, 2nd and 3rd December 2009.

(LONDON) - Following on the successful event that took place in March 2009, organizers will again host the conference, Tackling Piracy at Sea, in London.

The group Ecoterra says that since international naval forces have been patrolling the Gulf of Aden, it has been hoped that piracy in the region will be curbed or cease altogether. "However, the problem has not gone away and indeed there is evidence that piracy attacks are increasing in other global regions," Ecoterra said in a statement.

Remembering 9/11

Sitting here with my husband we began to talk about where we were on 9/11...here is my story.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - I was in a small town called El Centro. We had gone there to work in an elementary school teaching young students to read.

Many of these children lived in terrible conditions, filthy with lice, parents who were abusive and neglectful. These parents were typically more concerned about their meth cooking than their children, often looking at them as their monthly pay check.

Kids for Kids Offers Help for Darfur & Sudan

Kids for Kids was founded in 2001, and is currently aiding over 250,000 people in 51 villages.

(CORVALLIS, Ore.) - Patricia Parker, MBE, Founder and CEO of Kids for Kids, will be visiting the Mid-Willamette Valley September 13-17, 2009.

Kids for Kids is an international organization, based in the United Kingdom, which helps villages in Darfur, Sudan, become viable and sustainable. Ms. Parker is well-known throughout the international community that has connections with Darfur, and has received many commendations and awards in the U.K.

Efforts Underway to Free Two Pirate-Held Planes in Somalia

"Puntland 'seizes Kenya-bound planes that transported pirate suspects'" - garoweonline

(PUNTLAND, Somalia) - Authorities in Somalia's Puntland State government have seized two Kenya-bound airplanes that allegedly transported pirate suspects to Puntland without the local government's knowledge, government sources tell Garowe Online.

The two airplanes were seized by Puntland security forces on Sunday after landing at the airport in Galkayo, the provincial capital of Mudug region.

Pirates Free MV Hansa Stavanger Along With Crew

The box-ship with around 1,070 containers was sea-jacked by Somali sea-shifta on 3rd April 2009 400 km off the southern Somali port of Kismaayu.

(NAIROBI, Kenya) - "The nightmare of being held hostage in Somalia is over for five Germans, three Russians, two Ukrainians, two Filipinos, 11 Tuvaluans and one sailor from Fiji," according to Ecoterra International, a group in Africa that monitors the pirate situation off Somalia around the clock since 1986.

They say pirates freed the German owned, German-flagged MV Hansa Stavanger and the vessel is sailing - Ecoterra's sources confirmed.

Pirates Release German Ship and Crew for Ransom

Crew members aboard two separate vessels are all reported to be in good health.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Ecoterra reports that the ship MV Victoria, which was seized by pirates off the Somalia coast, was released overnight against a ransom payment of US$ 1.8 million.

The vessel is owned by the German company Intersee GmbH. Ecoterra, which closely monitors the pirate situation off the African coast, reports that this release was long overdue.