We recently blogged about the Humanitarian Action Report that UNICEF just published. In the report, UNICEF identifies 39 countries that are undergoing man-made or natural emergencies, and whose children desperately need help. We wanted to talk about a few of the countries that are mentioned in the report to highlight the tremendous obstacles that children in these countries face.
Malawi has been suffering under the strains of severe poverty and an HIV/AIDS crisis for years. This small nation is also regularly besieged by flooding, when its largest river, the Shire, rises above its banks. Thousands of families get displaced during these floods, losing their homes, livestock, and fields.
Twelve-year-old Bina Amadu’s school was one of the buildings that was washed away during the most recent flooding. When Bina was treated 3 years ago for malaria, he was so inspired by his physician that he decided he wanted to become a doctor. Bina has been studying hard ever since, and was of course devastated that his school was destroyed.
When UNICEF came to his town to erect a temporary school, Bina watched with bated breath. “If I don’t go to school,” he said, “I cannot become a doctor. Now that we have a new school, I can work hard to become one.” The school will teach 400 children from up to 40 km away, so that the kids who have lost their schools can go back to living a normal life--and like Bina, can fulfill their dreams.
To read more about Bina’s story, you can go here. And if you’d like to donate to UNICEF’s emergency fund, please visit our donations page. Check back here for more stories from the Humanitarian Action Report, and let us know if there’s a region you’d like to hear more about!
Sunday, 23 March 2008
Malawi to maintain growth above 7 pct in 2008-IMF
Malawi's real economic growth will remain above seven percent in 2008, boosted by high tobacco prices, aid inflows and fiscal discipline, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast on Sunday.
In a statement released at the end of a final review of a so-called Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), the IMF said Malawi's economic performance had encouraged it to discuss a new programme for the southern African country.
"Helped by sound policies, including better management of public spending, another good harvest, high aid inflows and high tobacco prices, real GDP growth is estimated to have been almost eight percent in 2007," IMF resident representative Maitland McFarlan in a statement.
"And it is estimated to stay above seven percent in 2008."
Malawi's second consecutive surplus harvest of staple grain maize helped reduce inflation from 15 percent in June 2006 to eight percent in February 2008, although higher food and fuel prices are putting upward pressure on commodity prices.
Malawi's annual inflation quickened to 8 percent in February, from 7.7 percent in January, on the back of rising commodity prices, according to the National Statistical Office (NSO).
McFarlan said a new IMF programme under discussion with Malawi would aim to improve macroeconomic stability, sustain growth and ease poverty.
"The mission and authorities agreed that it will be important to further strengthen public financial and economic management and increase foreign exchange reserves to buttress Malawi's ability to withstand negative shocks that could otherwise derail growth and increase poverty," he said.
Discussions on a new programme have advanced and will be discussed by the IMF's executive board in Washington in June.
The head of the IMF mission, Andrew Berg, said inflation could be kept under control.
"Inflation is a concern but it is important not to resist it too much. It is manageable and something to keep an eye on," he said.
In a statement released at the end of a final review of a so-called Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), the IMF said Malawi's economic performance had encouraged it to discuss a new programme for the southern African country.
"Helped by sound policies, including better management of public spending, another good harvest, high aid inflows and high tobacco prices, real GDP growth is estimated to have been almost eight percent in 2007," IMF resident representative Maitland McFarlan in a statement.
"And it is estimated to stay above seven percent in 2008."
Malawi's second consecutive surplus harvest of staple grain maize helped reduce inflation from 15 percent in June 2006 to eight percent in February 2008, although higher food and fuel prices are putting upward pressure on commodity prices.
Malawi's annual inflation quickened to 8 percent in February, from 7.7 percent in January, on the back of rising commodity prices, according to the National Statistical Office (NSO).
McFarlan said a new IMF programme under discussion with Malawi would aim to improve macroeconomic stability, sustain growth and ease poverty.
"The mission and authorities agreed that it will be important to further strengthen public financial and economic management and increase foreign exchange reserves to buttress Malawi's ability to withstand negative shocks that could otherwise derail growth and increase poverty," he said.
Discussions on a new programme have advanced and will be discussed by the IMF's executive board in Washington in June.
The head of the IMF mission, Andrew Berg, said inflation could be kept under control.
"Inflation is a concern but it is important not to resist it too much. It is manageable and something to keep an eye on," he said.
The secret behind Madonna’s 4 Minutes (+ music)
Bet you didn’t know this.
Madonna’s urgent new single, 4 Minutes, is about child adoption. It’s dedicated to her adopted son, David Banda.
In the song, she sings counterpoint with Justin: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions/If I died tonight at least I did what I wanted to do, tell me how about you?”
And then she sings: “Grab a boy!” and Justin echoes: “Grab a girl!” And they sing: “No hesitating! You only got 4 minutes to save the world!”
4 Minutes is Madonna’s Malawi-inspired single. I’m very happy she isn’t stooping to singing about … Youtube (hint, hint).
Madonna’s urgent new single, 4 Minutes, is about child adoption. It’s dedicated to her adopted son, David Banda.
In the song, she sings counterpoint with Justin: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions/If I died tonight at least I did what I wanted to do, tell me how about you?”
And then she sings: “Grab a boy!” and Justin echoes: “Grab a girl!” And they sing: “No hesitating! You only got 4 minutes to save the world!”
4 Minutes is Madonna’s Malawi-inspired single. I’m very happy she isn’t stooping to singing about … Youtube (hint, hint).
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