U N I T E D   N A T I O N S
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Integrated Regional Information Network for Central and Eastern Africa

Tel: +254 2 622147
Fax: +254 2 622129
e-mail: irin@ocha.unon.org


CENTRAL AND EASTERN AFRICA
IRIN-CEA Weekly Round-Up 456
8 - 14 November 2008


CONTENTS:

CONGO: Disease devastates cassava crop, threatens widespread hunger
DRC: Agencies cannot reach IDPs trapped by fighting
DRC: Recruitment of child soldiers rising


ALSO SEE:

BURUNDI: No peace without prosperity - analysts 
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81447

DRC: What will stop the fighting?
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81391

UGANDA DIARIES:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=73953

KENYA: Drought forcing children to quit school: 
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81429

KENYA: Dumpsite threatens health and environment: 
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81405



CONGO: Disease devastates cassava crop, threatens widespread hunger

Cassava is the staple food for most people in the Republic of Congo, but 
this main source of nourishment is being threatened by a disease that 
has spread to most areas of the country.

"We've been having problems for more than two years and it's getting 
worse with the mosaic destroying our crops," said Rose Ambeto, who has 
several cassava fields.

[Full report at: 
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81448]


DRC: Agencies cannot reach IDPs trapped by fighting

Tens of thousands of civilians forced from their homes by fresh fighting 
in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are still beyond the reach of 
international aid, two weeks after the launch of a rebel offensive.

Swathes of countryside previously safe for humanitarian operations are 
now under the control of renegade general, Laurent Nkunda, head of the 
rebel Congres National pur la Defense du People (CND).

[Full report 
at: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81427]


DRC: Recruitment of child soldiers rising

As fighting continues in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo 
(DRC), child recruitment by rebels in the combat zones has been 
reported, UN and human rights activists have said.

"Thirty-seven children were recruited in Rutshuru [north of Goma] two 
weeks ago," Jaya Murthy, spokesman for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), 
told IRIN.

[Full report: 
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81406]


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