debt relief

The United Nations (UN) says it is running out of food for millions of starving Somalis in part because the United States is delaying aid amid fears it could be intercepted by militants linked to al-Qaeda.

Starting October, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) says it cut rations by up to half for some people in the lawless, impoverished east African nation and will run out of supplies in December.

It is that time of the year again when reports about how well donors have performed in meeting their aid commitments are released. This year is unique because of the devastating effects of the global financial crisis. What is on everyone’s mind is: will donors sustain their commitments or will they buckle under the heavy weight of the global financial crisis?

The newly appointed South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) interim board is examining the costs of each of the beleaguered broadcaster's departments "line by line", chairperson Irene Charnley said on Tuesday.

"We need to stabilise the SABC at all levels. The situation is not normal. Financially the organisation is in dire straits."

The SABC reported a financial loss of R839-million for the 2008/09 financial year. The broadcaster had asked the government for a R2-billion bailout.

Improved economic policies in Zimbabwe have led to a "nascent" recovery in the economy. This is according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF, however, is of the view that the country must clear more than US$1.1 billion in arrears to creditors before it can qualify for IMF financial aid.

IMF mission chief to Zimbabwe, Vitaliy Kramarenko, noted that Zimbabwe will need to pay its arrears to the IMF, World Bank and African Development Bank, in order to get help from the donors.

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, has urged for an increase in assistance for Zimbabwe so that the country can reconstruct itself.

Nkoana-Mashabane says South Africa is committed to developing normal diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe.“We shall continue to work with the people of Zimbabwe for the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement," she says.

Comments have been made recently regarding the current global economic recession and its possible effects on non-profit organisations (NPOs). Economists urge organisations to look to corporate funding to bridge the economic slump that may lie ahead, while those already relying on this funding have been advised to brace themselves for a reduction in funds over the next two years.

The Sudanese government has announced that it will allow applications from new international NGOs to operate in the western Darfur region, filling the gap left when the government expelled 13 agencies.

The announcement comes as the UN’s Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes, continued a trip to the country, meeting leaders in the semi-autonomous southern region.

As the 2009 South African elections came to a close in April, it should not be forgotten that poverty alleviation remains one of the most important concerns for the country. South Africa has seen waves of social unrest from its poorest and most marginalised citizens over the past 18 months, some of these demonstrations resulting in violence.

The latest G20 summit was held on 2 April 2009 where 20 of the world’s strongest trade countries came together to discuss global matters of trade and finance. Despite the broad and essential character of these economic matters, women’s ability to contribute to the world economy barely featured in the discussions and decision-making at the summit. Only two out of the 20 leaders who attended were women.