In the latest news, the Pakistani government continues to be on the 'grey list' of countries that have failed to stop the drug trade. In the same article, the UN agency MSF said that urgent action is needed to stop a looming crisis. Also, there are reports of food shortages in Ethiopia and arrests of drug traffickers in the Ivory Coast. In other recent news, the Reserve Bank of India lifted restrictions on Mastercard.
FATF keeps Pakistan on 'grey list'
For the first time since June, Pakistan has been placed on the 'grey list' of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The organization, based in Paris, has been focused on money laundering as it relates to terrorism financing. The body has imposed an action plan for Pakistan to follow before it is removed from the grey list. However, Islamabad is not yet doing enough to meet the requirements, as it is failing to address a range of critical issues.
In October, the FATF added Gibraltar and Malta to its list, but did not remove Pakistan from the list. It will now base its decision on a final report from the regional affiliate, the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering, due on Feb. 1. Meanwhile, FATF president Marcus Pleyer has called on Pakistan to focus on targeting senior leaders and improving its anti-money laundering system. The organization has noted serious shortcomings in the anti-money laundering system in Pakistan and has asked Islamabad to improve it.
MSF says urgent action needed to prevent a looming crisis
A looming humanitarian crisis in South Sudan has prompted MSF to call for immediate action. The international humanitarian agency is providing medical assistance to the survivors of the conflict and has dispatched a surgical team to assist those who have been displaced. In response to the 'figures crisis', MSF says that the international community must intervene immediately to stop the repatriations and to stop the killing of civilians.
MSF-F has also condemned the lack of international support for the situation in eastern Zaire. The international community is largely indifferent to the situation in the region, and its proposal to reactivate a multinational force was rejected by the United States and UK. While the United States and France supported the Secretary-General's initiative, it has been stymied by the opposition from some governments.
Food crisis in Ethiopia
A food crisis in Ethiopia has become clear after severe drought hit the country during the last year. Despite extensive investments in agriculture and community improvements, Ethiopians are dependent on aid to feed themselves and their families. Several million people are displaced due to the lack of food. While the food crisis has affected entire nations and communities around the world, it is a particularly acute situation in Ethiopia. In this article, we will explore the causes and potential solutions to this problem.
The onset of the drought and erratic rainfall in Ethiopia caused the food crisis there. This led to widespread livestock deaths and a lack of staple foods. Many Ethiopians depend on maize and sorghum as their main source of staple food. The country produces around 40 percent of its own cereals. WFP has outlined the food needs for the first quarter of 2003, which are estimated at around $150 million. A supplemental ration of enriched blended foods is also distributed to the most vulnerable groups.
Arrests of cocaine in Ivory Coast
The Ivory Coast is on the front line against drugs and has recently made headlines with the seizure of more than two tons of cocaine in Abidjan and San Pedro. This haul is estimated to be worth more than $67 million on the street. The country has become a major transit point for South American cocaine heading towards Europe. The recent seizures of more than two tons of cocaine in the country also highlight the underlying problem of piracy.
Earlier this year, Ivory Coast authorities arrested the kingpin of the drug trade in the country. The cocaine was found in plastic-wrapped bundles, some of which bore the logo of the renowned Louis Vuitton. The drugs were destined for Abidjan and were discovered in a Spanish-flagged ship idling 250 kilometers off the coast. The seized drugs were then unloaded onto a smaller boat, which was intercepted by a special unit of the Ivorian navy. The arrests included five suspected drug traffickers, including a kingpin and his wife.
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Food crisis in Chhattisgarh
Investing in research to increase millets production and quality is a vital first step to address the food crisis in Chhattisgarh. The state is facing a food crisis owing to a lack of available micronutrients, especially iron and zinc. Also, the government is subsidising the cultivation of these crops, making them unaffordable for most people. Investing in farmers' capacity to plan and grow crops is crucial, as is increasing access to tools and subsidies. Among the most vulnerable are the women, who are often the primary producers and need the most social support to survive.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity in urban areas of Chhattisgarh became more serious, which further affected the already fragile state's food security. Despite these challenges, nutrition and food security programs should be continued in previously vulnerable areas, and emergency feeding programs should be extended to include all age groups. Food availability should be made more affordable, and long-term strategies should be developed based on the lessons learned from the crisis. This would be a crucial first step in disaster preparedness.
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