The United Nations Food Agency (UNFA) has predicted that 1999 will be a difficult year as far as natural disasters are concerned. "Forecasts for the 1999 show there will be a likely increase in the number of countries suffering emergencies and number of people needing humanitarian assistance," said a UNFA spokesperson. Last year was marked by an unprecedented combination of events driving up hunger levels -- natural tragedies like Hurricane Mitch in Colombia and Honduras, economic collapses in Indonesia and Russia, a resumption of civil wars in Kosovo and Angola and El Nio-driven devastating floods in South Asia.
United Nations Development Programme has (UNDP) launched five new projects in Central America to help victims of Hurricane Mitch in Honduras and Nicaragua. A fund of US $2.3 million has been granted to 25 municipalities in Nicaragua to reconstruct homes, restore health care and sanitation. In Honduras, a US $26 million project was launched to build infrastructure and to counter transmission of infectious diseases through sanitation and other prevention programmes. Another US $3 million project in Honduras will help strengthen the government's newly created Special Cabinet for national reconstruction.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.