Astrid Zweynert
Astrid Zweynert is Deputy Editor of AlertNet, based in London. She has been working for Reuters since 1994, most recently as Editor of www.reuters.co.uk, with prior stints as general and financial news correspondent, and as editor on the World Desk. One of her key interests is helping to build social networking and communities among the AlertNet audience.
Water evaporates from climate change negotiations
Much of the talking at climate change negotiations ahead of a big gathering in Copenhagen in December has been focusing on emissions, prompting campaigners at this week's Barcelona meeting to point out that water is also critical to the success of any efforts to adapt to the impact of climate change. The way that water is managed in and between countries is a vital component of future planning. Water is also crucial to many mitigation activities, including hydropower, agriculture and forestry projects. ...
Ethiopia calls for emergency aid to stop food crisis
By Tsegaye Tadesse and Astrid Zweynert ADDIS ABABA/LONDON (AlertNet) - Ethiopia on Thursday appealed for emergency aid to feed 6.2 million people, 25 years after more than a million perished in the country's notorious famine. Aid workers say a five-year drought is afflicting more than 23 million people in seven east African nations. ...
Crisis mapping brings X-ray style clarity to humanitarian response
LONDON (AlertNet) - In the chaos that usually follows a natural disaster, taking the time to create maps may seem low down on the priority list when a rapid response is key to helping to save lives. But mapping and the humanitarian response meet when important questions are asked in the aftermath of a disaster, such as: "Where are the affected populations? Where can they be evacuated to? Where is it safe and where is the aid?" ...
UN aid chief urges more money for Yemen displaced
(updated on Oct 11 to include further delay to UN aid convoy, paragraph 13+14) LONDON (AlertNet) - United Nations humanitarian officials have appealed for more aid for an estimated 150,000 civilians forced from their homes in northern Yemen by fighting between rebels and the military and voiced alarm over the dire conditions they have to endure. U.N. humanitarian chief John Holmes also called for greater access to displaced people and urged donors to respond quickly to an emergency plea for $23.5 million in aid. ...
Could Afghanistan prosper if aid is redirected to the less violent north?
International donors have given more than $20 billion in development and humanitarian aid to Afghanistan since the Taliban were toppled in 2001 but there is widespread criticism among aid agencies and observers that funds are insufficient and misused. Among the problems preventing donor money from being put to its intended use - for example to build roads or deliver food to the poorest - is deteriorating security, as well as corruption. The head of the United Nations mission in Kabul has come up with a suggestion to make the money work - the West should redirect much of its aid to long-term development projects in Afghanistan's more peaceful north rather than aiming so much of it at the violent south. ...
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