Millennium Goals Hampered by Natural Disasters in Africa

The Red Cross director for Africa has said that climate change disasters on the African continent have raised the need for an humanitarian response as poverty continues to plague communities. "Natural disasters related to global warming are becoming more frequent in African countries. We have seen more cases of drought and floods compared to previous years," said Alasan Senghore.

"This year alone we have intervened in up to six cases of floods in three months. The devastation is severe," said Senghore on the sidelines of an African leadership forum hosted by the Red Cross.

According to Senghore, natural disasters in poor African countries would make it hard for governments to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

"The global financial crisis has affected donor funding and prompted us to shift priorities," he said.

Senghore mentioned that some level of progress had been noted in African countries, such as in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention.

"Governments particularly in southern Africa have done well to prevent the spread of HIV, through interventions like education and providing care," said Senghore.

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The United Nations set a 15-year timeframe at the turn of the millennium to achieve its goals of halving extreme poverty, boosting health and education and promoting gender equality across the developing world by 2015.

Source-AFP