SUDAN: RISING INSECURITY LEADS TO CUT IN FOOD RATIONS
On 17 April, the UN World Food Program (WFP) announced it had been forced to reduce delivery of monthly rations to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Darfur, western Sudan. Posted 30 April 2008.

SUDAN: CENSUS FINALLY UNDERWAY
On 17 April, the UN World Food Program (WFP) announced it had been forced to reduce delivery of monthly rations to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Darfur, western Sudan. Posted 30 April 2008.

SOUTHERN AFRICA: LITTLE OR NO PROTECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
On 23 April, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) accused southern Africa states of having failed to implement laws to combat human trafficking. Posted 30 April 2008.

NEPAL/CHAD: FIRE-DEVASTATED CAMPS BEING REBUILT
On 22 April, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) announced it has begun rebuilding camps in Nepal and Chad after devastating fires left more than 10,000 refugees homeless in the two countries. Posted 30 April 2008.

UK: SELF-HARM MORE LIKELY IN IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTERS
Statistics, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act in the UK, show that in the last four months of 2007, 42 unsuccessful asylum seekers and migrants needed medical attention for self-harm in the country's 10 immigration detention centers. Posted 30 April 2008.

INTERNATIONAL: RECORD NUMBER OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS
According to the annual study by the Norwegian Refugee Council, released on 17 April, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) reached 26 million people in 2007, the highest ever recorded. Posted 30 April 2008.

KENYA: REFUGEE REPATRIATION AFFECTS THOSE LEFT BEHIND
The ongoing repatriation of refugees to southern Sudan continues to shape JRS involvement in Kakuma camp. Posted 30 April 2008.

PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT WORKERS AND PRIESTS TARGETED BY PARAMILITARIES IN COLOMBIA
On April 10, 2008 the Development and Peace Program of Magdalena Medio was the second of Colombian Jesuit programs targeted by a rearmed wing of the AUC paramilitary group, which calls itself the “Black Eagles – The Rearmament.”  In this most recent communication the paramilitaries threatened Priests, parishes, and human rights and humanitarian workers with death. The Catholic Dioceses of Barrancabermeja and Magangué and the Development and Peace Program of Magdalena Medio responded on April 15, 2008 with the following joint statement addressing the threats against priests, parishioners, and humanitarian workers. Posted 17 April 2008.

On 3 April, the Human Rights Committee highlighted issues in Panama of corruption, abuse of detainees, discrimination against women, violation of refugee rights as well as numerous difficulties faced by the indigenous community. Posted 17 April 2008.

UN REFUGEE AGENCY CHIEF CONCERNED ABOUT GLOBAL FOOD SHORTAGES
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres, speaking at the Progressive Governance Summit, calls for support for the World Food Program in its efforts to respond to soaring food costs and the implications for refugees and others  in need of aid. Posted 7 April 2008.

EUROPE:  JRS ADOPTS NEW POSITION ON ADMINISTRATIVE DETENTION OF ASYLUM SEEKERS
JRS Europe has issued a common set of principles and positions with respect to the administrative detention of asylum seekers. Posted 7 April 2008.