An international study into the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) shows that each month 45,000 die from the consequences of war, disease and malnutrition. The fighting has cost the country 5.4 million lives in the last ten years, more than half of which where children, the largest death toll since World War II.
Makers of a nutritionally valuable snack Plumpy’nut are being encouraged to expand distribution to the consumer market in Niger, where half of the population is susceptible to malnutrition. Plumpy’ nut at current is only supplied to aid agencies for distribution, and many believe wide supply could help prevent malnutrition. The UN estimates that more than 50% childhood deaths of children under five in Niger are caused by malnutrition. MSF estimates only 3%, 600,000, of children with severe acute malnutrition have access to any kind of ready to use food (Reuters/IRIN).
In Afghanistan some 60,000 children are scrapping a measly living on the hard streets by begging, or selling cheap goods like gum (National Public Radio (text and audio)).
The issue of child labor in the diamond industry, has been of grave concern to many consumers, especially since the release of the movie “Blood Diamond” . Efforts to move the industry towards ‘conflict free’ or ‘fair trade’ diamonds has been growing since the establishment of the Kimberly Process in 2003. The newest to join the fight is Tiffany & Co, who has now provided Funding for TransFair USA to Explore Feasibility of Fair Trade Certified(TM) Diamonds.
