Media CenterNews We're Reading Now (Week of Nov 28, 2016)

The Small African Region with More Refugees than all of Europe

By Patrick Kingsley on The Guardian

This article describes in grave detail the grim situation for those in northeast Nigeria, where hundreds of thousands of people have fled as a result of violence caused by Boko Haram. In fact, as this article states, 40 percent more people have been displaced throughout Borno state in Nigeria than reached Europe by boat in 2015. Since the Boko Haram insurgency began, CRS has been providing lifesaving assistance across four countries, including in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.  For information about CRS’ work in those areas, contact Michael Stulman.

The UK Rise in Neets: Those Not in Education, Employment or Training

By Katie Allen on The Guardian  

As this article explains, official figures in the United Kingdom show a recent increase in the number of 16- to 24-year-olds classified as economically inactive, lifting the number of so-called “neets” (people neither in education, employment or training) to 857,000. This uptick has driven those in the nonprofit sector to wonder whether employers are doing enough to support young people. The rise of the “neets” is being similarly observed in the Central American countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. In fact, CRS has extensive youth-focused programming in those countries to help ameliorate barriers to employment. To learn more about CRS’ work with youth in Central America, contact Beatriz Afanador or Robyn Fieser

Year of Eating Cactus Fruit: Drought Causes Extreme Hunger in Madagascar

By Bronwen Dachs on Catholic News Service 

Nancy McNally, CRS’ regional information officer for East and Southern Africa, explains the grim reality for families affected by a prolonged drought in Southern Madagascar. In some villages, people are so desperate they’re eating cactus fruit. Others are dying from hunger. For an interview with Nancy McNally on this topic, contact Nikki Gamer.