United Nations humanitarian update from IRIN - 1/18/2008

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KENYA: The Rift Valley’s deadly land rows
NAIROBI, 18 January 2008 (IRIN) - Kenya's breadbasket Rift Valley Province has experienced some of the worst ethnic clashes since December's disputed polls. But there is nothing new to the violence in this volatile region. full report

KENYA: Florence Gundo: "How will we feed the children?"
NAIROBI, 18 January 2008 (IRIN) - Florence Gundo is the coordinator and founder of the Orongo Widows and Orphans Group, which cares for 288 orphans in western Kenya's Nyanza Province. Gundo told IRIN/PlusNews how the political unrest had affected the group.full report

KENYA: Police under fire over live rounds
NAIROBI, 17 January 2008 (IRIN) - Human rights activists in Kenya have dismissed as meaningless police plans to launch an inquiry into the use of live rounds during protests against December’s controversial presidential elections. full report

GLOBAL: First two years in a child's life key to adult development
NEW YORK, 17 January 2008 (IRIN) - The first two years in a child’s life are crucial in determining its well-being in adulthood, according to a series of five papers launched in The Lancet on 17 January. Maternal and child under-nutrition in the first two years is the underlying cause of 3,5 million deaths a year, 35 percent of disease in young children and a host of longer-term ills, states the report.full report

KENYA: Pledges high but millions more needed in humanitarian aid
NAIROBI, 16 January 2008 (IRIN) - Close to US$30 million has already been pledged by international donors for humanitarian operations to assist people affected by Kenya's post-election crisis, but millions more are needed, according to UN and non-governmental aid agencies. full report

UGANDA: More refugees flee from neighbouring Kenya
BUSIA, UGANDA, 16 January 2008 (IRIN) - Kenyans fearing more political violence are continuing to seek refuge in neighbouring Uganda, according to aid workers. full report