Also in Global Health News: Germany HIV/AIDS grant; Sumatra water situation; India's unlicensed doctors; land ownership, food security

Germany Grants $34M For HIV/AIDS Work In Central Africa

The Organisation for the Coordination of the Struggle Against Epidemics in Central Africa (OCEAC) on Tuesday announced that the German government has granted $34 million to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in central Africa, Agence France-Presse reports. "The Germany-backed project has three objectives: to ensure that condoms and female safe sex aids are available throughout the region; to educate people in order to change risky behaviour patterns; and to reduce the harm caused by the stigma and the discrimination practised against people living with HIV/AIDS," the news service writes (10/27).

Many Earthquake Survivors In Sumatra May Soon Have No Access To Clean Water

A lack of aid may soon force "about 500,000 survivors of an earthquake that hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra" to live without clean water, Reuters AlertNet reports. Since the earthquake struck, agencies have been using water trucks to transport clean water to the people of Padang and Pariaman cities. However, "[a]n appeal for funds for the clean water project has only raised about $2 million, a third of the required amount," reducing the ability for the agencies to operate the clean water program without additional aid (Win, 10/27).

CNN Examines Role Of Unlicensed Doctors In India

CNN examines the role of unlicensed doctors in India: Though "[p]racticing medicine without a license is a crime in India," members of India's medical association say the so-called traditional healers "thrive," thanks to a lack of enforcement combined with "over-crowded and short-staffed state-run hospitals, and costly care at corporate health care centers" (Singh, 10/27).

FAO Announces Plans To Create Global Land Ownership Guidelines

The U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on Tuesday announced plans to "draw the first ever global guidelines to ensure land access to farmers and investors, boost food security and prevent arbitrary land grabs," Reuters reports. Over the next year, representatives from the FAO will meet with governments, the private sector, poor farmers, indigenous groups, local authorities, academia and independent experts to "work out governance of tenure to land and other natural resources" (10/27). "The voluntary guidelines are intended to provide practical guidance to states, civil society and the private sector on responsible governance of tenure," PANA/Afrique en ligne writes (10/27).