· October, 2008

Stories about Humanitarian Response from October, 2008

D.R. Congo: Confusion Reigns in Goma

  31 October 2008

Two months ago fighting resumed in the DR Congo's Eastern province of North Kivu between the rebel group led by Laurent Nkunda and government forces, in violation of a peace accord signed in January. The fighting has intensified during the last 6 days and, although a cease-fire was announced, the situation remains uncertain in Goma. Here are a few impressions from bloggers on the ground.

Cambodia: Hero of the Year nominee

  31 October 2008

Nuon Phymean from Cambodia is one of the nominees for the CNN Hero of the Year Award. She has helped a lot of children in Phnom Penh by providing free education and job training.

Sudan: Humanitarian Access in Darfur

  28 October 2008

Jacky discusses humanitarian access in Darfur, Sudan: “Media reports this week cite growing concern over ‘denial of humanitarian access’ in Darfur. Although such denial certainly exists, many of the actors being denied – in the form of travel bans, visa refusals, car-jacking, etc – are not strict ‘humanitarians,’ but a...

China: “Criminal” with Human Rights Award

  27 October 2008

Last week (Oct 23) it was announced that the European Parliaments’ Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded to Chinese political activist Hu Jia. On the other hand, China government expressed its anger and disappointment at the European Union decision, insisting Hu was a criminal, and described the...

China: To be Dead or Not? Amnesty Appeal for Cop-killer

  27 October 2008

Scores of scholars and journalists appealed of an amnesty for cop-killer Yangjia, arguing it can be a great time to launch a repeal of death sentence. But opposite voices argued no less weakly that, we have better things to do than saving his life.

Morocco: Tangier Experiences Massive Flooding

  26 October 2008

For the past few years, Morocco has been experiencing a significant drought. Unfortunately, recent rain storms have brought little relief, as Northern Morocco experiences massive flooding, claiming the lives of at least 13 people. The View From Fez recently reported on the floods: Thirteen people have been killed in northern...

Iran: Bloggers Talk Poverty on Blog Action Day

  16 October 2008

Iranian bloggers, like many other bloggers , from the four corners of the planet participated in Blog Action Day on 15th of October to talk about poverty. Dreeam writes [fa] about families with low income who can only look at rich ones. The blogger writes: I have pity for people...

India: Social entrepreneur helping the poor

  14 October 2008

In a Blog Action Day post Lalit Patnaik at Inside Out highlights one social entrepreneur who is promoting sustainable technologies such as solar electrification to families below poverty line in rural India.

India: Community Journalism with Video Volunteers

  11 October 2008

Video Volunteers is an organization of media producers from the villages and slums in India, creating content that is relevant to themselves and screening it inside the communities, reaching thousands of people a month with news and events that affect them and call them into action. Channel 19 is the online video channel where this media, created by and for the communities is showcased for the rest of the population.

Pakistan: Still ignoring the stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh

  10 October 2008

“The politicians in Pakistan religiously issue statements each year bemoaning the plight of the stranded Pakistanis,” Raza Rumi writes about the stranded Pakistanis (Biharis) in Bangladesh and the appalling life they lead as they keep their hopes alive to return to Pakistan.