Stories about Humanitarian Response from October, 2008
D.R. of Congo: Blogging From the War Zone
The following are eye-witness accounts from bloggers based in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo about the situation in the area following fresh clashes between rebels, government and UN forces.
D.R. Congo: Confusion Reigns in Goma
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
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
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...
Afghanistan: Nuristan, in Pictures
We've had enough doom and gloom in Afghanistan for a while, yes? So here's a pretty picture of Aranas village in Waygal district of Nuristan.
China: No Uyghurs in our Hotel
The new dominion blogs about the systematic discrimination against Uyghurs in China, such as denied access to inns or hotels.
China: “Criminal” with Human Rights Award
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
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
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...
Myanmar: Crop failure in cyclone-hit areas
Rule of Lords warns of food shortage in Myanmar, especially in the cyclone-hit areas. Crop failures were reported in fields inundated with salt water.
Tajikistan: Investments into healthcare are equal to Ones of Sierra Leone
Vadim writes that according to the latest report of WHO, there is a gap of 40 years in life expectancy between Tajikistan and Sierra Leone but in both countries governments allocate the same amount of money for one person per year, which constitutes about 100 USD.
Tajikistan: Beautiful autumn and muddy water
Vadim posts two pictures – the one of a crystally blue skies in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, and another of a scarily brown water from the tap, also in Dushanbe.
Bloggers fear impact of economic crisis on Madagascar
Developing countries like Madagascar fear that a reduction in aid due to the economic crisis will severely hinder the progress made in social development and the reduction of extreme poverty.
Iran: Bloggers Talk Poverty on Blog Action Day
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...
China: Netizen Split over Student's Death
ESWN translates a Southern Metropolis Daily reports on netizens’ opinions over the issue on “The Police Beat A Harbin University Student To Death”.
China: Six Harbin Police Beat To Death University Student
Fauna from ChinaSMACK translated a local breaking news about six Harbin police beat to death a 22 years old university student (with disturbing photos of dead body). Shanghaiist streamed a CCTV report with brief English explanation.
India: Social entrepreneur helping the poor
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.
China: A visit to one of Beijing’s ‘black jails’
Black and white cat translated three blog posts on local bloggers’ flash mob visit to one of Beijing's “black jails” (detention center for petitioners).
Haiti, Jamaica, T&T: Thoughts on Haiti
Haiti Innovation wonders what's next for the hurricane-ravaged town of Gonaives, while Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp focuses on a new book about Haiti.
India: Community Journalism with Video Volunteers
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
“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.
