Stories about Humanitarian Response from August, 2011
Egypt: Using Twitter to Help a Cairo Community
After seeing the huge impact of social media on the Egyptian revolution, Egyptian blogger, Mahmoud Salem (@SandMonkey) decided to collaborate with a non-profit organisation, Peace and Plenty, to help them raise funds for a community in Cairo in need of basic services.
Global Voices Partners with UNFPA on 7 Billion Actions
This year the world's population will exceed 7 billion people. To mark this milestone, Global Voices has been commissioned by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to write a series of posts that celebrate how one person or group can still make a difference in a world of 7 billion people.
Somalia: Food Security Emergency Spreads Despite Aid
As the Horn of Africa deals with what the Food and Agriculture Organization is calling the “most severe food security emergency in the world today,” experts warn that conditions in famine-stricken Somalia are likely to further deteriorate. Juhie Bhatia examines the spread of the disaster.
Ethiopia: British Media Fuels Aid Apathy
According to Ethiopian blogger, Daniel Berhane, British media fuels aid apathy: “At a time when about 12 million people in the horn of Africa suffer from the worst drought in 60 years , British media is busy disenchanting private donations…Alas, at a time when only a third of the needed...
Pakistan: Help The Flood Affected People
The recent floods in Pakistan has displaced over a million people. Beena Sarwar highlights the relief efforts so far and lists the ways you can help the flood victims.
Bangladesh: Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior Starts A New Mission
After 52 years of service the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior has been retired and rechristened as Rongdhonu (Rainbow in Bangla), which will serve as an emergency medical ship around the Bangladesh coasts, reports Bangladesh Watchdog.
Somalia: Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan In Mogadishu
afrik.com reports [fr] on Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's visit in Mogadishu: “The prime minister, his wife Emine and other [Turkish] political and business leaders, as well as artists, are in Somalia to meet the victims of the drought and famine raging in the country.”
Bahrain: The Plight of Unfairly Dismissed Employees
Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif sheds light on the plight of Bahrainis “unfairly” dismissed from their jobs due to the current unrest in the country.
Russia: Volga German Deportation Turns 70
Otto's Random Thoughts commemorates the 70th anniversary of the soviet deportation of Volga Germans during the Second World War.
China: Dog Massacre in Jiangmen City
Fauna translated a story from MOP about the latest policy in Jiangmen city which bans residents from strolling their dogs in public areas. The implementation of the policy involves large scale public execution of dogs. [Warning: the link contains very cruel pictures.]
Pakistan: The Plights Of The Flood Victims
Faisal Kapadia blogs from a medical camp for the flood affected people in Khowrah of Sindh province in Pakistan and comments: “although the floods of last year may be over and long gone, the human tragedy remains.”
Madagascar: The Evictions of Families of Malagasy Farmers from Lands on the Rise
The Collective Body for the Defense of Malagasy [fr and mg] - (TANY) states that : “the procedure to obtain land titles in Madagascar necessitates on average 24 steps, 6 years and up to $500 USD. Yet the evicitions of farmers’ families [fr] from lands they have cultivated for several...
Russia: A Psycho-Neurological Patient's Photo Stories
Pasha Kyshtymov, a lifelong psycho-neurological patient in Siberia, cannot communicate through speech, but had no problems learning to express himself through photography. On his blog, the Russian photographer Oleg Klimov has documented the poignant impromptu experience of teaching Pasha to share his worldview with others.
Poland: NGO Helps Looking for Missing Persons
Polandian writes about ITAKA: Centre for Missing People (en.zaginieni.pl), a Polish NGO that helps tracing missing persons.
Egypt: The Unspoken Languages of the Streets
We as humans have a unique ability to communicate via spoken languages. However in a crowded and loud city like Cairo, we sometimes need more than spoken languages to communicate. Tarek Amr takes a closer look at sign languages used in congested areas and the language of car honks.
China: Discount train ticket for the disabled
A weibo user account, wishing-for-half-price-ticket-for-the-disabled, has been set up with a photo of a disable person protesting outside the MInistry of Railways demanding half-price discount train ticket for the disabled.
Libya: Humanitarian Conditions Continue to Deteriorate this Ramadan
Libyans continue to suffer from dire humanitarian conditions as the war in their country rages this Ramadan. From food to water to fuel and power shortages, to burying their dead and the lack of reliable information on what is happening in their own backyard, this month of fasting is proving to be a hard one.
Yemen: Pressing Humanitarian Needs and Deteriorating Economic Situation
The United Nations Security Council has issued a statement expressing grave concern about the situation on the ground in Yemen, including pressing humanitarian needs and a deteriorating economic situation following months of protests calling for the overthrow of the Ali Abdullah Saleh regime.
Ethiopia: Local Media Ignore Famine
Endalk wonders why Ethiopian media ignores famine in the country: “While there has been news after news on the issue of on the global press which was lead by the Guardian and other global newspapers. I have been desperately running from newspaper to newspaper but I have barely seen a...
Cameroon: Scor.pi.o's Debut Single ‘Surprising Europe’ Out
Scor.pi.o is a Cameroonian hip hop artist. His first single is now available on iTunes: “The proceeds from the single will benefit a future project of Ssuna Golooba, founder of Surprising Europe.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Love, Freedom & Humanity
“The real tragedy is people who have no one to love them. I can hardly imagine how long it’s been since anyone has reassured them, you are real. You are important. You are loved. If you don’t have this then food and money and life mean nothing. That is why it...
