Stories about Humanitarian Response from March, 2011
South Korea: Old Feuds Forgotten as Koreans React to Japan Quake
Forgetting old feuds between the two countries, South Korean bloggers and tweeps have expressed both deep concern and support for Japan in its time of crisis. Harsh criticisms meanwhile have been leveled at Korean media for aggravating the already grave situation.
South Sudan: The UN and civilian protection
Maggie discusses the UN and civilian protection in South Sudan: “As the Southern Sudanese army’s fight continues against rebel forces it claims are backed by the Khartoum government, the question of how everyday southerners caught in the crossfire can and should be protected is becoming increasingly urgent.”
Afghanistan: Civilian deaths rise, most attributed to Taliban
Civilian deaths in Afghanistan rose by 15 per cent in 2010 to 2,777 killed, of which 2,080 (75 per cent) were attributed to insurgents, reports Nick Fielding.
Afghanistan: Stinging critique of development aid
Nick Fielding reviews a former World Bank and French development agency director's stinging critique of international donors’ mistakes in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2010, emphasizing the lack of a coherent strategy and clear goals.
Old Feud Lost During Disaster, Korean Responses to Japan Quake
Korean's old feud against Japanese colonization rule has momentarily lost, as more reports came out revealing the aftermath of Japan's disastrous earthquake, @pebmedia tweeted the link [en] that aggregated Korean responses to Japan's earthquake.
Haiti: At the Intersection
Throwing Down the Water witnesses a scene which reminds her that “we contain infinite possibilities. And that if we accept the excuses most easily available to us, we are selling ourselves – and the world – short.”
India: Euthanasia Debate Re-kindled
The Indian blogosphere is buzzing with mixed emotions after the Supreme Court of India rejected the mercy killing petition filed by journalist Pinki Virani on behalf of Aruna Shanbaug who has been cared for and kept alive for 37years at the KEM hospital, Mumbai, India. Conversations abound on blogs, forums, comments on published news posts, Twitter and Facebook.
International Solidarity Campaign: the “Acqua for life challenge”
“The Acqua for Life project aims to provide tens of millions of litres of clean water to the communities who most need it. The operation is due to start in Ghana and will support the Smart Water for Green Schools project. In this west African country, almost 40% of the...
Japan: Tsunami Strikes Coast, Leaves Nothing in Wake
Following the country's largest earthquake in recorded history, Japan is being hit by it's most ferocious tsunami. People across the country are glued to their TV screens as scenes of a tsunami measuring more than 7 meters in height sweeping away cars and buildings flashes across the news.
Japan: Russian Twitterers Report the Earthquake
The attention of Russian twitter-o-sphere is riveted on six Russian-speaking Twitterers that are currently reporting from Japan (all of them situated in different locations of the country): @msvetov, @japanreports, @mig22k, @sanmai, @touzoku, and @harunoko.
Russia: The Dead Journal
Social networks strongly tie a person to themselves. The person opens a page under his/her name, puts out photographs, indicates interests, joins groups and communities, writes notes, shares impressions and thoughts. What happens to this page when the person dies?
Côte d'Ivoire: Fear of Medicine Shortage Looms
The political crisis in Côte d'Ivoire is ongoing, without any prospect of a solution in the short-term. Doctors in the country have warned of the prospect of imminent medical shortages, as a result of embargos that have been placed on ships docking in Ivorian ports. In this article, netizens and tweeps discuss the issue.
The Forgotten Palestinian Refugees of Libya
More than 10 percent of Libya's inhabitants are immigrants and among them there are reportedly up to 70,000 Palestinian refugee settlers. As they flee violence in the country, the Palestinian Authority has tried to coordinate their evacuation, but lack of identity cards has seen them turned away from a border crossing in Egypt.
Yemen: Saleh “declares war on Yemen” (Videos)
Once again, Yemen's security forces have shot and killed protesters calling for the resignation of long-term leader Ali Abdullah Saleh. This time, however, the killings took place at Sanaa University, under the nose of international media and observers. With local protesters and opposition members further enraged at the violence, what will the international community do?
Libya: Gaddafi Forces Continue to Shell Zawiya
Intense reports of tank and artillery shelling of Al Zawiya, in the north western part of Libya, are making the rounds on Twitter. Here's the latest on the battle, which Gaddafi state media claims to have won.
Libya: Debating the No-Fly Zone (Video)
As human rights atrocities continue across Libya, Tweeps, bloggers and netizens continue their debate on the effectiveness of establishing a no-fly zone over Libya to protect protesters, troops and civilians from air attack.
Libya: The Freedom Flag Flies Over Misurata (Videos)
The Libyan cities of Bin Jawad, Ras Lanuf, Az-Zawiyah and Misurata all saw fighting on Sunday 6 March, 2011. We take a look at how regional Tweeps and video journalists viewed the fighting in Misurata, the country's third largest city.
Middle East: Revolutionary Breeze Blowing from Cairo to Benghazi
Egyptian Tarek Shalaby shares the details of the trip he organized with friends to Libya in order to show solidarity with the Libyan people, as well as deliver medical supplies to them.
Lebanon: Protests Against Sectarian Regime
More than 2,500 Lebanese citizens marched last Sunday (February 27, 2011) in the capital Beirut against the sectarian system which they think is the reason of the country's problems. Here's how it went and how the Lebanese online community reacted. Other protests are planned for tomorrow (March 5).
Libya: Death Toll Rises to 6,000, US Mulls Intervention
Human rights groups have put the latest death toll in the Libyan crisis to over 6000, as pro-Gaddafi forces continue to pound opposition-held cities with air strikes. Libyan bloggers and tweeps share their side of the story in this post by Antoun Issa.
Panama: Law Modifying Mining Code to be Repealed
On March 3, President Ricardo Martinelli promised to repeal a law that modified Panama's mining code. The news were received with joy among Panamanians who saw the reforms as an attack on the environment. Reactions immediately appeared on social networks.
