· January, 2009

Stories about Humanitarian Response from January, 2009

Brazil: Reflecting On Our Very Own Gaza Strips

As the rest of the world, Brazilian bloggers are closely following the latest developments of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Opinions are divided, but the conflict has, nevertheless, led bloggers to reflect upon one thing: some feel that what is happening in Gaza has a parallel with the daily wars in the violence plagued shantytowns around the country – dubbed Brazil's very own Gaza Strips – where many innocent lives are claimed every day.

11 January 2009

Egypt: Reporting Live from Rafah

Egyptian blogger and human rights activist Nora Younis has been watching the situation in Gaza closely and reporting live from Rafah, a Palestinian border town, where she spent her New Year's eve. Nermeen Edrees takes a closer look at Nora's blog to bring us this story.

11 January 2009

Palestine: “How many deaths in Gaza is enough?”

As the Israeli attacks on Gaza continue, in this roundup of Gaza's blogs we hear about food shortages, the frustration of being stuck at home, the humour of medical workers - and a question from a young boy: "Mama – why don't the Israeli soldiers think before they shoot people?"

10 January 2009

Costa Rica: 6.2 Earthquake leaves nationals and tourists stranded

A 6.2 Earthquake that was felt throughout Costa Rica, with the epicenter in Vara Blanca only 35 Km. away from the capital city of San José. In the Central Valley, damages consist of cracks and damaged goods fallen from shelves, however, the situation near the epicenter is devastating, as mountainsides collapsed and landslides caused flooding. It has yet to be estimated how many possible victims, although 3 deaths have been confirmed.

9 January 2009

Egyptian bloggers visit injured Palestinians

Several groups of injured Palestinians crossed into the Egyptian territory via the Rafah Crossing and blogger Ahmed Al Sabbagh and Mohamed Hamdy organized a morale-boosting visit to the Red Crescent Hospital.

8 January 2009

Palestine: “In Gaza, we are subject to news but cannot see TVs”

Yesterday (6 January) a UN school in Jabaliya refugee camp which was being used as a shelter, was struck by Israeli shells and about 40 people killed. Today, the Israeli military suspended its military operations for three hours, to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip. In this post we hear the reactions of bloggers in Gaza.

8 January 2009

Taiwan: Citizens against Gaza Conflict

Two pledge and joint signature movements against Gaza conflict just started at almost the same time today in Taiwan. One is initiated (zh) by Chuiyung Cheung(張翠容), a senior HK journalist and...

7 January 2009

Syria: Gaza On Our Minds

Syrian bloggers are in a frenzy since the bombing in Gaza started almost two weeks ago. To many Syrians this comes from a deep long rooted identification with the cause of the Palestinian people. But for some, there's also a very personal side to it. Yazan Badran reports.

7 January 2009

Bangla Blogs: Praying For Peace In Gaza

“What's happening in Gaza is impossible to tolerate,” writes blogger Aprio, encapsulating in those few words the Bangla blogosphere's sentiments towards what most of them see as ‘Israeli aggression against...

7 January 2009

Egypt: Shake and Bake

Does Israel use illegal phosphorus shells in Gaza? Do both parties should end military activities? And how about Arab countries canceling new years parties?.. Egy Diva asks.

6 January 2009

Egypt: From Egyptian Artists to Artists of the World

Egyptian artists are lending their voices to the Palestinian cause, explaining to the rest of the world the history of the Arab-Israeli struggle from their view point. The initiative, spearheaded by Khaled El Sawy, a famous Egyptian actor and blogger, is called "A message from Egyptian artists to all artists of the world", and is targeted towards non-Arabs.

6 January 2009

Palestine: UN School Hit By Israeli Shells; More than 40 Killed

At approximately 6:00 p.m. (GMT+2), Al Jazeera English reported that a UN school was hit when two tank shells exploded outside of the school. The school, located in Jabaliya, had been set up days ago as a shelter for Gaza residents who had lost or evacuated their homes. Over 40 people have been killed. Jillian York presents immediate reactions from the blogosphere and Twitter.

6 January 2009

Palestine: “In Gaza our future is almost destroyed”

In this roundup of blogposts from Gaza we hear from a teenager who just lost her friend and is scared for her own life, about a medical worker who was killed as he went to save someone, and from a man who asserts his lack of political affiliation: "I'm not Fatah, not Hamas. I like vodka."

6 January 2009