Charting US media coverage of conflicts
The Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism has just released its annual "State of the News Media", looking at the American news industry and its coverage of a huge variety of subject matter. The full report is a whopping 180,000 words, but if you want a
Helping communities in Cambodia save for change
This blog is written by Soleak Seang, Regional Communications Officer with Oxfam America's East Asia Regional Office. When Sean Ing first heard of "Saving for Change" in January 2009, she was skeptical. But Ing had a big expense coming up - her daughter's
Senegal: Climate change vs. Development Policies
When standing on the shore line at Rufisque L'est, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Dakar, Senegal, it's hard not to buy into apocalyptic climate change scenarios. The beach is gone. Wharves built by the French colonists, once linked to the shore, have b
Building homes from sticks and twigs in South Sudan
This blog is written by Helen Mould of Islamic Relief who recently visited Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan to report on the drought and food shortages in the region. While in South Sudan she visited Wau and Tonj North County in Warrap State. Islamic Relief
Davos talk turns to Haiti
Lesley-Anne Knight, Secretary General, Caritas Internationalis writes from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The theme of this year's World Economic Forum annual meeting at Davos is "Rethink, Redesign and Rebuild". When the theme was chosen m
Haiti and beyond: preparing for the next disaster
One part of the tragedy in Haiti is how unprepared the country was to deal with the earthquake on 12 January. Yet the risk is well established. And Haiti is equally vulnerable to the equally visible risk of hurricanes. Haiti is not alone in this lack of re
Why the media prefer natural disasters
If only Sri Lanka last year could have got a tenth of the media attention Haiti's now getting, lamented my friend who was working in Colombo at the time, "the public pressure might have saved so many lives." While no one would ever argue with the amount
Civilians Should Lead Aid Effort in Haiti
Refugees International is distressed by the magnitude of the destruction and loss of life as the result of the January 12 earthquake in Haiti. We express our condolences to the families of the victims, many of whom were already facing a daily struggle to s
Eastern Congo: "Women are afraid they could be raped any night here"
Julie had just blown out the kerosene lamp and was lying in bed next to her husband when suddenly the stillness of the night was pierced by enraged shouts and the sound of a door being kicked open. Eight armed men burst into her house in a small village in
Ten Humanitarian Headlines for 2010
It's now standard to wrap up the year with lists of ten: best films; greatest sporting moments; most influential people. In the spirit of a hopeful start to the New Year and decade, I propose a different sort of list: ten events we'd like to see in the wo