Sustainable Good

Amnesty International Calls for Action on Sri Lanka

The human rights group Amnesty International warned yesterday that "An all-out massacre is about to take place in Sri Lanka any day now" if the international community did not intervene rapidly to save civilians in the war zone.

Five Good Non-Fiction Books on Africa

1. “Africa: A Biography of the Continent,” by John Reader. A wide-reaching and sweeping look at trends and broader explanations for the way things are, covering history, geography, anthropology, biology and politics. While it is a thick tome (some 700 pages) it manages to be engaging, interesting and easy to read. This would be a good place to start for the interested newcomer to African issues.

2. “Africa Works: Disorder as a Political Instrument,” by Patrick Chabal and Jean-Pascal Daloz. A lucid and theoretically-rich exposition of African politics. Describing how systems of patronage operate within the context of modern states, Chabal and Daloz provide powerful explanations for conflict, corruption and poor economic development. It also introduces English-speakers to the rich seam of francophone research and literature about Africa.

Call to Action: War-torn families escape and ask for help

The civil war in Sri Lanka is coming to a climax, trapping as many as 100,000 people in the cross-fire. You’ve probably seen it in the media.

Only half have escaped so far, and according to the United Nations, many more remain trapped, looking to escape. With newly escaped groups likely to reach safe districts in as soon as 48 hours (according to UN reports), your support is needed most urgently!

Outreach International benefits over 150,000 people in communities in Sri Lanka. We are already on the ground and ready to help the displaced victims forced to flee south from livelihoods, homes and families as the conflict intensifies.

Outreach International needs your support to help the refugees that will soon arrive in our communities, desperately hoping for assistance. 

They need help and they need it right away.

Harishke Samaranayake, a member of our Sri Lankan team commented, “Water and sanitation is one of the biggest issues here.” An International Red Cross spokeswoman also said recently, “The humanitarian conditions in the conflict area are very grim.” The next 48 hours are critical to meet the needs of displaced families.

Please help the displaced families seeking refuge, safety and security by sending your donation today.

Our Sri Lankan team has already started collecting dry food and health care items, ensuring that food supplies, clean water and sanitation are supplied for the refugees. Sadly, the needs of women and children are especially great.

Please donate. A gift of $25 or more will help victims not only today in our relief effort, but also in the long term commitment of Sustainable Good around the world.

Thank you for sending immediate assistance to the families in Sri Lanka.


Sincerely,
Matthew C. Naylor, President
Outreach International

Zambia Floods Affect 700,000

Zambia is having the worst flooding it has experienced in 40 years, following an unusually heavy rainy season. Government estimates suggest some 600,000 to 700,000 people "have been either displaced or severely crippled" by the flooding. Click here to learn more.

Outreach International has worked in Zambia for many years, helping develop sustainable community organizations, improving agriculture and increasing access to clean water and sanitation. Click here to learn more about Outreach International's programs in Zambia.  Click here to read a story about Outreach International's impact on one particular Zambian community.

-Matthew Bolton

Sudanese Government Goes on Offensive against NGOs

In retaliation for the International Criminal Court's indictment of the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes in Darfur, the Sudanese government has revoked the registration of over a dozen humanitarian agencies operating in the country.  Some of the groups affected include Oxfam GB, CARE, Save the Children UK, the Norwegian Refugee Council, MSF-Netherlands, the International Rescue Committee, Action Against Hunger, CHF International, Mercy Corps and Solidarites.

Millions of Sudanese, especially in the Darfur region, rely on humanitarian assistance, such as food and medical care, from such groups.  Many have been displaced by the fighting in Darfur which the US government has called a genocide.  The decision will also affect over 6000 humanitarian workers.

For reactions from aid workers in Sudan, read this excellent article from AlertNet.

It is still unclear what consequences the indictment will have on the people of Sudan. The International Crisis Group called it a "a welcome and crucial step towards challenging the impunity that has worsened conflict in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan."  However, they also acknowledge that the Sudanese government could use this as an opportunity to "direct, or encourage, violence against the millions of displaced Darfuris living in camps in the war-torn region."

For background on the history of the conflicts in Sudan, see the AlertNet briefing or read the in-depth reports from International Crisis Group. To read an interesting blog about the current crisis, click here.

-Matthew Bolton

Hope Based On Openness

“Why are you here?” voiced a 12 year old boy living in a refugee camp on the border of Darfur, Sudan.  When Canadian Senator Mobina Jaffer, who at the time in 2005 was Canada’s Special Envoy to Sudan, started to reply, the boy interrupted – “No, I mean why are you wasting your time here? – it’s too late for us!  You should be in Iraq helping people before they end up like us in refugee camps!” 

Upon returning to Canada, when Senator Jaffer told a group of us this story, I asked her what might have been the hidden agenda of the boy -- maybe family trying to make him look special and gain favour, or someone using him to make a political statement?  In this particular case, she couldn’t see one – it simply seemed to be a spontaneous, honest reaction. 

 

 

Gaza Crisis: A Human Rights Disaster!

"I’ve just come from the Congressional briefing by representatives of Israeli human rights organizations sponsored by Americans for Peace Now, Churches for Middle East Peace and other groups.

These groups are doing invaluable work to provide a clear picture of what’s happening in Gaza and to preserve human ties between Israelis and Palestinians.

The organizations have joined to provide information at the blog site: http://www.gazaeng.blogspot.com

Their current summary of the dead and injured:

Gaza: at least 700 killed, of them at least 240 children and 100 women. More than half those killed since the ground incursion began (313) are women and children. Over 3,100 injured, of them over 350 severely injured. Israel: 10 killed, of them 1 woman and 7 soldiers. Over 68 civilians injured, of them 4 severely injured, not including those treated for shock, and 60 soldiers injured, of them one in critical condition."

The Continuing Israel/Gaza Conflict

It seems as though all three of my new year's hopes have been summarily dashed by the Israel/Gaza conflict.  

The Washington Post reports that about 625 Palestinians have been killed and almost 3,000 injured in Gaza.  The UN states that about a third of these have been women and children. This comes on top of an already tough situation because of the Israeli blockades of basic essentials like food, oil, and medicines.  Simply speaking, the humanitarian crisis is quite dire.

Today, Israel implemented a three hour cease-fire so that humanitarian aid can reach some of the Palestinians who are desperately hanging on to their lives.  But many did not feel safe enough to retrieve the sacks of flour and packages of medicines from the UN Relief and Works Agency.

Gaza Crisis: Little Food, Rocket Attacks, Israel Strikes = Even Less Food, Even More Violence

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is extremely complex and is rooted in the last 60 years of failed policy. However, I think that one of the main causes of the most recent outbreak in violence is the blockade that Israel is placed on Palestine that has made the situation there absolutely horrible. There was a shortage of everything--food, water, medical supplies--even before the Israeli attack started four days ago.

A six month truce between Israel and Palestine that resulted in a severe reduction in violence during that period ended less than a week ago. And now look what is happening. During the truce, Israel still wasn't letting adequate supplies into Gaza.

Is it any wonder that Hamas is shooting rockets at Israel? When people are struggling for the simple necessities of life, they do desperate things.

Studies Show--Development Pays

It is the arguement that the Sustainable Good blog was founded on and Outreach International works from every day: doing long-term development is much more successful than short-term, reactionary humanitarian aid. And one of my coworkers found a great report by the Center for American Progress with evidence to back this up. The report called "The Cost of Reaction: The Long-Term Costs of Short-Term Cures" argues that the United States has been pursuing short-term solutions to development for much too long, at the detriment to the safety and security of everyone, including the self-serving interests of the U.S.

The report argues that U.S. foreign aid is much too reactive, instead of proactive. Much of the funding the U.S. provides goes toward areas after conflict or disaster in the form of humanitarian or security (military) aid. After the crisis has subsided, or the U.S. interest in the region diminishes, aid "flatlines." This has created an aid system that is incapable of doing anything but emergencies services. Imagine a hospital where after the emergency is averted there is no follow-up, no cures offered, no ability to help prevent the next emergency.

Uganda Rising

This week I have been attending a film festival in Kampala, Uganda, run by Makerere University Law School and the Refugee Law Project, aimed at spurring discussion on ways forward in the country’s peace process.

While things are more peaceful these days, Uganda has suffered from a devastating conflict in its northern region for some 20 years. Over 1 million people were forcibly displaced into camps by government troops, 25,000 children were abducted by brutal rebel forces that believe they are divinely inspired.  The country now faces the challenges of reintegrating former rebels, mostly abducted children.  It struggles with hope best to seek justice and accountability while also recognizing the need for reconciliation.

Last night I saw a particularly impressive documentary called Uganda Rising (available from www.ugandarising.com) that delves into the roots of this conflict, tells the story of survivors and provides sophisticated analysis from academics and policymakers.

Tips on Serving in the Developing World

Living in Uganda, I run across many young North Americans and Europeans who have come seeking to help out with aid efforts.  Uganda certainly has a lot of need, coming out of a lengthy civil war and burdened by high levels of poverty.

However, the influx of international charities, while spurring economic growth, has also contributed to inflation, especially in land prices. Many local people feel expectations of aid have not been met and are suspicious that foreign aid workers come for self-serving reasons such as career development, resume-padding, high paying salaries or ‘adventure.’

Such issues are unfortunately quite common in aid ‘hot spots’ – disaster and conflict zones that receive intensive international political and media attention. When the excitement dies down, additional problems arise from the rapid withdrawal of personnel and agencies moving onto the next big cause celebre disaster.

Based on my experience working as an aid worker, researcher and journalist in several such ‘hot spots’, I have observed several ways in which good-hearted young people can serve in the developing world while minimizing burdens on local people.

Help influence our media

May I summarize the last posts by Jeff, Stephen and Matt?

I remember reading quite awhile ago (hence no source, sorry) about media attitudes toward people in different parts of the world and it went something like this: If one American is killed, it's newsworthy.  After that the journalistic worth of other people around the world looks much like this math equation: 1 American = 10 Europeans = 100 Asians =1,000 Central/South Americans = 10,000 Africans.  This is now the unspoken rule when it comes to those "Breaking News" headlines.  Africans just don't qualify as important unless tens of thousands are massacred or killed -- and even then, the story has a quick shelf life. 

Urgent Appeal from Haiti!

The people of Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, need our help. This is a way for us to respond in a way that can be trusted. Many times we worry that emergency aid will be wasted by corrupt politicians. However, any donations we make will be go from Outreach International to affected Haitians in responsible ways that promote their dignity.

-Stephen Donahoe

Remember Haiti!

Just a reminder:

While the US has been relatively spared from hurricane season, Haiti has not!  Please don't forget our not-so-far-away neighbors.  Outreach-International makes it easy to donate and you can be rest assured that the money will not be wasted.

This picture is from the NY times and they've written an article about the victims in Haiti.

-Karyn Wingard-Manuel