TresSugar

Almost 200,000 Flee Violence in Pakistan

LibertySugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0700

Following an offensive by Pakistani forces against militants, as many as 190,000 Pakistanis and Afghans have fled their homes, according to reports given to the UN High Commission Refugees. Most refugees, running from the clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, are staying with host families in either country.

In the Bajaur region of Pakistan, government jets hit insurgent trenches, killing five, today. Another attack left 12 extremists dead, along with two progovernment tribesmen. Since the offensive began,1,000 rebel fighters and Taliban militants have been killed, according to Pakistan.

Today's strikes came the same day religious scholars and political parties announced that suicide bombs violate Islam and are illegitimate in Pakistan. Looks like the Pakistani government is going on the military and moral offensive to stop extremists. Hopefully the refugees make it home safely.

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Srouce

Ben Affleck Debuts His "Gimme Shelter" Congo Video to UN

Molly — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 03:00:00 -0800

Ben Affleck went in front of the UN yesterday to present a short film he directed, with the help of Mick Jagger and cinematographer John Toll, to launch a new $23 million initiative to help Congolese refugees. The short, "Gimme Shelter" is set to the classic Rolling Stones song used with permission, and was shot last month when Affleck made a trip to visit refugee camps in the Congo. From here, the film will be released worldwide to help raise awareness about UNHCR and the needs of the 1.3 million displaced people in the area. Check out the video below and let us know - do you think it's effective?

Group of Clowns Among Iraqi Refugees Fleeing Violence

LibertySugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:00:33 -0800

The Happy Family Clown Group recently fled Iraq after two of its members were senselessly murdered. Unsure of why they were targeted, the three remaining clowns sought exile in Syria, a country that receives 1,000 Iraqis refugees each day.

The Iraqi clowns registered with the United Nation's refugee agency (UNHCR). They now are making the most of their exile, working with the UNHCR and performing their show "A Child Is as Scared as a Country" for refugee children.

The UN estimates that 4.2 million Iraqis have left their homes. Approximately 1 million live a difficult life in Syria, where they cannot work legally. Many would love to return to Iraq, but like the Happy Family Clown Group, they fear for their safety and their lives. For some comprehensive information on the refugee situation in Iraq, check out the UNHCR's Iraq refugee site. You know the violence is bad when clowns are the targets.

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Violence on Pakistan Border Causes Thousands to Flee

CitizenSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:43 -0700

Yesterday, al Qaeda released a video criticizing the Pakistani government for having no concern over the welfare of Muslims. This after Pakistani officials reported a successful attack, which repelled nearly fifty militants attempting to cross from Afghanistan into Pakistan. Skirmishes like these are increasing as both American and Pakistani troops begin a new offensive to root out both Taliban and al Qaeda troops who have found refuge along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

In this new outbreak of violence most of the victims are civilians. Twenty thousand of residents are fleeing into Eastern Pakistan after suicide attacks in the past 15 months have caused the deaths of nearly 1,200 people. A spokesperson for the UNHCR says, "In the last two weeks alone, over 600 Pakistani families have fled into Afghanistan. While the vast majority of them are living with their relatives and friends, there are already some 200 families who live in the open air." In the Northern Pakistan region of Bajur, it is now estimated that nearly half a million are now displaced.

Political violence has also risen in response to the Pakistani military siege last year of the Red Mosque, an attack that killed nearly 100 people. Since then there have been 88 suicide attacks, which have taken the lives of nearly 1,200 people, the vast amount, nearly 847, were civilians.

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The Long-Neck Women of Thailand Live in a Zoo

CitizenSugar — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 11:00:03 -0700

I love finding compelling stories when I'm least expecting them - it almost seems like the tale is twice as striking given the company it keeps. Marie Claire has really oomphed up their international coverage lately, and I came across this story of the long-neck women of the Kayan tribe in Thailand.

The piece follows one woman named Zember who's removed her neck coil in protest of "Thailand’s shameful secret: that the long-neck women are Burmese refugees who are being prevented by Thai authorities from taking up asylum overseas. As a lucrative tourist attraction, the women are forced to live in a virtual human zoo."

The 500 or so Kayan women fled the brutal military regime in neighboring Burma 20 years ago to live in Thailand and have been confined in three guarded villages on the northern Thai border ever since. About 40,000 tourists every year pay about $8 each to stare at the women’s distinctive giraffe-like appearance. They're paid a meager salary of 1500 baht ($45) a month selling souvenirs and postcards.

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Zember sums up the harsh reality saying:

Some people of my mother’s generation say they are too old [to leave] now, but no one is happy. We have no freedom and life is very hard. . . The [Western] girls look so free and sexy, and their eyes shine. I stare at them and feel even more determined to fight to get out of here.

The whole piece has more pictures of the women and a place to send letters to the Thai Embassy and the UNHCR, the UN's refugee agency. Are you surprised to learn something that seems cultural is really government oppression?

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Angelina Jolie: US Should Step Up Iraq Humanitarian Support

LibertySugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:12 -0800

The US should step up its material and financial support to the 4 million displaced Iraqis, Angelina Jolie wrote yesterday in an op-ed in the Washington Post.

Angelina, a UN goodwill ambassador, appealed to US congressional leaders and presidential candidates to include as part of their Iraq strategy a comprehensive and specific refugee plan. She pointed out that the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) has asked for $261 million in funding, less than the US spends each day in Iraq.

As for the surge, Angelina wrote that during her visit to Iraq, international humanitarian workers told her that they felt that recent conditions in Iraq have allowed them to step up their programs. Angelina implored Americans:

"It seems to me that now is the moment to address the humanitarian side of this situation. Without the right support, we could miss an opportunity to do some of the good we always stated we intended to do."

It's wonderful that Angelina is drawing attention to the refugee crisis. As she argued, millions of homeless and jobless Iraqis in the heart of the Middle East could have grave security repercussions. Do you think the US must keep the troop levels high in order to improve the humanitarian situation?

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