It’s a big world out there. And it’s complicated. Trying to understand the way that cause and effect flows across political lines and state lines is difficult. Cultural borders are often just as difficult to define. The groups profiled below negotiate that world effectively and gracefully.
Whether you’re working in Laos, London, or Lincoln Nebraska there’s plenty we can learn from these folks.
By Reid on 13 February 2010
As weeks have passed, we’ve been able to see the global response to the eco-humanitarian crisis in Haiti in a post-katrina world. US media efforts to cover the crisis have left me with the impression that lessons were learned. In the immediate afternmath of Katrina, we saw an American media quickly adopt a racist response [...]
James White
One of my favorite designers/visual artists, James White, is donating all the proceeds from his sales this week to the relief effort in Haiti. This is a great chance to pick up one of his pieces. This should be an example of how ordinary folks can continue to do their thing and make a positive impact.
Check out his site here: Signal Noise
Photo: Gerald Herbert / Associated Press
Take a few minutes to look through this photo essay presented by the Wall Street Journal. The photos express the scope and tragedy in a way that the newscasts do not.
See all the photos here: Link
Here are a handful of the many amazing organizations that will use your donation to get money to Haiti. As sad as it may seem, in times like these many people fraudulently take advantage of people wanting to donate to relief efforts. If you’re going to donate (which you should), do it from a secure web page that belongs directly to the organization you’re choosing to support.
Note the difference between these 2 web addresses: http://support.doctorswithoutborders.org & http://doctorswithoutborders.scamwebsite.org
Unicef
Doctors without Borders
Direct Relief
Oxfam
World Food Programme
International Medical Core
Yele Haiti
Mercy Corps
American Red Cross
Save the Children
The losses that have been suffered in Haiti are nothing less than devastating, and responding to a disaster of this magnitude will require every element of our national capacity — our diplomacy and development assistance; the power of our military; and, most importantly, the compassion of our country.
Read the whole release here: Link
Here’s a great post from CodePink that will hopefully bump everyone’s cynicism down a touch.
Today is Universal Human Rights Day. I’ve discovered a world of fantastic videos highlighting and promoting this. Is your organization doing the same?
“Experience universal human rights the animated way with this latest moving creation by Eallin Animation from the Czech Republic and Art for Amnesty.”
There’s an interesting article on the ONE blog about some of the unmentioned effects that war has on a population. On average, child mortality rates have dropped across the globe. Sadly, there are some exceptions to this where they’ve actually increased. The article points out the obvious, but so rarely discussed side effect to conflict. War disrupts and displaces people. It makes it harder for kids to get food, clean water, and health care. Check out this post about the Central African Republic.
By Reid on 09 December 2009
Anywhere from 50,000 to 400,000 refugees have fled North Korea to neighboring countries despite risking torture and execution if caught. Issues such as famine, a lack of fundamental freedoms, and a fear of political imprisonment incite North Koreans to escape. Reaching China does not, however, guarantee their safety—China repatriates all North Koreans who [...]
Here are a handful of great organizations that publish stories that you won't hear elsewhere. Check em out.
