humanitarian aid

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Sudan's Expulsion of Aid Groups Imperils Region

President kicked Oxfam, others out after ICC war crimes charges

(Newser) - The expulsion of international aid groups from Sudan not only raises the risk of starvation for millions of people in Darfur's refugee camps, but is also sparking fears of increased violence by rebel groups opposed to President Omar al-Bashir, the Christian Science Monitor reports. "People with weapons are everywhere,...

Israel Captures Gaza Aid Boat

Aid will be delivered, members handed to police: navy

(Newser) - The Israeli navy today intercepted a ship delivering 60 tons of supplies from Lebanon to the Gaza Strip and said it is towing the vessel into an Israeli port. The ship left Lebanon two days ago in a bid to defy Israel's blockade of Gaza. Arab TV reporters who are...

UN: Hamas Seized Food, Blankets

Hamas claims aid was going to opponents

(Newser) - Hamas police in Gaza seized thousands of blankets and food parcels meant for needy residents, the AP reports, threatening to fracture relations between the international agency that cares for most of Gaza's residents and the territory's militant rulers. A UN spokesman called the incident "absolutely unacceptable."

Japan, Help Us Wrestle the World's Problems
Japan, Help Us Wrestle
the World's Problems
ANALYSIS

Japan, Help Us Wrestle the World's Problems

(Newser) - Japan's economic collapse in the 1990s and its decades of US dependence have left the nation rather timid, Christian Caryl writes in Newsweek. But its strong economy, bold environmental moves, and likely change of government this year will leave it poised to help the world. “The only trick now,...

UN Asks Davos for $613M in Gaza Aid

Funds would provide immediate aid, more money needed for long-term

(Newser) - The UN asked attendees at the Davos economic forum for $613 million to address “massive and multi-faceted” needs resulting from recent violence in Gaza, the BBC reports. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon says the funds will provide medical care and clean water for 6-9 months. As fresh violence heightened the need...

Obama Lifts Abortion 'Gag Rule'

(Newser) - President Obama today overturned the “gag rule” prohibiting the US from funding groups that provide abortions or abortion counseling overseas, Reuters reports. The policy has been enforced and rescinded depending on the Oval Office occupant since it was instituted under President Reagan. Unlike yesterday's high-profile signing ceremony, today's executive...

Israel Again Pauses to Let Gaza Aid in

Death toll reaches 898 as new humanitarian supplies arrive

(Newser) - For the fifth day Israel has paused in its onslaught of Gaza to allow residents to retrieve food and supplies, CNN reports. Israel allowed 160 trucks through two border crossings but said it would resume attacks after three hours. Although one Israeli official suggested that the operation may soon conclude,...

Gaza Blowup Could've Been Avoided: Carter
Gaza Blowup Could've Been Avoided: Carter
OPINION

Gaza Blowup Could've Been Avoided: Carter

Agreement on aid crossings would've prevented recent violence

(Newser) - The destruction being visited upon Gaza could easily have been avoided, Jimmy Carter writes in the Washington Post. The former president, during visits last year, saw both the effects of Hamas rockets on Israeli communities, and the misery and malnutrition caused by the Gaza blockade. He details his own efforts,...

UN Halts Gaza Aid, Citing Israeli Attacks

(Newser) - The United Nations today halted all aid deliveries to the besieged Gaza Strip, citing a series of Israeli attacks on UN staff and installations. The announcement came shortly after the driver of a UN truck was killed by tank fire as he was headed to an Israeli border crossing to...

60 Strikes Pound Gaza Overnight

Mosque used as hideout leveled; death toll nears 700

(Newser) - Israel intensified its airstrikes in Gaza last night, reports CNN, bombing about 60 targets across the Strip on the 13th day of the operation. One of the targets was a mosque that the Israeli military claims stored weapons and sheltered Hamas fighters. The airstrikes also targeted 10 Hamas tunnels used...

Cynicism Key to Israel's Arsenal
Cynicism Key to Israel's Arsenal 
OPINION

Cynicism Key to Israel's Arsenal

Aid to Palestinians 'not unlike raising animals for slaughter,' as Tel Aviv acts ever the victim

(Newser) - “The promulgation of a hyper-nationalist ethos” in Israeli media coverage of the Gaza situation doesn’t surprise Neve Gordon, he writes in the Nation—what’s unsettling is the cynical war ethic emerging around humanitarian aid. As one reporter explains, Israel gives assistance to Palestinians during times of war...

Jolie Returns, Moved, From Afghanistan Trip

Goodwill ambassador visited refugees, urges international aid

(Newser) - Angelina Jolie made a trip to Afghanistan last week in her role as goodwill ambassador for the United Nations, spending two days among the country's returning refugees. The actress visited sites where thousands of Afghans live in makeshift housing and struggle to find work, problems that typify the stress the...

Bush Plans $1B for Georgia Ahead of Cheney Visit

Navy set to deliver more supplies; VP touts 'deep and abiding interest' in region

(Newser) - President Bush wants another $1 billion in economic aid for Georgia, the AP reports. An announcement is scheduled for later today, even as Vice President Dick Cheney is continuing a tour of former Soviet states that will take him to Georgia tomorrow. Meanwhile, a third US Navy ship entered the...

India Struggles to Save Millions in Flood

Villagers turning desperate, living on uncooked rice and polluted water

(Newser) - Rescue helicopters are trying to save villagers in India after a dam flooded thousands of towns this month, killing 85, displacing 2 million, and wrecking a quarter-million acres of farmland, the Daily Telegraph reports. Torrential rain kept helicopters grounded for most of yesterday as one boat capsized, killing 20. “...

Second US Ship Docks in Georgia
 Second US Ship
 Docks in Georgia

Second US Ship Docks in Georgia

Russians say move is 'devilish'

(Newser) - A US military ship docked at the Georgian port of Batumi today on a humanitarian aid mission, the AP reports. Early reports had the ship headed to Poti, which was heavily damaged and is still occupied by Russian troops, but Batumi is well south of the combat zone. One top...

US Aid Ship Arrives in Georgia
 US Aid Ship Arrives in Georgia

US Aid Ship Arrives in Georgia

(Newser) - A US Navy warship carrying humanitarian aid anchored at the Georgian port of Batumi today, sending a strong signal of support to an embattled ally as Russian forces built up around two separatist regions. But a top Russian general suggested that the presence of US and other NATO ships in...

US Military Showing Softer Side
 US Military Showing Softer Side 
ANALYSIS

US Military Showing Softer Side

Greater emphasis on humanitarian operations seen by some as 'out of whack'

(Newser) - Despite recent focus on shooting wars, the Defense Department has tweaked the core mission of US armed forces to promote “soft power,” such as humanitarian aid, the Boston Globe reports. Some civilian onlookers say the foreign policy is “out of whack,” and “too dominated by...

Gift Cows Give Hope to Kosovo War Widows

Aid group helps heal the wounds of war in Europe's fledgling country

(Newser) - A Dutch organization is helping steer Kosovo's war widows toward a brighter future, Radio Free Netherlands reports. Many were left to fend for themselves after losing loved ones in the war against Serbia; now the Dutch group The Bridge is giving them cows to put food on the table and...

Junta Leader Visits Nargis Victims as UN Envoy Arrives

General meets survivors for first time since cyclone hit

(Newser) - The head of Burma's junta emerged today for the first time since cyclone Nargis struck two weeks ago to meet with survivors, CNN reports. Gen. Than Shwe visited a refugee camp 200 miles south of Yangon, touching the faces of infant survivors. The visit came as the UN's humanitarian secretary...

Analysts Urge Washington to Invade Burma

Others advise against forcing aid on devastated country

(Newser) - Analysts and aid workers appalled by Burma’s attitude to foreign aid are urging Washington to invade, Time reports. One observer has called for the US to airlift food regardless of the junta’s restrictions; a retired general wants China to pacify Burma about US aid, or Thailand to paint...

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