Mediawatch
AlertNet scours the world's media for provocative articles on humanitarian themes. Below are our choice pickings, updated daily.
Somalia crisis languishes in Darfur's shadow
By Nina Brenjo
Think of a humanitarian crisis in Africa. Among Western publics, the most popular response is likely to be Darfur. Thanks to campaigners, aid workers and the media, the conflict in Sudan's western region has been firmly placed on the international political agenda.
But, as is demonstrated time and time again, not all crises are created equal. Take Somalia, for example. As the New York Times reports, it's quickly earning the title of the worst humanitarian crisis on the continent. But the plight of its long-suffering people has gone unnoticed for years, and there's little to suggest that's changing.
... Full article
By Nina Brenjo
Think of a humanitarian crisis in Africa. Among Western publics, the most popular response is likely to be Darfur. Thanks to campaigners, aid workers and the media, the conflict in Sudan's western region has been firmly placed on the international political agenda.
But, as is demonstrated time and time again, not all crises are created equal. Take Somalia, for example. As the New York Times reports, it's quickly earning the title of the worst humanitarian crisis on the continent. But the plight of its long-suffering people has gone unnoticed for years, and there's little to suggest that's changing.
... Full article
In the malaria fight, it's people or the environment
By Nina Brenjo
When you're faced with a disease like malaria, which still kills at least a million people a year, what do you prioritise - the environment or people's lives?
It's the environment that gets put first, according Paul Driessen, author of "Eco-Imperialism: Green Power, Black Death". "Misguided aid agencies, radical environmentalists and pseudo ethicists" are failing to save lives in Africa because "these activists in malaria-free countries dislike chemicals", he says in the online magazine spiked.
... Full article
By Nina Brenjo
When you're faced with a disease like malaria, which still kills at least a million people a year, what do you prioritise - the environment or people's lives?
It's the environment that gets put first, according Paul Driessen, author of "Eco-Imperialism: Green Power, Black Death". "Misguided aid agencies, radical environmentalists and pseudo ethicists" are failing to save lives in Africa because "these activists in malaria-free countries dislike chemicals", he says in the online magazine spiked.
... Full article
Mexico floods: Lives saved, but what about livelihoods?
By Nina Brenjo
The response to last month's flooding in Mexico shows disaster preparedness has come a long way in Latin America. But mitigating the economic damage that natural disasters leave in their wake has proven to be much harder, writes Britain's Economist .
Almost a decade ago, 11,000 people died when Hurricane Mitch hit Central America. Compared with Mitch, the death toll of 25 from flooding and landslides in Mexico's Tabasco and Chiapas state has been "relatively light", according to the magazine. The main difference is that these days people are more likely to be evacuated well in advance.
... Full article
By Nina Brenjo
The response to last month's flooding in Mexico shows disaster preparedness has come a long way in Latin America. But mitigating the economic damage that natural disasters leave in their wake has proven to be much harder, writes Britain's Economist .
Almost a decade ago, 11,000 people died when Hurricane Mitch hit Central America. Compared with Mitch, the death toll of 25 from flooding and landslides in Mexico's Tabasco and Chiapas state has been "relatively light", according to the magazine. The main difference is that these days people are more likely to be evacuated well in advance.
... Full article
Could more time and money heal Kosovo's wounds?
By Nina Brenjo
Rumours of a U.S. draft proposal to delay the decision on Kosovo's future status until 2020 have provoked strong reactions among both Serbs and Kosovo Albanians - but not all their views are entirely at odds.
The proposal, outlined to Balkan Insight and Kosovo's daily Express by an unnamed, senior source in the U.S. State Department, includes some pay-off money. .
... Full article
By Nina Brenjo
Rumours of a U.S. draft proposal to delay the decision on Kosovo's future status until 2020 have provoked strong reactions among both Serbs and Kosovo Albanians - but not all their views are entirely at odds.
The proposal, outlined to Balkan Insight and Kosovo's daily Express by an unnamed, senior source in the U.S. State Department, includes some pay-off money. .
... Full article
Why is Africa poor? Economic policy versus culture
By Nina Brenjo
Why is it that some parts of the world can't seem to escape the poverty trap, while others have enjoyed successful economic growth for decades?
The answer, according to economist Gregory Clark, is these countries' culture, rather than their economic policies. His arguments are summed up by Robert J. Samuelson, writing in the Washington Post.
... Full article
Next entries
By Nina Brenjo
Why is it that some parts of the world can't seem to escape the poverty trap, while others have enjoyed successful economic growth for decades?
The answer, according to economist Gregory Clark, is these countries' culture, rather than their economic policies. His arguments are summed up by Robert J. Samuelson, writing in the Washington Post.
... Full article
