Herat: The human consequences
By Lynn Yoshikawa Fri, 05/27/2011 - 14:00
It’s my first time to Herat, a 2,500-year-old city in Afghanistan’s “wild west.” Compared to other Afghan cities, it certainly feels wealthier and is better organized with its tree-lined avenues and stoplights, which are actually respected by drivers and motorcyclists. Despite some semblance of order, criminality and the drug trade abounds and insecurity looms just outside the city limits.
Mladic's arrest brings justice and a lesson
By Lionel Rosenblatt Thu, 05/26/2011 - 16:10
When I heard that "General" Ratko Mladic had been arrested to be sent for trial at the International Court at the Hague, I was very happy.
My first thought was how happy Richard Holbrooke would have been!
For me, and I believe for Richard, Mladic was the man with the very most innocent blood on his hands. He seemed to have great gusto for killing civilians and commanded the forces who followed his lead.
My first thought was how happy Richard Holbrooke would have been!
For me, and I believe for Richard, Mladic was the man with the very most innocent blood on his hands. He seemed to have great gusto for killing civilians and commanded the forces who followed his lead.
Kabul: Outside the Oases
By Dara McLeod Tue, 05/24/2011 - 12:15This post originally appeared on The Hill's Congress blog.
I arrived in Afghanistan last week with my Refugees International colleagues to assess the needs of displaced people in this war-torn country. This is my first visit to Afghanistan, and it defies expectations.
Abyei: Pawns in a Deadly Game
By Andrea Lari Mon, 05/23/2011 - 13:12
The town of Abyei is once again burning. Nearly six weeks before South Sudan becomes an independent nation, the Sudanese army has blatantly seized this town. In an all too familiar scene, civilians are again the victims of deadly power-grabbing.
I spent a few days in Abyei a couple of months ago. The purpose of the trip was to assess the difficulties encountered by southern Sudanese returning home after years of displacement in the north of the country.
I spent a few days in Abyei a couple of months ago. The purpose of the trip was to assess the difficulties encountered by southern Sudanese returning home after years of displacement in the north of the country.
Colombia: Water, Water Everywhere
By Alice Thomas Thu, 05/19/2011 - 16:15Unprecedented rain that has hammered Colombia over the past year has affected three million people and left hundreds of thousands homeless. In March, I spent three weeks traveling across the Caribbean region visiting families displaced by the floods.
In Peacekeeping, size does matter
By Ron Capps Mon, 05/16/2011 - 16:33
One of the things that we look at regularly on the peacekeeping team is how peacekeeping missions evolve over time. Some of the missions standing today have been in operation for far longer than you might imagine. The United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) operates from its headquarters in Jerusalem and has been in operation since 1948. Yep, 1948.
Protection is not Just a Military Task
By Erin Weir Fri, 05/13/2011 - 17:00
In peacekeeping the attention (and pressure) tends to be focused on the military part of the mission, the military “blue helmets” patrolling villages and deterring physical attacks. People often forget that peacekeeping missions also include a huge range of civilian staff who work on activities including monitoring human rights abuses, engaging with communities and fostering reconciliation, analyzing political developments, promoting peace processes, and civilian policing. The list goes on.
Pakistan: Goals and Perceptions of Foreign Aid
By Kristen Cordell Wed, 05/11/2011 - 16:04It has been a big week for those of us working on Pakistan. New attention on the intensely fractured relationship between the US and Pakistan has led to questions about the fate of current and planned aid packages- with emphasis on the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act (or the Kerry-Lugar Act).
Honoring Humanitarian Action
By Megan Fowler Tue, 05/10/2011 - 18:00"Refugees are those without a lobby. It's an American tradition and our responsibility to step up on behalf of those who are displaced," Governor Richardson told CNN's Wolf Blitzer at Refugees International's 32nd Anniversary Gala on Thursday night. (You can view photos of the evening here.)
President’s Corner: Honoring The Spirit of Amina Ali
By Michel Gabaudan Tue, 05/03/2011 - 17:08
It was with much sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of Amina Ali. I first met Amina last fall during a Refugees International trip to Kenya, and will never forget that meeting. Here was a woman with such energy, and such passion for the work that she was doing in Nairobi’s Eastleigh community.
Sudan: New Peacekeeping Mission Must be Able to Protect Civilians
By Michelle Brown Mon, 05/02/2011 - 16:16
Last week, the UN Security Council unanimously renewed the mandate of
the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) until July 9. That is the
day when the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) period is scheduled to
end, and when South Sudan becomes an independent state. The resolution
also laid out the Security Council’s intention to deploy a follow-on
mission in the south and requested that the Secretary General submit a
report to the Security Council by May 16 outlining the different options
for the new mission.
