March 07, 2011
Elizabeth Campbell
Africa, Congress, Somalia, U.S. Administration, Neglected Crises
The potential famine looming in Somalia is not being met with any sense of urgency by the U.S. Government. The humanitarian arm of USAID is currently frozen while the U.S. debates a new policy on the provision of humanitarian assistance in south and central Somalia. If the spring rains fail, recent assessments indicate that nearly five million people in southern and central Somalia will struggle to meet their basic food and water requirements for survival in the coming months.
February 09, 2011
Elizabeth Campbell
Iraq, Humanitarian Response, Middle East
In a Senate Foreign Relations Hearing last Monday, top diplomat, James F. Jeffrey, defended the size and the cost of the State Department presence in Iraq after the U.S. military withdraws this year. He briefly mentioned the importance of ongoing U.S. development assistance to
promote the "continued return and resettlement of displaced persons."
Given current budget deliberations, this will be impossible if the
Migration and Refugee Assistance account that funds these critical
programs is cut and if the civilian activities of the Department of
State as well as those of the U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID) are reduced as planned.
January 31, 2011
Elizabeth Campbell
Iraq, Humanitarian Response, Middle East, Return and Reintegration
Sergio Vieira De Mello was the charismatic head of the UN's operations in Iraq until he was killed by the Canal Hotel bombing in Iraq in 2003. While traveling in Iraq, it's hard not to wonder what he would think about the UN's operations today. First and foremost, he'd clearly urge UN agencies to get out of the international zone and into the communities the UN is supposed to help serve.
December 20, 2010
Elizabeth Campbell
Iraq, Neglected Crises, Return and Reintegration
The UK, Sweden, and the Netherlands in particular have been actively deporting Iraqi asylum seekers to Baghdad and other parts of the country, claiming it is now safe and secure. In October the European Court of Human Rights in Stasbourg issued a temporary stay of deportations; however, a recent decision by the Court is being interpreted by many governments as a green light to resume forced repatriations.
If Iraq is so safe, why are the majority of European embassies located in the walled and highly secure and self-contained international zone? If security has improved so much, why can’t European officials travel outside of the international zone without armed escorts? Presumably, if the country is deemed unsafe for Europeans, can it be much safer for those Iraqis who faced targeted persecution and extreme violence? Probably not.
December 03, 2010
Elizabeth Campbell
Africa, Kenya, Peacekeeping, Women's Rights
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has developed an important tool that has led to a reduction of violence against women in Nairobi, Kenya. The Age, Gender, and Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM) Initiative was piloted in Nairobi in 2004. The main components of the methodology included establishing a multifunctional team with senior management, engaging in participatory assessments with refugee women, men, boys, and girls of all ages, nationalities, and backgrounds, and holding a three-day workshop with the team, high level officials, and partners working on refugee protection.
Blog Posts by Elizabeth Campbell
