· October, 2011

Stories about Humanitarian Response from October, 2011

Cambodia: Worst Flooding in a Decade

  24 October 2011

Cambodia is experiencing the worst flooding in a decade. The government reports that almost a half a million hectares of rice paddies were destroyed by the floods, which could affect food security in the region. Here are more reports about the disaster.

Turkey: 1,000 People Feared Dead in Van Quake

  23 October 2011

A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 hit eastern Turkey a few hours ago. Up to 1,000 people are feared dead. The quake hit Ercis, in the mountainous province of Van close to the Iranian border, the hardest. On Twitter, users are checking on loved ones and exchanging updates on the death toll and rescue efforts.

Videos: Central America Under Water

  20 October 2011

The tropical depression 12-E over Central America has brought torrential downpours and rains for days on end, causing flooding, closing roads and highways and displacing people. This post shows the effects of the rainfall through several Central American countries.

Thailand: Flood Maps and Disaster Monitoring Tools

  18 October 2011

In an earlier post, Global Voices featured some of the online maps which were created to monitor the floods in Thailand. The flood disaster is already the worst that ever hit the country. Here are other useful online maps, twitter reports, and disaster monitoring tools that provide information about the floods

El Salvador: Communities Severely Affected by Flooding

  13 October 2011

Voices from El Salvador is reporting on the consequences of severe weather in El Salvador: “Over 4000 people have been evacuated from their homes in San Salvador, La Paz, San Vicente, Sonsonate, and Usulután, and the risk of more flooding and landslides remains high.” They are also posting pictures on...

Russia: Deceased Yukos Lawyer's Last Interview

RuNet Echo  10 October 2011

The New Times publishes the last interview [ru] with Vasily Aleksanyan, former Vice President of Yukos oil company, who died on October 3, 2011 due to AIDS complications after his release from jail. “They're terrifying me every day,” confessed Aleksanyan saying that police didn't stop abusing him. Bloggers widely discuss the...

Bahrain: Teen Protester Shot Dead

Protests erupted in Bahrain this weekend as angry mourners buried 16-year-old Ahmed Al-Qattan, who was allegedly 'killed by birdshot' according to the Ministry of Interior Affairs. Netizens dispute this - Mona Kareem reports.

Yemen: Celebrating Tawakkol Karman

Tawakkol Karman, an outspoken journalist and human rights activist, described in the Guardian as a "thorn in [Yemeni President Ali Abdullah] Saleh's back", was today named as Yemen's first Noble Peace Prize winner. She has been a prime example of courage and bravery in Yemen since 2007. The reactions continue on Twitter.

Yemen: Congrats to Tawakkol Karman

Congratulations have been pouring in from all corners since the winners of this year's much anticipated Nobel Peace Prize winners were announced. Yemeni journalist and activist Tawakkol Karman joins Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf and Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee as their year's winners.

Africa: Famine is Man-made but…

  6 October 2011

Famine is man-made but….:”21st century solutions should be founded on collective responsibility. Describing famine as “man-made” is a step in the right direction, but let's not just look to foreign governments for handouts let's have the courage to call for responsibility and action from those closer to home.”

Madagascar: 164 homes burnt down in Fort Dauphin

  6 October 2011

The second serious fire in the region within the last 3 weeks burned down 164 homes in the the fokontany of Amparihy in Fort Dauphin, Azafady reports. The fires have been amplified by continuous strong winds across the SE region of Madagascar. An online fundraising page has been set up...