Archive

In Central African Republic, Diamonds Fuel A Cycle of Violence and Poverty, Sept 2014

Taken on 2014-09-19

"Central African Republic has become a nation whose borders exist only on maps, where governmental authority is limited mostly to the 25 square miles occupied by the capital, Bangui, if that. Two years ago, mainly Muslim militias, known collectively as the Seleka, seized power, then plundered the country: from precious – diamonds, gold and ivory – to mundane – guns, cars, office supplies and food. A group of mainly Christian and animist militias later retaliated, and drove the Seleka into the countryside. Today, CAR is less a country than a collection of fiefdoms, ruled by gang-like armed groups, where religious, military, political and ethnic factions struggle for anything that might yield revenue. It’s a state “that has long ceased to exist,” the International Crisis Group said in a report earlier this year."

Source: VOA/Bagassi Koura

Uploaded by SamiGoat on 2015-05-17

ISIS killed at least 500 members of Iraq’s Yazidi ethnic minority in August 2014

Taken on 2014-08-10

A year ago, Islamic State militants (ISIS) attacked the Yazidi minority community in northern Iraq, killing hundreds of men and enslaving thousands of women. More than 100,000 Yazidi fled Sinjar since August 2014 when ISIS first launched the attack. Many Yazidi women were kidnapped and enslaved and the men were butchered. Yazidi activists say they have gathered a list of at least 4,600 missing Yazidi women. Most of these women are sold to other ISIS members or put on the slave market.

Uploaded by Taylor on 2015-08-05

Hundreds protest in Toronto over Israeli action in Gaza

Taken on 2014-07-19

Hundreds gathered in Toronto to protest the Israeli military action in Gaza. The protests were on the second day of an Israeli ground offensive that pushed the death toll in Gaza to over 330 people. The protests in Toronto were held across from the Israeli Consulate. The crowd gathered in front of the Royal Ontario Museum with signs like “Gaza needs more than our prayers.”

Source: Corporate Video Production Toronto / Joseph Morris

Uploaded by miroslav on 2014-08-10

Ukraine Separatists Crisis Slovyansk ATO, July 2014

Taken on 2014-07-07

Anti-terrorist operations began around the city of Slovyansk. Ukrainian soldiers took block posts around city.

Source: Sasha Maksymenko / Flickr

Uploaded by miroslav on 2014-08-17

Nuba Mountain Bombings by Sudanese Airforce; Sudan, June 2014 - Feb 2015

Taken on 2015-02-13

Sudan’s air force has repeatedly, bombed civilian areas, often killing or harming civilians, destroying homes and crops, and damaging schools, clinics, and other civilian property, in the four years since the beginning of the conflict in 2011 Between December of 2014 and February of 2015, 970 bombs have been dropped on civilian targets, a drastic increase from the 230 that were dropped over the same period last year. Um Serdiba residents say they have suffered more than 130 civilian casualties since the beginning of the year. Civilian areas are supposed to be marked and avoided by Sudan’s troops. The Khartoum government has repeatedly denied targeting civilians. It also has blockaded humanitarian aid to the rugged mountain region.

Uploaded by Taylor on 2015-07-15

Civilians Displaced by ISIS' Advance on Mosul

Taken on 2014-06-11

The flight and displacement of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians in the aftermath of ISIS' recent advances in northern and central Iraq could result in a humanitarian catastrophe.

Source: UNHCR/R. Nuri

Uploaded by SATest on 2014-06-18

Myanmar: Rohingya face a humanitarian crisis EU Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection

Taken on 2014-06-11

In Myanmar/Burma, the Rohingya have very limited access to basic services and viable livelihood opportunities. Many live in camps where they have only limited access to health care and education, and no livelihood opportunities. Since 2012, widespread inter-communal violence has put Rohingya in an increasingly diffcult situation.

Source: EU-ECHO/ Evangelos Petratos

Uploaded by mfa1988 on 2014-08-25

Myanmar's Rakhine State: different realities of displaced, confined and resettled communities

Taken on 2014-05-28

Following the inter-communal violence which erupted in 2012, many people from minority groups were forced to leave their house and find refuge in camps. Others were confined to their villages without the possibility to leave them, whatever the reason. Rakhine (Buddhist) people instead were resettled in new houses in villages located in majority-Muslim areas. In this album, the villages, camps and shelters of Rakhine, Rohingya and Maramagyi people speak of the difference life conditions of these communities in Myanmar.

Source: EU-ECHO/Anne-Françoise Moffroid

Uploaded by mfa1988 on 2014-08-25

EU Assistance to Balkan Floods 2014

Taken on 2014-05-19

More than the equivalent of 3 months rain during 14-18 May 2004 on the Balkans, the highest rainfall recorded since records started 120 years ago. Tamara, as the cyclone was called, caused severe flooding and land slides in Serbia, Bosnia, and to a lesser degree in Croatia, resulting in over 60 deaths, massive destruction of property, infrastructure, and damage to agriculture. Seemingly unprepared, authorities in Serbia and Bosnia were unable to cope alone with large swaths of territory inundated during the cyclone. They quickly requested international help, including via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Within a few hours, the call was answered by Bulgaria, Germany, Slovenia and Austria. By 36 hours, 6 more EU countries responded. Overall 23 EU members out of 28 aided relief efforts. 3 million Euros, 800 relief workers, and 2 EU Civil Protection Teams were dispatched. On 16 July 2014, France and Slovenia cohosted a donors conference.

Source: European Commission - Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection

Uploaded by MicroscopeLens on 2014-08-11

Landslides Hit Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan, May 2014

Taken on 2014-05-04

Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain is extremely prone to landslides and avalanches. Wearied by years of conflict, Afghans are now increasingly confronted with natural disasters, further aggravating humanitarian needs in the war-torn country. Photo credit: F. M. Mellbin, EUSR Afghanistan

Source: European Commission DG ECHO

Uploaded by SamiGoat on 2014-09-01

Central African Republic Civil Crisis, December 2013

Taken on 2013-12-22

The Central African Republic conflict is a civil war in the Central African Republic between the Séléka rebel coalition and government forces, which began on 10 December 2012. The conflict arose after rebels accused the government of President François Bozizé of failing to abide by peace agreements signed in 2007 and 2011. Many of the rebel groups were previously involved in the Central African Republic Bush War. This VOA Gallery shows Burundian peacekeepers and other African Union peacekeepers attempting to assuage the unrest.

Source: Idriss Fall/VOA

Uploaded by SamiGoat on 2015-06-09

Colorado Floods; Colorado, USA, Sept - Nov 2013

Taken on 2013-11-19

''During the week of September 9th, heavy rain and devastating flooding hit Colorado's Front Range, from Colorado Springs north to Fort Collins.'' The flooding had an immense impact on surrounding areas and on loss of life, affecting nearly 2,000 square miles.

Source: US Environmental Protection Agency/Flickr

Uploaded by kirstieb on 2016-07-09

Iranian Basij Advisers Bolster Syrian Army, September 2013

Taken on 2013-09-18

Syrian rebels captured a video from and Iranian journalist in September 2013, purporting to show Iranian involvement in support of the Syrian regime. (Date Unknown)

Source: Syrian Rebels via CNN

Uploaded by SamiGoat on 2014-08-30

CAR refugees in Cameroon, Gbiti and Timangolo camps, 2013

Taken on 2013-07-17

More than 100 000 new refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR) have crossed the border to Cameroon since violence escalated in December 2013. The European Commission's humanitarian aid and civil protection service ECHO has stepped up its support enabling partners to provide emergency assistance. During a joint visit to assess humanitarian needs, the UN Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel, Robert Piper, and ECHO's Regional Head of Office, Cyprien Fabre, meet with recently arrived refugees from CAR and humanitarian organisations on the ground in Gbiti and Timangolo, eastern Cameroon.

Source: OCHA/Ivo Brandau

Uploaded by mfa1988 on 2014-08-25

South China Sea Conflict, Southeast Asia, 2013-2015

Taken on 2015-05-31 *

Disputes over waters and islands in the South China Sea has been going on for years. China claims to have historical claims to 80 percent of waters and land in the South China Sea. Under international law, China has no claims to these areas. China has taken a more aggressive approach in recent times, taking over the Spratly Island, Parcel Islands, and continues to build their own islands for military purposes.

Uploaded by Taylor on 2015-07-11

Anti-nuclear power movement in Japan; September 2011

Taken on 2011-09-19

Anti-Nuclear Power Plant Rally on 19 September 2011 at Meiji Shrine Outer Garden.

Source: Wikipedia

Uploaded by Cristine on 2016-09-28

Protest Against the Delaying of the Completion of the Consitution; Kathmandu, Nepal, May 2011

Taken on 2011-05-07

A rally organised by Nepali youth to demand that the constitution be finished by the deadline.

Source: Pradeep Singh

Uploaded by Alison Cooke on 2016-09-01

Placard from Planned Parenthood Rally in New York City

Taken on 2011-02-26

Planned Parenthood is a women's health care non-profit organization that has provided health services, predominately reproductive services, to women in the United States for nearly 100 years. Planned Parenthood tends to 2.7 million patients a year, and is a key healthcare provider for many low-income individuals. Planned parenthood has been targeted by pro-life activists and religious groups for many years in regards to its abortion services. Recent attempts to pass legislation that would defund Planned Parenthood have not succeeded.

Source: Humans of Planned Parenthood/Protect Women's Health/Women's Enews

Uploaded by Taylor on 2015-10-05

The Lajes Summit, Portugal, Mar 2003

Taken on 2003-03-16

In the middle of the Atlantic, George W. Bush (USA), Tony Blair (UK) and José Maria Aznar (Spain), hosted by the Portuguese prime-minister Durão Barroso, were together in the 16th March 2003 afternoon to a summit that clearly marked the parameters of the new international order, said the analysts. The Azores Declaration on Iraq adopted by the leaders meeting at the Lajes base, which is jointly run by the United States and Portugal, said the position taken by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein weakened the authority of the Security Council. The message was very clear: the time for diplomacy over Iraq had ended. The Lajes base, officially designated Air Base No. 4, is on Terceira, one of the nine islands making up the Azores archipelago, strategically located in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, between the American and European continents.The summit could not have been held in the capitals of any of the three countries without a full-scale military mobilization.

Source: US DoD/José Luís Ávila Silveira/Pedro Noronha e Costa/Wikipedia

Uploaded by Filipa Jorge on 2015-01-23

Effects of 2016 Taiwan Earthquake; Tainan, Taiwan, February 2016

Taken on 2016-02-06

An earthquake struck a region to the northeast of Pintung City in south Taiwan on the 6th of February 2016. The earthquake, causing widespread damage and 117 deaths, had a moment magnitude of 6.4. The effects were more devastating in Tainan, approximately 300 km south of Taipei, than the epicentre owing to the soft nature of the soil which allowed surface ground to be amplified, thus creating more devastating effects in Tainan.

Source: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger

Uploaded by Alison Cooke on 2016-02-20