Category Archives: International

A view from the ground on Haiti

International
An old friend of mine, based in the Dominican Republic, has just come back from a week-long assessment to design post-emergency recovery/development projects in Haiti. I thought you might find his insights of interest. He says: “…[we] spent a few days in Port-au-Prince …We saw the damage and talked to the Haitian people and I must say it was one of the loveliest experiences of my life. It was amazing to see so many people doing so much great work and with such energy and spirit, always with a smile, respect and hospitality; it really made me feel good to be back on Haitian soil, despite all the tragedy that has happened.
 

Haitians inside their new make-shift home

“The Haitian people are adorable, and they get on with life despite all the their hardships. We spoke with people who had lost their houses, family, friends in the earthquake and were living on the streets, but were always greeted with a smile and a sense of tranquillity and gratitude for our interest in their country and people.

Clearing up the rubble in Haiti

He continues: “From what I hear (I haven’t watched the TV for weeks), this is a very different impression than what the global media has been portraying; it’s very sad to hear that. I think the Haitians must be some of the most remarkable people on Earth, having gone through what they have gone through, yet 3 weeks later they are up and running and getting on with their lives. Not at any time did we feel threatened, and we went to some of the poorest and most run down neighbourhoods in the city. In fact, the most uncomfortable I felt was when seeing these ridiculous tanks and army vehicles with UN or US soldiers – absolutely absurd – amongst the poor people walking past them on foot. I remember feeling the same 5 years ago when I was living there.”
If you would like to make a donation to help the relief effort I suggest you contact Avaaz or the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Hounslow Borough Lib Dems motion calling for a managed withdrawal from Afghanistan must be debated

International

I would very much agree with Mike Smithson’s and Mark Littlewood’s postings that the Party has been slow to admit that Afghanistan is unwinnable. Hounslow Liberal Democrats has submitted motions twice this year to Conference Committee calling for a managed withdrawal of all UK combat troops from Afghanistan.

Now we have an Emergency Motion in for consideration asking Conference to call for a managed withdrawal by the end of 2010.

The Russians found Afghanistan unconquerable. The US/UK/NATO are faring no better, nor is there any sign of so doing in the forseeable future. It is an unwinnable situation which we cannot afford in terms of UK soldiers’ and Afghani lives – nor can our fragile economy bear it.

Just think how many lives might have been saved – Afghani, British and Allies – if Nick Clegg had managed to influence the Government way back in March when we first proposed a discussion. If we are to remain a party that prides itself on freedom of speech and our internal democracy, now must be the time to allow the grassroots to debate this major issue of our times at conference.

Wheat price crisis hits the world poor hard

Food, International

The worst fall out from the lack of an effective global agreement on how to address climate change — and alongside this establish a global strategy on biofuels production — is the recent fast rise in wheat prices.

The impacts on the Palestinian people is explained in this TV interview last week with an old friend Kirstie Campbell. Kirstie spent the first years of her life in Brentford, and is now a spokesperson for the World Food Programme (WFP):

http://media.themedialine.org/media/071108_gaza_bread.wmv

Worth tuning in to…