Blog Posts by Dawn Calabia

Five years after Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast, destroying homes and leaving people desperate for food and shelter, we are witnessing similar scenes of destruction coming out of Pakistan. Floods caused by torrential monsoon rains have affected an estimated 17 million Pakistanis while humanitarian agencies, local relief organizations, and the Pakistani government and military, struggle to provide desperately needed assistance and to reach over one million stranded victims. 

This Thursday is an important date for the 58 members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, (OSCE). Tomorrow OSCE will decide whether to approve the immediate deployment and funding for 52 police advisors to Kyrgyzstan. This, coupled with the quick recruitment and deployment of experienced police professionals, could provide a tangible lifeline to hold south and north together and to rekindle hope for impartial justice. It could bring the return of rule of law to the conflict-plagued people of the south Kyrgyzstan.

In visits with displaced Kyrgyz and Uzbek families, we were met time and time again with frightened people who were not sure what was happening but who believed that their lives were being threatened by the other ethnic group and that their government was not doing enough to help them. Many Kyrgyz and Uzbek families that lived in mixed neighborhoods fear attacks and want to move to mono-ethnic neighborhoods.  

The acrid smell of smoke and piles of rubble characterize once vibrant Uzbek communities in Osh. In the neighborhoods surrounding Osh's famous mountain in the city, Uzbek homes and businesses are now burnt-out shells or piles of rubble. Family members sit on the sidewalk in front of their homes, some pausing from shoveling out broken plaster, others awaiting the delivery of plastic tarps or tents so that they might camp out on their property.

The Senate Budget Committee recently refused to support increases requested by President Obama for next year’s Foreign Aid account. The Committee cut $4 billion from the $58.5 billion proposed . These cuts happened despite increasing recognition that the civilian agencies responsible for diplomacy, development and humanitarian aid are grossly underfunded.

Last week, the bipartisan International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) was introduced into both Houses of Congress. This legislation signals a strong effort to join and take leadership of the international campaign to end violence against women and girls and empower women to protect their rights.

As a humanitarian talking with displaced Iraqis be prepared for a lot of anger.  “You destroyed my country,” said one woman. “Those ruling have no place for us. What will you do?” Millions of people have been displaced inside and outside the country. Small numbers have returned home. For others, insecurity, plus the absence of the rule of law, infrastructure, employment prospects, or basic services like water, sanitation, education or health care prevent them from returning home.

In Bangladesh a Supreme Court decision this May recognized the right to citizenship for a formerly stateless population, the Bihar, an Urdu speaking minority.

Bangladesh is an extremely young country, formed only 37 years ago after a violent conflict to sever its ties with Pakistan, achieved independence and preserve its Bengali culture.

Monasteries in Burma, as in many Buddhist countries, are places where those in need go for help: for religious education, meditation skills, counseling and, increasingly in this underdeveloped country, for food, education, shelter, and health care.