Kara Weinacht
9/18/2009
5:00 pm
This article summarizes the brutal reality of the lack of security that refugee camps provide. Claiming that Yemeni Shi'ite rebels, possibly in league with Shi'ites in Iran flew over a camp in Yemen and bombed it, killing 87 civillians. The U.N. is doing what it can, recently coughing up $23.5 million for refugees in Yemen alone, but money won't do much if local groups oppose the situation to the point of hostility. Also, the article brings up the need for medical attention for the wounded, but this falls short when transportation to an adequate medical center is too hard.
This article repeats and reinforces other articles that claim that host countries are not the happiest about having to host refugees. It's not news. But it does not do much in the wy of humanizing the refugees, it doesn't even mention where they're from, or why they had to flee there. It does, however, argue that the group at fault should be punished severely by the government, offering a rational solution, unlike many other articles. Despite stepping up and offering a solution, the author does not seem very reassured that the government will actually do anything, which is a shame. Really all I got out of this article was: some people died, these people killed them, they should be punished, and the U.N. is doing the best it can because it's sending money. This article provides a dismal example of how uninvolved and indifferent the entire world is to the plight of refugees.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/09/17/world/international-us-yemen-fighting-raid.html?ref=africa
2 comments:
The hostility and apathy that refugees can be met with in hosting countries is astounding. Yes, refugees may be intruding on a country, but its not necessarily permanent. The UN can't do everything; other countries should be expected to treat refugees properly. If one does it, it pressures other countries to do the same. Refugees are humans in need of help and should be treated as so.
no one likes to hear about innocent people being hurt or displaced, but it isa sad fact of this world. the thing that gets me is that many seem to think that just sending money will solve all thier proplems, and that is so wrong. I don't expect one organization to do it all but i think that they should not only send finacial aid but also help the people emotionally and mentally. there is no telling how these events have effect their lives and montary compensation is not the only thing they need.
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