Salem-News.com Hunger articles Page 18

Schools in Haiti Still Under Plenty of Rubble

Many survivors still harbor fears of ever being in a classroom again.

(PORT-AU-PRINCE/SALEM) - As schools in other provinces in Haiti reopened today, students of Port-au- Prince’s Daniel Fignolé high school, one of 8,000 schools damaged by the earthquake, still grieved their deceased classmates and teachers as well as struggled with the traumatic memories of being in a classroom again.

Louis Montespoir is the Director of the Daniel Fignole School. "We don't have any teachers that died in the building - but some died elsewhere. But we have 700 students who died."

Escaped Prison Population Poses Threat in Haiti

Officials plan to build areas to house the recaptured inmates, most likely outside the capital, but so far they have only recaptured 36 of some 5,100 missing prisoners.

(PORT-AU-PRINCE/SALEM) - Thousands of inmates fled Haiti’s main prison after buildings collapsed during the earthquake on 13 January, and they have posed a threat to security in this battered island nation.

Officials say Prison Civile de Port-au-Prince had been burned down by the prisoners after the earthquake in an attempt to destroy prison records. With the capital in such a vulnerable state, there was some concern that escapees may return to areas like Cite Soleil and try and form gangs.

World Food Program Faces Logistical Challenges in Haiti

This week, three WFP-contracted helicopters will be operational in Haiti and nearly 75 trucks were also due to arrive.

(PORT-AU-PRINCE/SALEM) - Despite massive logistical challenges since the earthquake struck, the WFP has delivered more than 3.6 million rations so far. The overall security situation is generally calm, but incidents throughout the city have hampered distributions in the past few days.

All cargo transport took place in convoys with appropriate security, and security was also required at distribution sites. WFP worked closely with MINUSTAH and the US military to ramp up security and minimize disruption to food distributions.

Arab Nations Unite in Relief Effort for Haiti

The Israeli assistance receives the attention of U.S. media, but many Islamic nations are also helping substantially.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - While not drawing press attention to their efforts, Arab nations have united to provide needed assistance to support the humanitarian relief work being undertaken in Haiti.

The Arab American Institute (AAI) believes that their generosity should be showcased, and has compiled a list of Arab nation contributions from information available to date.

Interview with George Galloway Inside Gaza

One month, thousands of miles, ten countries, one ship and a four flights later, Viva Palestina has entered the besieged Gaza Strip.

(GAZA/SALEM) - The people behind a 200+ car convoy who arrived in Gaza yesterday entered this embattled city with only about 75% of what they had hoped to deliver. 55 of these humanitarian aid activists were bloodied during attacks by Egyptian police.

Convoy Commander George Galloway, Member of Parliament, says it was still more than worth it.

Turks Protest Egypt`s Attack on Humanitarian Convoy Traveling to Gaza

The Egyptian government's denial of entry for Viva Palestina trucks came despite talks in which a delegation of Turkish lawmakers sought to convince Cairo officials to open its border to Gaza for the aid convoy.

(ISTANBUL, Turkey) - Press TV in Iran reports that thousands of angry protesters in Turkey have staged a demonstration in the city of Istanbul to condemn the Egyptian police crackdown on a Gaza-bound aid convoy.

At least 55 people were injured in clashes that broke out between riot police and Viva Palestina activists at the Egyptian port of El-Arish on Tuesday, after Egypt said it would not allow 59 trucks for the relief convoy to enter the blockaded Gaza Strip. Following the incident, Turkish protesters poured into streets and assembled in front of the Egyptian consulate in Istanbul on Wednesday.

Egyptian Police Launch Violent Attack Against Humanitarian Aid Convoy

The military might of Israel and Egypt combined, lacks the steel framing these humanitarian activists.

(SALEM/LOS ANGELES/CAIRO) - Israel trains its pet animals well. Hundreds of humanitarians have come under attack while trying to reach Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid.

They have been trying to reach Gaza for weeks, and now their pursuit has led them to ruthless violence at the hands of Egyptian police, under the command of Israel.

Petition Seeks to Bring Water to Gaza Residents

Effort is targeted toward Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and sponsored by Care2.

(NEW YORK ) - According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 10,000 Gaza residents do not have water taps anywhere near their homes. On top of this, about 60 percent of Gaza residents do not have reliable access to water at all.

After the Hamas takeover of Gaza in 2007, Israel imposed sanctions against border crossings and materials exchanges across the borders. Israel officials say these sanctions are imposed in order to meet the humanitarian needs of the residents of Gaza.

Pink Floyd`s Roger Waters Issues Message of Solidarity with The Gaza Freedom March

"Today, hundreds of thousands, tomorrow, millions, soon, hundreds of millions. We Shall Overcome" -Roger Waters

(NEW YORK ) - I am writing to express my great admiration for and solidarity with the 1,360 men and women from 42 different countries around the World who are gathering in Egypt, preparing for The Gaza Freedom March.

We all watched, aghast, the vicious attack made a year ago on the people of Gaza by Israeli armed forces and the ongoing illegal siege.

Hedy Epstein Begins Hunger Strike to Open Gaza Borders

When Hedy Epstein was a young teen her parents smuggled her away, then perished in Auschwitz in 1942. No wonder she supports the people of Gaza.

(CAIRO, Egypt) - Hedy Epstein, the 85 year old Holocaust survivor and peace activist, announced that she will begin a hunger strike today as a response to the Egyptian government’s refusal to allow the Gaza Freedom March participants into Gaza.

Ms. Epstein was part of a delegation with participants from 43 countries that were to join Palestinians in a non-violent march from Northern Gaza towards the Erez border with Israel calling for the end of the illegal siege.