Open your eyes…

This month I’d like to talk about conflicts in parts of the world that are often ignored. People are dying, being exploited and suffering whilst most of the world does nothing.

The conflict in Sudan broke out in April 2023. A power struggle between government forces & RSF has resulted in a humanitarian crisis. More than 7 million people have been internally displaced with a further 1.9 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. The human cost is enormous; gender based violence, food & water shortages, disease outbreaks pose immediate threat. Economic insecurity, health & education infrastructure attacks compound the crisis. You can help.

UNHCR work tirelessly to provide aid to refugees. They establish transit centres for rest, access to essential protection services and emergency supplies. They also assist displaced people inside Sudan with non food items and shelter. Please donate if you can.

A resurgence of fighting in DR Congo has worsened the humanitarian crisis. Forced displacement began almost 20 yrs ago, 7.9 million Congolese people are currently displaced. Many of them are in urgent need. In conflict areas women and children face widespread sexual violence. Kidnappings, extortion and forced labour are common place along with food, water & medical shortages. The scale of the crisis is terrifying. Please do what you can.

The IRC work to provide a number of services in DR Congo. Emergency medical care, shelter, training government workers, counselling for survivors of sexual violence and more. Please give what you can.

Side with the child over the gun…

This month I continue to support the people of Palestine with my charitable donations. I still find it extremely difficult to believe that we are witnessing a genocide happen in real time, ignored by most of our leaders.

Watching the videos coming out of Palestine is unbearable. Palestinians are forced to live this horror, so we cannot turn away. This week I have been inspired by the amazing Robyn Boyle and her work with Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee promoting boycotts. To quote Robyn, a boycott is an easy thing to ask of people because in a sense, you’re only asking that they do nothing. Boycotts are a free and simple way to take action. BDS (Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions) are a great resource on who to boycott, with location specific information. Money talks, where you choose to spend yours can have a huge impact.

We must of course also keep pressure on our politicians. They work for us, public opinion is overwhelmingly in support of a ceasefire. It is incumbent upon us to make that clear.

Photo Credit GGECScot

For my part I have also chosen to donate to UNFPA’s ‘Mama Kit’ campaign. A Mama Kit provides essentials for women with newborns in areas affected by natural disasters and conflicts. Gaza is currently severely lacking in food, clean water and medical supplies. One of these kits really could mean the difference between life and death.

Humanitarian Crisis

January’s charity contribution was sadly a very obvious choice. The assault on the Palestinian people has continued despite even the intervention of the ICJ. The resulting humanitarian crisis is overwhelming.

Health care & residential infrastructure have been decimated. Most of the population are starving. Malnourished mothers are giving birth to babies who can survive only a few days. The scale of suffering is hard to comprehend. If you can please consider donating to one of these amazing organisations.

Unicef provide essential aid to combat disease, malnutrition & injury. They are focused on caring for the millions of children impacted in Gaza.

Medical Aid Palestine works for the health & dignity of Palestinians living under occupation. They desperately need help in providing urgent medical care and developing local capacity to ensure long term medical services.

Hakini is working to set up an emergency hotline for people in psychological distress. They provide specialised training for volunteers to support civilians & aid workers.

Charity of the Month

Sadly, recent events in the Middle East have made the decision of who to donate to this month obvious. The humanitarian crisis in Palestine is more urgent than ever.

A terrorist atrocity should not lead to an attack on a civilian population. The international community has a responsibility to upload international law & to provide aid to Palestine.

Medical Aid for Palestine provide immediate medical treatment for Palestinian living under occupation and as refugees. They also help create infrastructure & train people to ensure the development of the healthcare system.

I’m sure you have all watched the news with the same horror as myself. Children make up half the population in Gaza. No child (or any person) should have to experience such fear & violence. If you can please donate here.

You can also find a template to write to you Mp here. If you’re not sure who your Mp you can find them here.

We need to talk about Yemen.

I’ve been trying & failing to find the words to explain what’s happening in Yemen & why we all need to donate. The scale of the crisis is beyond my powers of description.

Unicef reports that 80% of the population (including 12 million children) are in need of humanitarian relief. Food, clean water, sanitation & health facilities are all in short supply. The spread of covid 19 has made an already untenable situation worse. Yemen’s plight has all been ignored by the world.

Child victim of crisis on Yemen

You can help by donating here:

And take action here: