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Turkey earthquakes one year on: the devastation has exposed deep societal scars and women are bearing the brunt

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Earthquake, Tremor, Refugee, Government, Housing, Death, School, Speech, Employment, Pregnancy, Aftershock, City, Poverty, Education, Disaster, Violence, Student, Unemployment, Woman, Tunnel

In the early hours of February 6 2023, the south-eastern region of Turkey was rocked by a series of powerful earthquakes.

Key Points:

In the early hours of February 6 2023, the south-eastern region of Turkey was rocked by a series of powerful earthquakes.
One year on, large parts of Hatay, the worst-affected province, remain in ruins.
A total of 9 million people have been affected, including 1.7 million refugees who had fled the civil war in Syria.
The devastation has exposed deep societal scars, and the task of rebuilding is still immense.

Economic ramifications

The quakes rendered around 220,000 workplaces unusable, leading to a 16% reduction in working hours.
Particularly hard-hit provinces such as Hatay, Kahramanmaraş and Malatya lost more than 10% of their combined industrial capacity.
The Turkish government has recently launched a programme to help people return to employment in the region.

Fractured society

The earthquakes shattered not only the region’s economy but the very fabric of society.
More than 850,000 buildings collapsed in the initial quakes and the thousands of aftershocks that followed.
This exposed inadequacies in construction practices and a widespread lack of compliance with building regulations.

Roadmap for recovery

Its stated aim is to construct cities and communities that are more resilient to any such shocks in the future.
This is commendable (provided it does in fact happen), but it’s crucial that efforts to recover go beyond mere reconstruction.
The government’s response to the disaster has, for example, largely failed women and girls.
However, the nature of this alignment – whether the president meant cooperation or political ideology – remains unclear.

Ufuk Gunes Bebek does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Cutting UNRWA’s funding will have dire humanitarian consequences

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Refugee, Catastrophe, UNRWA, Hamas, ICJ, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, International, School, United, United Nations, UN, The Wall Street Journal, International court, State, Palestinian territories, Face, Hospital, Pharmaceutical industry

Israel demanded that donor countries cease all funding to UNRWA and claimed the organization is supporting Hamas.

Key Points:

Israel demanded that donor countries cease all funding to UNRWA and claimed the organization is supporting Hamas.
Additionally, Israel called for the cessation of UNRWA activities in Gaza after the war.
Sixteen mostly western countries, including Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, announced they were suspending their funding to UNRWA.
UNRWA has warned that unless funding is restored it may need to shut down by the end of February.

What is UNRWA?

Following the Nakba (Catastrophe) in 1948, the agency was formed to respond to the urgent needs of the displaced Palestinian population.
It currently supports over six million Palestinians, employing more than 30,000 staff members, with a significant portion dedicated to operations in Gaza.

Israel’s accusations

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric has said Israel has not yet shared the dossier with the United Nations.
While these accusations are serious, maintaining an objective approach and refraining from drawing hasty conclusions about the UNRWA’s 30,000 employees is crucial.
The 12 employees accused of taking part in the Oct. 7 attack represent 0.04 per cent of the agency’s staff.

Funding cuts aren’t new

Israel has long sought to dismantle UNRWA and the agency has faced the threat of funding cuts in the past.
UN General Assembly Resolution 194, passed in 1948, enshrines the right of Palestinian refugees to return home and receive compensation for losses suffered.
UNRWA is an organization that recognizes the status of Palestinian refugees and, by extension, their right to return at some point.
If UNRWA is unable to function, it could heighten political and social tensions in the region, especially in the countries hosting Palestinians, which will directly feel the repercussions of funding cuts.

Emilie El Khoury receives funding for her postdoctoral research at Queen's University from Queen’s Research Opportunities Postdoctoral Fund.

Even many critics of the Rwanda deportation policy are missing the point of why it’s wrong

Retrieved on:

Monday, February 5, 2024

Policy, Refugee, Supreme court, Legislation, History, Deportation, Prejudice, Government, House, Safety, Genocide, Labour, International law, Risk, Muslims

Several recently attempted a rebellion against the latest bill, arguing that it failed to conclusively stop refugees from legally challenging their own deportation to Rwanda.

Key Points:

Several recently attempted a rebellion against the latest bill, arguing that it failed to conclusively stop refugees from legally challenging their own deportation to Rwanda.
Labour has said that it opposes the policy on the grounds that it is unworkable, a breach of international law, and unaffordable.
Opponents of the policy on the left must reckon with the racist undertones of the policy and its prejudicial treatment of specific groups of refugees.
Much recent discussion suggests that the policy is wrong primarily because Rwanda is not a “safe” place for refugees.

The real problem with the policy

Instead, we have been left with a debate on the government’s own, self-serving terms.
I would argue that what is wrong with the government’s policy has almost nothing to do with the destination of deportations, and everything to do with who is being sent there.

There is, therefore, nothing random about the UK government’s choice of Rwanda.
As such, it is on the government’s own racist bait that much of what has recently counted for dissent has been caught.
Critics of the plan have also raised concerns that under Rwanda’s authoritarian regime, many refugees’ basic human rights may be violated.

The humanity of refugees

The UK government has had no trouble recognising the humanity of numerous other groups of refugees.
Yet the current debate now, almost exclusively, focuses on questioning Rwanda’s safety, and the cost of the policy to the British taxpayer.

Ẹniọlá Ànúolúwapọ́ Ṣóyẹmí is a Board Member of Internews Europe.

UNFCU Foundation Announces 2024 Grants that Invest in Projects Tackling Poverty

Retrieved on:

Friday, February 2, 2024

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., Feb. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- UNFCU Foundation announced that this year it is providing $645K to 19 grant partners on three continents. Projects align with UNFCU Foundation's mission to sustain pathways out of poverty for marginalized women and youth. Catalyzing this work is access to critical health care, livelihood training, and quality education that UNFCU Foundation has prioritized since 2015.

Key Points:

Projects align with UNFCU Foundation's mission to sustain pathways out of poverty for marginalized women and youth.
This creates agency for women and youth to thrive," said Yma Gordon, the Executive Director of the UNFCU Foundation.
"Given global challenges and setbacks in poverty alleviation, we remain more focused than ever on localizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals ," said Pamela Agnone, Chairperson of the UNFCU Foundation.
UNFCU Foundation awards grants to non-profit, non-governmental, and UN organizations with track records of accomplishment, notably UN SDG impact.

New release of Rodal Report in commitment to transparency

Retrieved on:

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the new release of the Rodal Report, which was originally prepared in support of the Commission of Inquiry on War Criminals in Canada (the Deschênes Commission), established in 1985.

Key Points:

Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the new release of the Rodal Report, which was originally prepared in support of the Commission of Inquiry on War Criminals in Canada (the Deschênes Commission), established in 1985.
This newly released version, following a request made under the Access to Information Act, reveals information that was previously withheld.
This new version of the report is now available on the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) website.
This release is one part of the Government of Canada's ongoing commitment to transparency, and to reviewing what additional historical records related to the investigation of war crimes can be released.

Pearson opens bookings for new PTE Core English proficiency test for Canadian economic migration visa purposes

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

University, Refugee, Pearson plc, Pearson Language Tests, Chi-squared test, PTE, English language, IRCC, Person, Risk, Student, Engineering, SDS, Nursing

LONDON, Jan. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world's leading learning company, today announced that bookings are now open for PTE Core, its newest English language proficiency test.

Key Points:

LONDON, Jan. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world's leading learning company, today announced that bookings are now open for PTE Core, its newest English language proficiency test.
PTE Core is a new addition to the Pearson Test of English portfolio, sharing many of the unique characteristics of PTE Academic.
Gio Giovannelli, President of the English Language Learning division at Pearson, said: "We are excited to roll out PTE Core to test takers across the world.
The fully digital PTE Core test is delivered through Pearson VUE, the computer-based testing business of Pearson.

Urology Care Foundation Announces Three New Additions to Board of Directors

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

The Foundation's Board of Directors' governance structure includes public directors, AUA member urologists, the AUA's treasurer and the president.

Key Points:

The Foundation's Board of Directors' governance structure includes public directors, AUA member urologists, the AUA's treasurer and the president.
We are excited to work with them to continue the Urology Care Foundation’s mission,” said Harris M. Nagler, MD, Urology Care Foundation president.
We welcome our new board members and look forward to working with them as the Urology Care Foundation continues to advance its mission and vision.
For more information on the Urology Care Foundation Board of Directors, visit: https://urologyhealth.org/about-us/leadership

Water Mission Awarded $1 Million Grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation, Funding Safe Water Programming in Uganda and Tanzania

Retrieved on:

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Sanitation, Water, Water Mission, Organic, Poverty, Parent, Refugee

The $1 million grant will fund continued safe water and sanitation infrastructure projects in the eastern region in Uganda and the Dodoma region in Tanzania over the next two years.

Key Points:

The $1 million grant will fund continued safe water and sanitation infrastructure projects in the eastern region in Uganda and the Dodoma region in Tanzania over the next two years.
“The Coca-Cola Foundation is committed to bringing safe water to water stressed communities around the world,” said Saadia Madsbjerg, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation.
Water Mission has permanent offices in both Uganda and Tanzania where local staff provide sustainable safe water solutions for people in communities, refugee camps, and disaster areas.
“The Coca-Cola Foundation’s grant allows us to accelerate our safe water project work,” said George Greene IV, PE, CEO and President of Water Mission.

Grant Thornton names Alley-Oop Kids as its new Purple Paladin

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

In June of 2023, Grant Thornton also worked with another sports-related Purple Paladin, the I GOT THIS Foundation, which promotes golf instruction and playing opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

Key Points:

In June of 2023, Grant Thornton also worked with another sports-related Purple Paladin, the I GOT THIS Foundation, which promotes golf instruction and playing opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
To learn more about Alley-Oop Kids, visit https://www.alleyoopkids.org/
Alley-Oop Kids joins 17 other 501(c)(3) nonprofits that Grant Thornton previously selected as Purple Paladins.
Grant Thornton’s Purple Paladins program derives its name from the word paladin, a champion of a cause.
Grant Thornton and its professionals have donated more than $1 million to Purple Paladin nonprofits, and more than 650 Grant Thornton professionals have volunteered their time and skills to support the firm’s Purple Paladins.

Baxter Funds University Scholarships to Support Students From Underrepresented Groups and Communities in the UK and Ireland

Retrieved on:

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Baxter’s funding will support 10 students in total over the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic years.

Key Points:

Baxter’s funding will support 10 students in total over the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic years.
“Through our Activating Change Today (ACT) initiative, Baxter has proudly created several programs that support students in the U.S. who are pursuing health and science degrees.
The scholarships will be awarded based on financial need to UK students of Black-African or Black-Caribbean descent.
Trinity College Dublin will offer three scholarships to undergraduate ethnic minority students through its Trinity Access Program, which aims to increase participation in higher education by students from underrepresented groups and communities in Ireland.