Humanitarian Crises and Time's Person of the Year
Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres) has released their list of the ten most underreported humanitarian stories of 2007, led by crises in Somalia and Zimbabwe.
Political and economic turmoil at national government levels have such profound impact on a nation's citizens, including access to food and water, shelter, safety from military conflict, health care and education.
The list is an interesting contrast with the article on Time's Person of the Year, Vladimir Putin, who has "performed an extraordinary feat of leadership in imposing stability on a nation," coming at "significant cost to the principles and ideas that free nations prize." Putin's article is entitled 'Choosing Order Before Freedom.'
In countries such as Somalia and Zimbabwe, the answer to the quiz is None of the Above. Democracy and stability alike are fleeting concepts, easily ignored in the daily search for survival. May we express love and compassion for all of those living in conflict and instability, while we appreciate our bountiful existence during this holiday season.
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Comments (2)
It is absolutely appalling that these humanitarian stories go underreported while we are deluged daily with junk entertainment news.
Comment #1 Posted by: Suza | December 20, 2007 01:32 PM
It certainly is appalling. I'm so sick of our society turning a blind eye to things that make us feel a little uneasy. A little out of our "comfort" zone. When will we, as part of the human race put an end to this. When will we unite with other countries for the better of humanity, just because its right? Spend $4 on feeding a person instead of getting that "new" movie at blockbuster.
Comment #2 Posted by: Kali | January 4, 2008 06:33 PM