Children

My Esteemed Readers,

My sincerest apologies to all of you for the absence of our site over the last five days or so. I thank all of you who continued to check back and for your patience while we resolved the issues. The lack of activity was not entirely a bad thing, our server was a bit over worked and loaded, thanks to the great increase of readership of all the Great Decisions Blogs. So for all of your support and readership we are all extremely grateful! The new server is now in place and ready to handle the continuous increase in readership.

Please also accept my apologies for the lack of postings, since we came back up, as I have been traveling. However there are some great posts on there way, as I was busy over the last week covering some key events, such as; The Price of Sugar Preview, The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award, and much more. I will be bringing you first hand coverage of these events and other news worthy articles as soon as I can get all the postings formated and uploaded. So please bare with me awhile longer as I get back on track, and check for all of last weeks backdated posts and new posts.

Thank You,
Cassandra

Within the fight against poverty, the right to food should be treated as a fundamental right, according to German Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul. The policy should ensure that the right to food receives priority, Wieczorek-Zeul called on November 6 in Berlin, at the presentation of the World Bank World Development Report 2008. World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development, Katherine Sierra, emphasized that development programs need to focus on the sector (Reuters).

Developing countries have made much progress in reducing poverty and hunger but have not been as successful in reaching the poorest of the poor, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute’s (IFPRI), recent report “The World’s Most Deprived”. Utilizing household survey data from 20 developing countries, the report found the reduction of poverty has been slower for the “ultra poor”, those who are living on less than 50 cents per day, most of whom are in Africa. The report estimated that some 162 million people could be classified as ultra poor, and if they were concentrated in a single country they would make up the seventh most populous nation after China, India, the United States, Indonesia, Brazil and Pakistan.

It is clear that much needs to be done in the reduction of poverty world wide, and we have clearly not come as far as we thought, however while the World Bank must increase its efforts and focus on poverty, they are not alone. International development organizations as a whole must increase there efforts to find more suitable and sustainable poverty reduction options.

The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial 2007 Human Rights Award laureate was presented this morning to Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Abdallah, of Sudan. The event was opened by Kerry Kennedy, founder The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights.

“…champions of justice are imbued with moral courage. The cause is compelling, the enemies dangerous and powerful. But we are blessed by a handful of Davids, who, with little more than the slingshots of their hearts and nerve and sinew to support them, stand up against a world full of Goliaths. And the angels prevail.”

Dr. Mohammed Ahmed was among hundreds of human rights advocates nominated from across the globe, and he was chosen for his unwaivering dedication to help those in Darfur who need him the most. Dr. Ahmed’s helps those in his country that so many others have turned a blind eye to, the victims so many have been too cowardly to stand and fight for. He protects and heals those survivors of rape, torture, and violence in Darfur, who’s lives have been ripped apart by genocide. By working to see that their lives are restored, that they know the whole world didn’t turn it’s back on them, Dr. Ahmed, not only tirelessly administers medical assistance, he also prescribes hope to a nation.

Ms. Kennedy took a moment to avert the crowds attention to another RFK Human Rights laureate, who also stood fearlessly for the people of his own country. The room stood in applause as Ren Wanding, the 1994 award winner was introduced as a member of the audience. Ding was imprisoned in China for promoting a democratic government and the release of political prisoners, he was unable to accept the RFK award when it was presented to him.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, then took the stand to introduce this years laureate, speaking on how we must demand as an international community, that attacks on IDP camps and the people of Darfur end now, and that all parties held accountable for their safety and security. Senator Kennedy added that Congress must pass the Sudan Divestment Act. He then commented heavily on Dr. Ahmed’s selfless acts, giving light to the power of individual activism.

“As my brother Bobby so eloquently stated, ‘Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of those acts will be written the history of our generation.’”

Senator Kennedy, with the support and assistance of Ethel Kennedy, Robert Kennedy’s wife, presented the award.
With his arms raised high, his face awash in hope and peace, Dr. Ahmed took the award and stood strong for all of Sudan…he stood strong for all of mankind.

“…I never thought I’d come here today, not just as an individual RFK award winner, but as a citizen of Darfur…I also talk to you on behalf of my patients. The situation on the ground now is critical. The government of Sudan, who is my government, is really now targeting civilians.”

Dr. Ahmed asking for all of Sudan, placed the following plea before us today;

“I urge the United States and the international community to understand these camp liquidations for what they are: the final phase of the Sudanese government’s plan to exterminate the African tribes of Darfur. The fate of the people expelled from the camps is clear: they are left vulnerable to attacks by militias and left without access to the humanitarian aid they rely upon. Because of this situation, they will soon die of preventable disease, malnutrition, starvation or violence – unless they are protected!”

Dr. Ahmed serves as the Medical Treatment Director for the The Amel Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture in Sudan. The word Amel, means hope, which is exactly what the center gives all whom it treats, and to the country from which has given them both life and death. The center provides much needed treatment for women and young girls, who are often raped in front of their own families. “Females are systematically targeted…rape is used as a systematic weapon of war.”, but at the Amel clinic “we make them whole again…make society accept them. We cannot forget them!”, Dr. Ahmed stated. The clinic is a rarity in a country with little to no infrastructure, a country in desperate need of specialized services for widows, rape victims and children born of rape.

“We people in Darfur are badly in need of peace…we have started peace processes…the problem is that the government of Darfur, Sudan hates peace.” “We have to be consulted as the people of Darfur. Libya negotiation table failed as the people of Darfur where not consolidated.”

Kerry Kennedy once again took the stage, and with even more passion in her voice she took the microphone; “President Bashir thinks if there is no witnesses then it didn’t happen. He can only do this as long as we do not act.”, she said.
Ms. Kennedy then introduced Mia Farrow UN Goodwill Ambassador, mother of 14, actress, and activist, to speak on the situation in Sudan. Farrow has taken seven missions to Darfur in the last five years, and will take her eighth mission this coming January, her work and her words where nothing less then heart provoking. Showing photos from here previous journeys’ to Sudan, Farrow gave a face to the human suffering that has gone ignored for far too long by so many.

Farrow wasted no time, and did not begin her speech with a light and fluffy introduction, she simply aimed to bring the suffering of the people of Sudan to light, and her words hit hard;

“After the Nazi Holocaust, the world vowed “never again.” How obscenely disingenuous those fine words sound today. As we look at Rwanda, Darfur and eastern Chad, are we to conclude that “never again” applies only to white people?”

Farrow continued to speak strong, her words coming from her heart and from those who’s suffering she has witnessed first hand. “Almost five years of this suffering is five years too long! …what are we saying to the people of Darfur, only that they are completely dispensable.” Referring to “responsibility to protect”, the UN Security Council’s unanimous adoption of Resolution 1769 on Sudan, words which Farrow stated, “are proving to be as hollow as ‘never again’.” “we have failed Rwanda and we are failing Sudan…collectively and individually we have failed them.” Her voice full of passion, her eyes overwhelmed and verging on tears, as Farrow spoke on what she has seen, what she has heard, and most of all on what has failed to be done.

In closing Kerry Kennedy appeared to be speaking words broken by emotion, as she called the audience to do a traditional call for rain…the room filled with snaps, taps, stomps…and hope as the prayed for rain in Darfur. “With the hope of Dr. Ahmed, let us hope that in Darfur justice rains!”

The room was left in awe, and incited with passion, a passion one can only hope will lead one to stand-up and speak out for those who’s cries have long since fallen on deaf ears. Let us not turn our backs for one more day on the innocent woman, children and men of Darfur. To Dr. Ahmed the answer is simple, “Either protect the people of Darfur, or see Rwanda again. No one wants to see Rwanda again!”

Resources and Documents:

See all the RFK Human Rights Award Laureates here.
Release: Darfuri Doctor and Rights Defender to Receive 2007 RFK Human Rights Award
Speech: Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Abdallah at 2007 RFK Human Rights Award Ceremony
Speech: Kerry Kennedy at 2007 RFK Human Rights Award Ceremony
Speech: Senator Edward Kennedy at 2007 RFK Human Rights Award Ceremony
Speech: Mia Farrow at 2007 RFK Human Rights Award Ceremony
Washington Post article: Physician Honored For Work In Darfur
Voices of Genocide Prevention Podcast: Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Abdallah
AP Article: Doctor warns of Darfur camp expulsions
AP Article: Darfur Doctor Wins RFK Award
Voice of America, Webchat Transcript: Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Abdallah
Video from C-SPAN: Dr. Mohammed Ahmed at National Press Club Briefing
Interpress News Service article: Sudan: Civilians Driven Into Camps, Then the Bush
Washington Times article: Embassy Row (featuring Dr. Mohammed Ahmed)
Sudan Divestment Task Force
Mia Farrow’s Blog and photos on Darfur
Save Darfur

*please note some quoted statements, may differ slightly from they typed speeches in the links, as they where submitted prior to the event, and some quotes are taken at the event it’s self.

Forget not to share what you have with the children of the world, for you can truly make a difference. Never think you have nothing to give, for we all have something to share. We all have love, time, wisdom and experiences to share, which are the true wealth of the world. We all have a hand to give, so reach out!

On November 14th UNICEF launched their annual Christmas fundraising campaign, the web-based Star Appeal. Now in its third year and UNHCR hopes to surpass last years total of US$560,000. The funds raised will be used to providing shelter and schooling for refugee children around the world. UNHCR launches Christmas appeal for refugee kids

This year’s appeal is being supported by John Dau, a former so-called “Lost Boy” of Sudan and subject of the documentary “God Grew Tired of Us.” Dau, who says his basic education in a UNHCR-run camp transformed his life, has signed a letter calling on donors to support the Star Appeal.

To find our more or make your donation go to the Star Appeal now. A little bit goes a long way. A donation of US$47 will purchase a survival kit for badly malnourished children; US$80 will buy a durable lightweight tent for a family of eight; US$125 will be enough for 25 blankets; and US$210 will pay the wages of a teacher for three months.

Imagine one who is the “only doctor for nearly half a million people”, and who also teaches, runs a clinic, and still manages to be on the counsel of his tribe. No, this is not a character in a movie, nor an action hero, but a simple doctor and gentle man who only wants to serve his people in their time of need in any way he can.

This evening the American Center for Progress hosted, “What’s Really Happening on the Ground” with Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Abdullah. On Friday, November 16th, Dr. Ahmed will be awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award, and this week in DC he is taking time to share the situation and suffering in Darfur. The event began with Dr. Karen Hirschfeld, the Sudan Coordinator of Physicians for Human Rights, who nominated Dr. Ahmed for the Award. PFH was the first NGO to call Darfur a genocide and have been promoting Darfur since 2004.

“Without dedication you have nothing, without motivation you can do nothing.”

The first in his village to become a doctor, graduating from Khartoum University Medical School in 1976, Dr. Ahmed now sees no less than a 100 patents a day in his home, he is a mentor to aspiring physicians and healthcare workers…he is a man who will never be found without a smile upon his face and hope in his heart. He spoke how he had now been able to see his own mother for some five years, but that was just the way it was to be he said, for he had to do what he could and had to do….his sacrifice to him seems small, as he looks daily at the greater picture of life, death and suffering.

Dr. Ahmed asked, “So are we going to see Rwanda again?”, a question so many find themselves fearing the answer is ‘yes’, as we have already acted too late. Despite our blind eyes over the last five years, the people of Sudan are sill crying out for our help. Dr. Ahmed said the priorities which need to be taken, are number one is the protection of the Sudanese civilians, two the international community must take a stand, three the people of the US must start to support Sudan, four the people of Africa and Asia too must commit their support.

Dr. Ahmed once walked days to reach school and now people often walk days to see him. Receiving medical treatment in Sudan is no small feat, as the country only has two teaching hospitals, and in order to receive treatment one must go to the police to get a form 8, which must then be filled out with a full doctors report to get any aid. “If you are African there is no way you will get this.” Under the mandate a doctor can only treat those with this form, and thus many doctors have been arrested and harassed. The government doesn’t want this type of work to continue, and Dr. Ahmed is no stranger to these harassments, yet in his eyes one sees he is a stranger to fear. His work is enough to burden even the strongest team, he carries the weight alone and on his shoulders the load looks light. When asked by an audience member, “Where did you get your courage?”, Dr. Ahmed replied,

“If you are always suffering you will learn something…this will not abide me from doing the right thing.”

Dr. Mohammed spoke with warmth and openness, his frankness was both refreshing and heartbreaking. Though he spoke of endless suffering and tragedy, he also spoke of hope and optimism, he told not the stories of victims, but the stories of survivors. Though he stated that currently the Sudanese face “really miserable conditions and a lot of challenges, but with optimism and desire we can accomplish!.” Peace is the only option for Sudan, “To continue war will not help any!” The answer to him is simple; “You must protect civilians first or tomorrow, you will not find them. If you don’t protect the civilians, who is going to tell you what is happening…who will you unite without civilians?”

Related news articles on Dr. Mohammed:
Doctor warns of Darfur camp expulsions
African Doctor Wins RFK Award
Sudan: Civilians Driven Into Camps, Then the Bush
Sudanese Physician and PHR Partner, Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Abdallah, Receives 2007 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award Today in Washington, D.C.
RFK Memorial Foundation Press Release
The Amel Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture in Sudan
Sudan Journal, by PHR Deputy Director Susannah Sirkin
PHP Durfar Survival Campaign
Interview: Dr. Mohammed-Ahmed Abdallah, medical director of the Amel Center for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture in Darfur, speaks with Jerry Fowler, at the Holocaust Museums, Voices on Genocide Prevention, about the current situation on the ground in Darfur.

So what do you do if there are places unfit for children to live? The obvious answer is to remove them, and of course this is what we look to do on an individual case. However how do you do that when you are no longer talking about individual children, or isolated cases, but when you are looking a a large scale portion of an entire continent? Obviously we cannot remove the majority of an entire continent’s children, and place them in better homes or situations, we must work on the ground to ensure they no longer face such disparaging hardship. So, you establish a full scale initiative to eradicate and fight the problem head on with sustainable solutions, or at least that was the plan in Africa. The former Organization of African Unity Secretary-General Salim Ahmed Salim said, at the Pan-African Forum for Children in May 2001, “African children have the worst life chances in the world”. Sadly little appears to have changed for the children in Africa.

In 2002 the African Union’s and the Pan-African Forum established the Africa Fit for Children initiative, and now five years later it appears the initiative has failed. In follow-up to the Second Pan-African Forum on Children, held in Cairo on Oct. 29, 2007, and in review of the initiative many have begun to see the holes in Africa’s plan for it’s children. Plan International, conducted a study in which they surveyed 1,000 children in 30 African countries, to see how their lives have change since the 2002 initiative.

A Plan International survey children said that not only where their lives not better than five years ago, they where actually worse. Increasing poverty, poor education and high unemployment where largely to blame. Children are always the hardest hit in times of economic hardship and crisis, and when families face poverty children become even more vulnerable, not only to hunger and disease, but to forced labor and trafficking. Children from poor families are often pulled from schools and sent to work, as families are pushed by economic necessity.

Tom Miller, Plan’s Chief Executive Officer said: “This is a wake up call for Africa - children tell us they are being left behind. Despite the efforts of African Union governments a large number of children have not seen any benefit in their lives. Worse still many feel things are going backwards. The message is clear, we can’t expect to improve the lives of children if we don’t involve the children themselves.” (Rural Africa Not Fit For Children)

The main priorities defined in the initiative included: an overall framework for the rights of the child in Africa; enhancing the life chances; overcoming HIV/AIDS; right to education; right to protection, including, legal and protection against violence, abuse and exploitation; and participation of youth and children.

The country specific questionnaire developed by the African Union Commission as part of a Mid-term Review of the AU Plan of Action on Children – ‘Africa Fit for Children’ was established to assess progress. The results of which will be submitted at the next UN Special Session on Children, which is to be held in New York on 11-12 December 2007.
Following the the Pan-African Forum on the Future of Children held in Cairo, which adopted the Africa Fit For Children initiative, Egypt in May, 2001, Kofi Annan made the following statement to the opening session of the United Nations Special Session on Children on May 9, 2002;

“Let us not make children pay for our failures any more. The children in this room are witnesses to our words. They and their peers in every land have a right to expect us to turn our words into action — and I repeat, they expect us to turn our words into action — and to build a world fit for children.” (Invest in us, African children tell world leaders)

One can only hope that over the next five years we heed these words, and the pleas of the children who’s lives have not improved, as we work to repair and rebuild the lives of children in rural Africa.

For anyone in the fight against injustice around the world, especially concerning children, the battle has always been long and hard, and sadly it seems to be a declining one in many cases. I have recently found myself wondering if we had suddenly tipped the scales in the opposite direction, as recently the news wires, reports and e-mails seemed to be flooding my in box and weighing down my desk. It has gotten to the point lately where I feel out of touch, as I just cannot keep up with all the goings ons, and what to write about is more of a dilemma than ever…I find myself spending more and more time shifting through the stories wondering which one was more important to write about. Trying to decide what is more importing when you are writing about the suffering of children around the globe is never a winning or fair battle, and one will always fall short. However recently it seems to feel like it is disproportionately out of balance, but maybe it is just me and the holiday stress is just getting to me a little bit early this year.

Regardless, while I wish I could write on every issues, tell every story and cover all the regions equally…I can’t! For that I do apologize when I miss something, when I cover it to briefly, I’m slow to cover or comment on something and even when I cover issues too much. I guess in this case though I am no different than all the other human rights activists, NGO’s, charities, governments bodies and so many others working tirelessly to end the suffering of children everywhere. The climb for us all is steep, but well worth it even if we never reach the top!

The UN Peacebuiding Commission has made important and significant progress in its first year of operations, however a great deal of support is still needed. In a recent meeting in Geneva more than 150 representatives of governments, UN entities, regional organizations and civil society groups attending agreed that much still needs to be done. In a press release the UN Office in Geneva, stated that participants had agreed the Commission’s achievements over the first year, while significant, that greater and longer lasting impact would be best determined by obtaining a sustained political commitment from all Member States, and with the allocation of adequate resources.

The Netherlands, will lobby developing countries to legalize homosexuality and fight discrimination, the government represented by Dutch Development Minister Bert Koenders said in a statement on November 7. The conclusion and action came after a government issued survey showed homosexuality is illegal in 18 out of the 36 countries the Netherlands gives regular aid to. Of those countries making homosexuality illegal, punishments ranged from prison sentences and even the death penalty. (Reuters)

The so-called “infant killer”, pneumococcal diseases, which are caused by the common bacteria, Streptococcus pneumoniae, needs a killer of its own according to doctors. The diseases which can have a number of deadly causes, depending on where they attack, can include; pneumonia (lungs), bacteremia (bloodstream), meningitis (brain), and middle ear infections and sinusitis. Pneumonia is the leading cause of death for infants, especially in the developing world, and around 40% of infant pneumonia deaths are caused by pneumococcal diseases.

The diseases which have been primarily treated with penicillin, which has now been proven to be ineffective in many cases in recent years. Pneumococcal strains resistant to penicillin, or one of the other commonly used antibiotics have emerged in recent years. Therefore treatment has become more difficult, and in many cases in the developing world impossible. Thus the grave need for preventing pneumococcal diseases through vaccination.

 ”The World Health Organization recommended in March that the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine be included in national childhood immunization programs, but it is out of reach for many in Asia at a cost of around $70 for each of the four doses” (Macau doctors want vaccines against “infant killer”).

It is clear that steps need to be taken to ensure that infant mortality rates do not continue to climb, and that preventable diseases are met head on.  International measures must be taken to see that countries can afford vaccines and treatment for pneumococcal diseases, and that all children are given access and a chance at a healthy life.