Author: Caitlin Biddolph

Syrian Children Face Toxic Psychological Trauma From The Horrors Of War

Save the Children has just released an unprecedented report into the mental health of children experiencing six years of civil war in Syria. The report, Invisible Wounds, reveals the insidious effects of conflict that have scarred the country’s youngest generation; a generation that will receive the legacy of a battered

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The United Nations Set To Investigate War Crimes In Syria

The United Nations (UN) has pledged to investigate the most serious crimes committed during the civil war in Syria. It has established an investigative unit to document and collate evidence of the atrocities committed by all parties that could be used for future international and national prosecutions. This represents a

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Race, Inequality, And Police Brutality In France

On Thursday 2 February, a 22-year-old man was raped and brutalized by police officers in Aulnay-sous-Bois. Theo, cleared of any criminal activity, suffered severe injuries from the sexual assault. This latest attack reflects a disturbing reality for those living in the banlieues of Paris, which are the impoverished neighbourhoods and

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Refugees In Serbia Face Freezing Temperatures, Abuse, and Deportations

In the abandoned warehouses and streets of Belgrade, refugees from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, and beyond struggle with the living conditions they sought to escape. The harsh winter that has swept Europe, coupled with the bitter reception of refugees by European governments, has ensured that suffering and a perpetual feeling of

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Malaysia’s Humanitarian Response To The Rohingya of Myanmar

A group of Malaysian government and non-government organisations have pledged to send an aid flotilla bound for Rakhine state in Myanmar. The decision comes in the wake of devastating attacks upon the Rohingya population of Rakhine, who have faced ongoing persecution as a Muslim minority in a predominantly Buddhist country.

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The Dangers Of Being An Aid Worker In Conflict Settings

  On Monday 19 December, an aid worker for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was abducted in Afghanistan after he was taken from his vehicle between Mazar-i-Sharif and Kunduz. While the other aid workers were released, this latest abduction reflects a growing trend of danger and risk

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A New Chapter For Gambia

After 22 years of rule by a repressive autocrat, Gambia is now able to provide new hope for its people. The December elections resulted in the victory of Adama Barrow, who will take over the presidency of Yahya Jammeh. In a country where political opponents, dissidents, and journalists are imprisoned,

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Civilian Massacres In Eastern Democratic Republic Of Congo

  For the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the horrors of war are an everyday reality. In the eastern provinces of the country, this trauma is particularly acute. On Sunday 27 November, the Mai-Mai Mazembe militia attacked a displaced persons’ camp in Luhanga. According to local officials

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Police Violence In Rio’s Favelas

On Saturday 19 November, a police helicopter in Brazil’s capital of Rio de Janeiro crashed in the City of God favela. Four police officers were killed in the crash; however, the ensuing police raid into the favela caused another eleven casualties. The violence between drug gangs, militias, and police sparked

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Rising Cholera Cases In Yemen’s Forgotten Humanitarian Crisis

  The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that there are now 1,410 known cases of cholera in Yemen. On 6 October, Yemen’s Health Ministry announced the cholera outbreak. Caught between war and survival, the people of Yemen face an added threat from this latest development. The WHO has estimated

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The Human Cost Of The Battle For Mosul

On 17 October, Iraqi forces, Kurdish Peshmerga, and Shia militants launched their offensive to recapture the city of Mosul, Iraq, which has been under Islamic State (IS) control since June 2014. War strategy and tactics aside, this offensive will have devastating consequences for the 1.5 million civilians caught in the

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