Redwan Ahmed is a freelance journalist and fixer/local producer based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He reports on human rights, the readymade garments industry, and climate change issues. He also covers any breaking news.

'I've lost everything once again': Rohingya recount horror of Cox's Bazar blaze

24 Mar 2021  |  the Guardian  |  English  |  Fire Disaster

A devastating fire swept through the Cox's Bazar refugee camp in Bangladesh, killing at least 15 people and displacing around 45,000. Marium Khatun, a resident of the camp, narrowly escaped with her baby, while her other family members were elsewhere. They were later reunited but found their home destroyed. The World Food Programme provided aid, and the Bangladeshi government, along with the UNHCR, is assisting the affected Rohingya refugees. Eyewitness Mohammad Selim described the chaos and the community's efforts to control the fire. Bangladesh hosts over a million Rohingya refugees, who fled Myanmar following a military crackdown in 2017, which the UN has labeled as having genocidal intent, a claim Myanmar denies.

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World Food Programme

Factual

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Busani Bafana is a journalist based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

"Now that the climate has changed, it is time for farmers to change too," researchers say

17 Nov 2023  |  news.trust.org  |  English  |  Food Security

In Zimbabwe's Masvingo Province, farmers like Aplonia Marutsvaka are successfully harvesting maize despite extreme heat and drought conditions, thanks to heat-tolerant maize seeds developed by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the Research Programme on Maize of CGIAR. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, these seeds have been trialed in several African countries and have shown better performance than other hybrids. The seeds are also drought-tolerant, which is crucial for areas with low annual rainfall. The United Nations World Food Programme has noted a significant drop in maize production due to drought, which has led to food shortages. The heat-tolerant seeds are expected to be widely available by 2018, and local companies anticipate increased sales. The success of these seeds in Zaka District is encouraging other farmers to adopt them, with the potential to improve food security in regions affected by climate change.

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United Nations World Food Programme Research Programme on Maize of CGIAR International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) U.S. Agency for International Development Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa project Zimbabwe Super Seeds

Michele Bertelli is a journalist based in Milan, Italy.

Journalist, video producer and communication consultant with 10 years of experience, I have been reporting on international news, migration, development, health, human rights and the climate crisis in Italy, Latin America and South Sudan. ...

A woman’s burden in war-torn South Sudan

30 Sept 2017  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Women's Issues

In South Sudan, women bear the brunt of a war that has caused mass displacement and famine. With men fighting or herding livestock, women like Nadia, a single mother, struggle to provide for their families. NGOs like the AVSI Foundation, in partnership with the World Food Programme and UNICEF, offer vital services such as healthcare and education. Despite constitutional guarantees of gender equality, the reality for women in South Sudan remains grim, with limited access to education and healthcare. Child marriages are on the rise, and women are often left to fend for themselves and their children. The story highlights the resilience of South Sudanese women and their critical role in sustaining their communities amidst the ongoing conflict.

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World Food Programme AVSI Foundation UNICEF

Informative

Factuality Scale

Laurel Chor is a freelance photographer, writer and filmmaker based in Hong Kong. She was most recently the Asia reporter/producer for VICE News Tonight on HBO, where her film about Chinese migrant workers won an Overseas Press Club of America award in 2019. Before that, she was the Managing Editor ...

I am a writer. Recent subjects have included a short story about a hunt for unique gestures amid the sad repetitions of stock photography, an essay about money and migration in Juba, South Sudan, and a grammar of redacted documents. 

Currently, I am a 2014 UNESCO Laureate Artist in Creative ...

The Angel’s Dilemma

01 Sept 2023  |  The Baffler  |  English  |  Economic Dominance

In South Sudan, humanitarian agencies dominate the local economy, leading to widespread discontent among the youth who demand jobs and better labor conditions. The article critiques the entrenched economic dominance and paternalistic practices of these agencies, highlighting the protests and labor strikes against them. It also discusses the broader political economy of humanitarianism, tracing its history and the influence of Western donor countries. The piece calls for a shift towards local empowerment and self-determination, criticizing the current system as fundamentally antidemocratic and perpetuating dependency.

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World Food Programme Save the Children International Rescue Committee

Interpretive

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Left

Political View

Freya Graham is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom.

How will climate change impact Mozambique?

10 Nov 2023  |  Zitamar News  |  English  |  Economic Impact

Mozambique, contributing only 0.02% to global carbon dioxide emissions, faces severe climate change impacts, being the third most vulnerable country in Africa to disaster risk. The country has experienced numerous extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, cyclones, and epidemics, with future projections indicating increased frequency and intensity of such events. Mozambique's economy, particularly its agriculture sector, is significantly affected by these events. The country is adapting through early warning systems, climate adaptation projects funded by the AfDB, and infrastructure improvements supported by the World Bank. However, Mozambique's adaptation efforts are underfunded, prompting calls for greater financial support. Mozambique will present its climate change adaptation plan at COP28.

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World Bank World Food Programme AfDB

Factual

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Fred Harter is the Ethiopia correspondent for The Times of London. He also writes for The Independent and the Africa Report, and appears regularly on Times Radio and the BBC World Service.

He is available available for print stories, radio phoners, research and corporate work.

Food aid suspended in Ethiopia after ‘widespread and coordinated’ thievery

09 Jun 2023  |  www.theguardian.com  |  English  |  Theft of Aid Supplies

The World Food Programme (WFP) and the US Agency for International Development (USAid) have suspended food aid to Ethiopia following the discovery of a widespread theft of humanitarian supplies. The thefts were uncovered during a countrywide review by USAid, which found that the aid was being diverted by a coordinated campaign involving Ethiopian government officials and military units. Over 20 million Ethiopians depend on humanitarian aid due to civil conflict and severe drought. Previously, aid to the Tigray region had been suspended amid similar concerns. An internal memo from foreign donors and a USAid document, which was later removed from their website, provided evidence of the diversion of aid. The Ethiopian government has promised an investigation, while the WFP's Ethiopia country director, Claude Jibidar, is currently on leave with speculation about his resignation.

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World Food Programme (WFP) US Agency for International Development (USAid)

Informative

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Freelance journalist and researcher from Rakhine State, covering politics, humanitarian crisis, civil war, and military coup in Myanmar.

Food fears for displaced and locked down in Myanmar’s Rakhine

30 Jul 2021  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Humanitarian Crisis

Thousands of displaced people in Myanmar's Rakhine State face severe food shortages and inadequate COVID-19 prevention measures due to lockdowns and the military coup. The Sin Bawkaing camp, housing nearly 4,000 people, is under lockdown after COVID-19 cases emerged. Humanitarian aid is limited, with organizations like the World Food Programme and the International Committee of the Red Cross providing insufficient relief. The Arakan Army, now a significant political force in the state, has issued stay-at-home orders to curb the virus spread. The situation is exacerbated by the military's restrictions on aid and the ongoing political and economic crisis.

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World Food Programme International Committee of the Red Cross

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

Monique John is a journalist who focuses on sexual and gender-based violence, the African Diaspora, health and education.

Emidio Jozine is a journalist based in Maputo, Mozambique.

'They Cut His Head Off': Grief Torments Mozambique Terror Survivors

11 Dec 2020  |  International Business Times  |  English  |  Terrorism

The article tells the harrowing story of Rabia Ali and Muanassa Amulia, two women affected by the Islamist insurgency in northern Mozambique. Ali lost her husband, son, and brother-in-law to beheadings by militants and now lives in a displacement camp in Metuge with her children and grandchildren, struggling to find enough food. Amulia's son was killed, and her granddaughters were kidnapped by insurgents during a raid. The jihadist group, locally known as Al-Shabab and linked to the Islamic State, has been responsible for over 700 attacks and more than 2,400 deaths since 2017. The World Food Programme has provided some assistance, but the needs of the displaced are immense. The article highlights the brutality of the conflict and the suffering of civilians caught in the violence.

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World Food Programme

Madalitso Kateta is a Malawian freelance journalist based in the capital Lilongwe. Kateta specialises in developmental reporting, mostly reporting on Human Rights including Gender and Child Rights, Environment and Economics.

Malawi’s hunger season

17 Feb 2016  |  www.thenewhumanitarian.org  |  English  |  Agriculture

Malawi is experiencing its worst food crisis in over a decade due to a combination of floods, drought, and the impact of climate change. The crisis has left 2.86 million Malawians food insecure, with many relying on cash assistance from the World Food Programme. The government has imported maize and released emergency stocks, but logistical issues and a black market have led to shortages and high prices. President Peter Mutharika has threatened legal action against profiteering. The crisis has highlighted the need for agricultural diversification and modernization, including the use of irrigation technologies and drought-resistant crops. Despite a government subsidy program for seeds and fertilizer, the crisis persists, with a $146 million appeal for a Food Insecurity Response Plan remaining underfunded.

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World Food Programme ADMARC

Factual

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MOHAMMAD KEPAYET ullah is a Bangladeshi journalist and a regular contributor to international opinion platforms like Modern Diplomacy, South Asia Journal and South Asia Monitor. More than a dozen of his opinion articles on different burning issues like the Rohingya crisis, food safety, COVID 19 ...

COVID-19: 1.1 million refugees are extremely vulnerable in Bangladesh

20 May 2020  |  Modern Diplomacy  |  English  |  Refugee Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a severe threat to the 1.1 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar, with emergency teams working to prevent an outbreak. The refugees face extreme vulnerability due to overcrowded living conditions, lack of clean water, and limited access to information. The World Food Programme has appealed for $320 million to support the most vulnerable, while Save the Children urges international solidarity. The Bangladeshi government has implemented measures like lockdowns and awareness campaigns but struggles with its own COVID-19 challenges. Comprehensive healthcare, sanitation, and proper quarantine measures are urgently needed to protect the refugee population.

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World Food Programme Save the Children

Interpretive

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My name is Terry Madyauta. I am a qualified and award-winning Zimbabwean journalist with six years experience. I write for NewsDay Zimbabwe and FARPost which is based in South Africa I've been a reporter since 2017.

Govt prepares to feed 2,7m starving people

17 Mar 2024  |  NewsDay  |  English  |  Humanitarian Aid

Zimbabwe's Social Welfare minister July Moyo announced a food distribution program to aid 2.7 million food-insecure people, running until March. The government and the World Food Programme (WFP) are collaborating, with the government covering 56 districts and WFP handling four districts. The most affected areas include Binga, Kariba, and Mt Darwin. The Zimbabwe Livelihood Assessment Committee Report indicated that 26% of the population is food insecure. The government requires ZWL$43.7 billion for the program, which includes grain transportation and distribution. Measures against the El Niño phenomenon include promoting drought-tolerant crops and the Pfumvudza/Intwasa farming concept, as well as projects like irrigation schemes and borehole drilling to enhance food security.

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World Food Programme

Faisal Mahmud is a journalist with over a decade of experience in working with three national English daily newspapers of Bangladesh—The Independent, Dhaka Tribune and The Business Standard.  Before switching his career to professional journalism, Faisal worked in the IT industry for two years. He ...

Six years of Rohingya exodus: Food crisis and fears of a ‘lost generation’

25 Aug 2023  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Refugees

The article highlights the ongoing plight of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, six years after fleeing Myanmar due to military persecution. It details the dire living conditions, food crisis, and lack of educational opportunities in the refugee camps. The article underscores the challenges faced by the refugees, including failed repatriation attempts and hostility from the host community. Humanitarian organizations express concern over funding shortfalls and the risk of a 'lost generation' among Rohingya children. The international community is urged to provide more support and work towards a safe and dignified return for the refugees.

Tags:

World Food Programme Save the Children

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

Wallace Mawire is a journalist based in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Global South's Role in Alleviating Zimbabwe's Food Insecurity Highlighted by WFP

12 Sept 2023  |  panafricanvisions.com  |  English  |  Sustainable Development

On the International day of South-South Cooperation, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) recognized the contributions of Brazil, China, India, and South Africa to combat food insecurity in Zimbabwe. These countries have shared resources, expertise, and technology to support local farmers and strengthen food security. China has provided e-commerce and horticulture training, while India focuses on climate change mitigation through the cultivation of drought-tolerant crops. South Africa donated maize meal after Cyclone Idai, and Brazil offers policy support for school feeding programs. WFP is working with the Zimbabwe government to develop a strategic plan for sustainable and resilient social protection programs.

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United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Knowledge Transfer Africa (eMkambo) China-Aid Agricultural Technology and Demonstration Centre

Andrei Popoviciu is an independent investigative journalist, reporter, audio-visual producer and photographer covering human rights, security, migration, international development and foreign affairs stories across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He is currently based in Dakar, Senegal but has ...

Yemen: Saudi Arabia bombs Sanaa airport after telling civilians to evacuate

17 Mar 2024  |  Middle East Eye  |  English  |  Airport Closure

Sanaa airport, a crucial hub for humanitarian aid in Yemen, has been closed for three days and was targeted by airstrikes. The airport, controlled by the Houthi movement, has been at the center of the conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen's government. The closure has halted the delivery of vital aid, including food and medicine. International organizations, including the Norwegian Refugee Council, UNICEF, and the World Food Programme, have emphasized the airport's importance for aid delivery and called for its immediate reopening. Medecins Sans Frontieres highlighted the impact of the closure on humanitarian operations. The Saudi-led coalition has enforced a blockade on Yemen since 2016, allowing only essential humanitarian flights. The recent airstrikes were in response to Houthi drone attacks, including one aimed at Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah airport.

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World Food Programme Norwegian Refugee Council United Nations Unicef Medecins Sans Frontieres Saudi Press Agency

Dimo Silva Aurelio, is a South Sudanese freelance journalist, who has written extensively on South Sudan's conflict and human rights issues in the Country, he visited refugees in camps in Uganda who gave their accounts of the conflict.

Before the conflict broke out in South Sudan in 2013, he ...

Tens of thousands face starvation in South Sudan, despite peace deal

22 Feb 2019  |  The Globe Post  |  English  |  Sexual Violence

The article reports on the severe food insecurity and ongoing civil war in South Sudan, despite a peace deal signed six months prior. The National Bureau of Statistics and U.N. agencies have indicated that nearly seven million people, or two-thirds of the country, are facing extreme hunger. Isaiah Chol Aruai, the chairman of the National Bureau of Statistics, and representatives from the World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization have called for increased aid to prevent a further crisis. The U.N. has classified 30,000 people in the Jonglei and Lakes regions as being in a 'catastrophe' level of hunger, with the potential for this number to increase to 50,000 without aid. The article also touches on the endemic sexual violence in South Sudan, with reports of widespread rape and physical violence, particularly in the northern Unity region.

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Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) World Food Programme (WFP)

Jake Simkin is a photojournalist based in Kabul, Afghanistan. 

He has covered conflict in Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria, Iraq and Sth Sudan. 
Photo book: Afghanistan: The fall of the US footprint and the Rise of Taliban will be published in Spring 2022.
Shooter Producer of Netflix documentary ...

A photographer’s odyssey to cover an escalating conflict

17 Jul 2015  |  Roads & Kingdoms  |  English  |  Humanitarian Aid

The article recounts the personal experiences of a freelance photojournalist attempting to cover the escalating conflict in Yemen. The journalist navigates numerous obstacles, including negotiating with a fixer, coordinating with humanitarian groups, and facing the challenges of entering a warzone. Despite the risks and the refusal of his colleague's employer, Vocativ, to approve the journey due to security concerns, the journalist persists. He describes his interactions with the Houthi rebels, the difficulties of travel, and the dire situation of Yemeni refugees. Ultimately, after being detained and questioned by the Houthis, the journalist is forced to return to Djibouti without achieving his goal of reporting from within Yemen.

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World Food Programme Vocativ Doctors Without Borders Red Cross