6 hours ago
I hope the present dedicated UNICEF staff will listen to advice of wise gurus, such as Kul and ensure that the valuable information on history of past performance and experiences are not lost to current and future generations. Baquer
6 hours ago
Hi, Naan in west Asian countries really delicious. Basmati rice cannot compete with Iranian rice, so said an Indian Minister visiting Iran, But best is to mix the two and you get a great combination Being vegetarian in the Middle East is sometimes a challenge. I was always sensitive to vegetarian guests who participated in meetings and workshops set up in Tehran. I too became a vegetarian, with exception of fish a couple of years before being imprisoned. But in prison in became very difficult and I would have to stick to yogurt and rice, which was not a helpful diet when I was increasingly lost strength, and my health was declining. However, I stayed away from red meat Kebabs served in prison, especially koobedeh (minced meat). And the cats that kept us company were delighted to take the kebab off my hands. Enjoy your stories. Keep healthy and happy Bless you and your kind heart Baquer Namazi
Nuzhat Shahzadi commented on "Up close and Personal - Streets of Rwanda: Nuzhat Shahzadi"
19 hours ago
Dear Peter, greetings. Many thanks for your appreciation for my column on Rwanda. The Rwanda case is a sad lesson–– how the west and the UN failed! But do we learn from history? I was aware of Linda Melvern's book but never got the opportunity to read it. Possibly, I didn't and don't have the courage to read it. In my adolescence, West Pakistani forces launched a genocide against its own citizens in East Pakistan of the Bengalee race. Approximately 3 million people were butchered, 100,000-500,000 women and girls were raped, millions fled to India as refugees. Though the number of actual victims are disputed in the absence of proper documentation, it's unanimously accepted that it was high– killing and rape. The genocide was planned well ahead by the west Pakistani army and their political leaders. The western countries watched the killings, allowed it to happen. In fact, US was ready to send its 7th Feet to aid Pakistan. I am a Bengalee. Family friends and relatives were slaughtered. My dad, a Military doctor in the Pakistan army was arrested in December, 1971 in Lahore where he was posted at the time and served as a POW for over 3 years. Our house in Lahore cantonment was looted under the command of a Pakistani military officer as my dad watched. Dad was a man of courage and wisdom. He had sent my mom and us–siblings back to Dhaka in Aug 1971. We stayed in our grandparents' village home and escaped much of the horrors. I have given you a full account . . . Take care. With warm wishes, Nuzhat
In Response to a comment by Peter Greaves
Peter Greaves commented on "Up close and Personal - Streets of Rwanda: Nuzhat Shahzadi"
24 hours ago
Dear Nuzhat, I have greatly appreciated your story about Rwanda – "enjoyed" doesn't seem appropriate, somehow… It so happens that I know well the British investigative journalist Linda Melvern, who for 27 years has been researching and writing about the genocide of the Tutsi. You may be familiar with some of her work, but might like to consult her website : https://lindamelvern.com , which inter alia describes the 3 books she has written about it. The last, Intent to Deceive , was published this year and is very timely, dealing as it does with the business of denial which is if anything becoming increasingly and disturbingly widespread. Incidentally, you write that in adolescence you "survived a horrific genocide". Would you be so kind and tell me where that was? Kind regards Peter Greaves
2 days ago
Thanks a lot Victor for sharing this amazing and so interesting letter that Suzanne wrote. Regards Karin
2 days ago
Thanks a lot Victor for sharing this amazing and so interesting letter that Suzanne wrote. Regards Karin
Unknown commented on "Our Travelers of the Week - Detlef and Gabi Palm"
Jul 28, 2021
Thank you dear Gabi and Detlef for sharing such an amazing adventurous trip with wonderful pictures which speak by themselves. This story made my day and I fully enjoyed it as I was traveling myself. You are an amazing couple and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work closely with Detlef. Stay healthy, in a great shape and keep your adventurous spirit high. We look forward to welcoming you again to Albania. Ori
Jul 28, 2021
ED Fore efforts to bring a new work place culture was extremely important and highly appreciated.
Jul 28, 2021
Detlef and Gabi - you are just wonderful. Thank you for this beautiful diary.
Dev Chopra commented on "Discussion on COVID Orphans - Steve Umemoto and others"
Jul 27, 2021
Dear Respected Steve Umemoto ji, i have always respected you, your feelings and your openness + more where programming and its support is concerned.. i share my immediate views on the tragic situation our country, under the pandemic has been going through. Not that you are not aware. Yet no one knows how long it will take for all to have got their 1-2 shots, by the close of this year...IT for sure will go far beyond & deep into 2022 ! You quoted as follows:-- " According to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, 577 children have lost their parents to COVID-19 from 1 April to 25 May. UNICEF also works with state governments to develop advisories and protocols for communities, hospitals etc. for children who have lost either one or both parents or if parents are in hospital and children need temporary care. UNICEF builds capacities of the frontline functionaries so that they can support these children." With time's passage the number for sure, will double as this year moves into March/April 2022. The system is not open enough to share their rough programming now at this time and beyond till 31 December and still beyond till 31 st March 2022. It may get to be double to 1154... may be! IF one were to go by the above and we from the international {or national} agencies offer funding --- it may get the response to send it all off to the "PM Cares Fund." {UN agencies are "slow" in programming effort and are rightly concerned how best their resources get utilised, on the ground, with our involvement with the said State levels.} Could it not be better for our national office and the Rep. to indicate which specific States it would take up on account of our own staff strength and ability. Example: -- Gujerat+Maharashtra + UP & Bihar. That should remain the area of the Rep's Office to decide.... Ability + programming support ought to be our concern. Moving Unicef collected funding ought to follow our traditional approach. IF that is what our programming effort could negotiate with the system. And with time to be part of the national funding system of the States concerned and the Centre. That we do not "get lost" where "PM Cares Fund" is concerned. {It is already a part of undue controversies.} i may have transgressed into areas of concern for the Unicef Rep to best determine, naturally. But thought i would share my thoughts as per your own timely communication and concern on the subject. Warm regards Stay Safe and in Peace dev chopra in gurugram
Horst Max Cerni commented on "Dance around the world : Fouad Kronfol"
Jul 26, 2021
good fun - more than the Olynpics.
Horst Max Cerni commented on "Dance around the world : Fouad Kronfol"
Jul 26, 2021
Good fun, more than the Olympics.
Jul 26, 2021
Great trip. You should have gotten a sales agreement to sell Pine Powder pipes. Even good against immunizations???
Steve Umemoto commented on "Discussion on COVID Orphans - Steve Umemoto and others"
Jul 26, 2021
I found the passage below in an article on the UNICEF India website. However as fast as things are moving, I would guess that the needs are much, much greated NOW than the article seems to reflect. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNICEF is working with state governments and partners to ensure that children left unattended or orphaned due to COVID-19 are supported in tracing their extended families e.g., grandparents, provided with counselling support or brought to shelter homes and reported to the national CHILDLINE. According to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, 577 children have lost their parents to COVID-19 from 1 April to 25 May. UNICEF also works with state governments to develop advisories and protocols for communities, hospitals etc. for children who have lost either one or both parents or if parents are in hospital and children need temporary care. UNICEF builds capacities of the frontline functionaries so that they can support these children.
Steve Umemoto commented on "Discussion on COVID Orphans - Steve Umemoto and others"
Jul 26, 2021
The tragic results of the pandemic will, of course, impact hundreds of thousands, if not millions of children across the country, and there will be a host of problems, needs and possible solutions. However, if our group is to consider doing anything for even a small portion of these children, perhaps we should consider focussing first on the most in need - the most deprived. This would most probably be those from the poorest levels of society where extended families hardly exist or are so poor that they may be challenged to take on even one more mouth to feed, and where community-wide proverty means very limited resources as well. The sugestion that it would be good to learn what UNICEF may already be doing or consdiering to do for some of these groups is a good one. I wonder if our members living in Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, etc. might be able to establish some informal contact with friends in UNICEF state offices to see what they are thinking about, planning or actually beginning to implement. They, and perhaps some of their local government and NGO partners may have ideas on how we might be able to help, and what could be accomplished if we were able to raise some modest resources in support of these children. Might this be a first practical stop on our part? Best wishes and stay safe, Steve
Jul 26, 2021
Emotion is in every picture. All of them are impressive, they "talk" to our heart. Thank you, Luzma.
Jul 26, 2021
I have friends who studied in Bulgaria and Romania. one of my son is just back from Hungaria. I have never been to any of those countries. But with this extraordinary photostory, it was as if I were there, as if I always have been there. Thank you for your "Just in case you don't know the Georgian alphabet, there is a translation in Russian with cyrillic script", because, yes, we always have been familiar with the cyrillic alphabet. I was great!
Madan Arora commented on "Discussion on COVID Orphans - Steve Umemoto and others"
Jul 25, 2021
CHILDREN MUST COME FIRST - however, the extended families who have cashed out the insurance proceeds or got help from the Prime Minister or other governmental sources should be mandated to take care of the affected children and proper follow up of any mistreatment to such children should be done - such cases often lead to misuse!!! Again for the adoption of children,GOI has good laws which should be followed - India is already facing the danger of the third wave and Delta - hope everyone gets vaccinated and follow the preventive steps recommended by the health authorities - even today we see open unprotected crowds??? our prayer is let everyone be safe and healthy, madan arora - florida, usa n.b.: cases here also are increasing as about 45% refuse to get free vaccination available???
Jul 25, 2021
Yes, indeed, Kul. Times are changing and it is also time to move away from those US imposed ExDir. appointments. No doubt, there are highly capable and experienced female candidates "out there", who are not Americans, and who would bring fresh air, New knowledge and thinking into the organization. Although important, money is not everything that counts in an organization serving all the world's children. We need to revitalize the HR thinking and practise. Hence, the UNSG should request that the US ratify the CRC before it is eligible for a New Executive Director! ☺️
In Response to a comment by Kul Gautam
Jul 25, 2021
Fantastic, thanks for sharing!
Jul 25, 2021
Fantastic thanks for sharing. You both are such adventurous!
Jul 24, 2021
Photos are fantastic. Almost like I took the trip. Thanks for sharing Detlef and Gabi.
Asha Saxena commented on "Discussion on COVID Orphans - Steve Umemoto and others"
Jul 24, 2021
Dear all: Hi: Sharing my two bit thoughts on the subject: There were individual stories when second wave was at its peak that those who had lost both parents but their parents had good financial resources when alive, extended families had taken over their care and insurances of parents but having done that how is those children's actual life probably needs oversight and some advocacy towards it. Adoption by relatives also becomes family issue and enquiries about their fate probably construed as interference - so the overseeing body whether Commission for Child Rights or any other also needs to tread carefully. Poor orphan children or single parents with children : Enlisting and reaching them the government/Prime Minister financial assistance, overseeing their care as well as psychological support and social connection might be crucial to their well being. Adoption has always been a solution which to my reckoning UNICEF has been advocating since the 80s and maybe continues to support in different ways taking due care to prevent trafficking. Publicizing and easing procedures for local and foreign adoption of covid orphans might certainly pick up well. It would be nice I think for all of us to learn of UNICEF and NGO initiatives in this direction and share. Keep safe. Asha
Jul 24, 2021
Thanks Detlef for sharing this pictorial story. It reminded me of xUNICEF organized trip to Armenia and Georgia in 2019. Great places to visit in both countries. Cheers!
Labels
Comments
Labels:
Comments
Comments
Post a Comment
If you are a member of XUNICEF, you can comment directly on a post. Or, send your comments to us at xunicef.news.views@gmail.com and we will publish them for you.