Mary Racelis commented on "A MAGICAL ISLAND (by Horst Cerni)"
7 hours ago
Lucky you and your family, Horst! Lucky us to share your joys -- at least pictorially with text! Thanks, Mary
16 hours ago
The overall volume of aid has continuously increased over the past years, reaching an all-time high USD 223.7 billion in 2023, according to a statement by OECD made in April. The aid industry has been booming, and most recipient organization, including UNICEF, have continued increase their overheads and created an unsustainable workforce. There is no harm in cutting down on staff who feed an outdated bureaucracy.
Nuzhat Shahzadi commented on "A MAGICAL ISLAND (by Horst Cerni)"
17 hours ago
Welcome back, Horst! Beautiful story. Enjoyed reading it and the photographs!! ––your magical island has already cast a spell on me. Seriously considering visiting your island . . .
Kul Gautam commented on "Is the UN Ready for a Second Trump Presidency? : Thalif Deen / IPS"
18 hours ago
My dear Baquer,
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement which I always appreciate.
You are overly generous in praising my "...HIGH CREDIBILITY AND DEEP INFLUENCE...". I wish it were so, but alas my influence is miniscule and my credibility limited to a small circle of like-minded friends and colleagues.
As always, I share and admire your passion and commitment to peace, non-violence and the protection of children in difficult circumstances, including our shared advocacy of "children as a zone of peace". I fully share our collective vision for Co-Peace. But to be perfectly candid, I feel that our influence is limited largely to a small bubble of our like-minded friends and colleagues. That is why despite being very supportive of the vision and mission of Co-Peace, I have not been very actively engaged in it.
I do not say this to be pessimistic or discouraging, but to be realistic about our rather limited influence and impact. As you know, our own mother-UNICEF has never taken Co-Peace and its previous incarnations too seriously. Other well-established, large child-focused NGOs and UN entities too do not take our effort as seriously as we would like. Under the circumstances, I do not honestly see there being a significant breakthrough in fund-raising for Co-Peace.
It is a harsh, cold and cruel world of realpolitik out there. Thank goodness there still are many good-hearted and committed humanitarians and leaders with moral conscience out there, including The Elders. I count SG Antonio Guterres among them. We at Co-Peace should be supportive of them, as a matter of conscience and commitment. We must raise our voices for all good causes both individually and collectively at every possible opportunity – but cognizant of our very modest influence. Please count on me to be with you in this circumscribed circumstance.
In solidarity -
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement which I always appreciate.
You are overly generous in praising my "...HIGH CREDIBILITY AND DEEP INFLUENCE...". I wish it were so, but alas my influence is miniscule and my credibility limited to a small circle of like-minded friends and colleagues.
As always, I share and admire your passion and commitment to peace, non-violence and the protection of children in difficult circumstances, including our shared advocacy of "children as a zone of peace". I fully share our collective vision for Co-Peace. But to be perfectly candid, I feel that our influence is limited largely to a small bubble of our like-minded friends and colleagues. That is why despite being very supportive of the vision and mission of Co-Peace, I have not been very actively engaged in it.
I do not say this to be pessimistic or discouraging, but to be realistic about our rather limited influence and impact. As you know, our own mother-UNICEF has never taken Co-Peace and its previous incarnations too seriously. Other well-established, large child-focused NGOs and UN entities too do not take our effort as seriously as we would like. Under the circumstances, I do not honestly see there being a significant breakthrough in fund-raising for Co-Peace.
It is a harsh, cold and cruel world of realpolitik out there. Thank goodness there still are many good-hearted and committed humanitarians and leaders with moral conscience out there, including The Elders. I count SG Antonio Guterres among them. We at Co-Peace should be supportive of them, as a matter of conscience and commitment. We must raise our voices for all good causes both individually and collectively at every possible opportunity – but cognizant of our very modest influence. Please count on me to be with you in this circumscribed circumstance.
In solidarity -
In Response to a comment by Baquer Namazi
Baquer Namazi commented on "Is the UN Ready for a Second Trump Presidency? : Thalif Deen / IPS"
18 hours ago
Dear Kul,
I am truly motivated by the just and wise positions you take on important issues that have global implications for all the world's people, particularly deprived families.
In the last few days I have been reflecting and working on a fund raising strategy to support co-peace. I hope to be able to enlist the collaboration of the rich funding bodies in the ME region such as Qatar Foundation.
However, as you have well noted depending on most of the funding support from leading rich countries, especially the US will not only create risky dependency on major donor decision makers, who at times undertake positions that are radically different and often damaging to international entities pursuing humanitarian causes.
As we plan to convert our initiative into a global mass movement, we can also reflect and share our experiences to help boost financial independence of UN agencies. As I have said before the UN, particularly UNICEF should actively seek more close affinity with people based entities. I recall a big annual donation came from the Italian labor unions who donated one day's income of their members" to support UNICEF's child protection programmes. They also used their leverage with the Government to prevent cuts in support to UNICEF,
The issue you raised is very significant and deserves attention by all of us and leading humanitarians
SO MY SUGGESTION THAT YOU USE YOUR HIGH CREDIBILITYH AND DEEP INFLUENCE TO ORGANIZE AN ALLIANCE OF WELL WISHERS TO COME UP WITH PRACTICAL AND DOABLE SOLUTIONS WHICH WILL GENERATE THE FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE NEEDED CRUCIALLY.
I do not need to get into the ETHICAL aspects of this challenge. How many times we have sadly witnessed unprincipled decisions forced upon the UN system by BULLIES. Such compromises tends to seriously undermine the trust and faith of the masses in the international system.
What sayest thee my dear friend and guru
Baquer
Ps the broader fund raising initiative should be non confrontational so that the powers to be are not tempted to undermine it
I am truly motivated by the just and wise positions you take on important issues that have global implications for all the world's people, particularly deprived families.
In the last few days I have been reflecting and working on a fund raising strategy to support co-peace. I hope to be able to enlist the collaboration of the rich funding bodies in the ME region such as Qatar Foundation.
However, as you have well noted depending on most of the funding support from leading rich countries, especially the US will not only create risky dependency on major donor decision makers, who at times undertake positions that are radically different and often damaging to international entities pursuing humanitarian causes.
As we plan to convert our initiative into a global mass movement, we can also reflect and share our experiences to help boost financial independence of UN agencies. As I have said before the UN, particularly UNICEF should actively seek more close affinity with people based entities. I recall a big annual donation came from the Italian labor unions who donated one day's income of their members" to support UNICEF's child protection programmes. They also used their leverage with the Government to prevent cuts in support to UNICEF,
The issue you raised is very significant and deserves attention by all of us and leading humanitarians
SO MY SUGGESTION THAT YOU USE YOUR HIGH CREDIBILITYH AND DEEP INFLUENCE TO ORGANIZE AN ALLIANCE OF WELL WISHERS TO COME UP WITH PRACTICAL AND DOABLE SOLUTIONS WHICH WILL GENERATE THE FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE NEEDED CRUCIALLY.
I do not need to get into the ETHICAL aspects of this challenge. How many times we have sadly witnessed unprincipled decisions forced upon the UN system by BULLIES. Such compromises tends to seriously undermine the trust and faith of the masses in the international system.
What sayest thee my dear friend and guru
Baquer
Ps the broader fund raising initiative should be non confrontational so that the powers to be are not tempted to undermine it
20 hours ago
Good analysis, Ramesh. Sometimes democracy doesn't deliver desired outcomes. Trump got elected in 2016 in the US and look what has happened after that but there is a catch here––the electoral college which is absurd and overrides popular votes.
Yesterday
If the future of the UN depends on who becomes president in one of its 192 member states, then there is something capitally wrong with the UN.
Nuzhat Shahzadi commented on "On the Way . . . by Nuzhat Shahzadi"
2 days ago
Many thanks Naseem. I think we have met––at one time you were the communication officer with UNICEF-Islamabad, right? Those days I was with with ROSA. I visited our offices in Pakistan several times.
Margherita Amodeo commented on "Gaza - Polio Vaccines Have Arrived, Now the Work of Distributing Them : Hiba Yazbek / NY Times"
Aug 28, 2024
I am aghast at the impotence and the lack of authority and decisiveness of the UN in the face of such tremendous suffering being inflicted on innocent civilians. It practically amounts to a dereliction of duty.
Unknown commented on "On the Way . . . by Nuzhat Shahzadi"
Aug 28, 2024
Nuzhat Shazadi, delighted to hear your loud thinking, so beautifully expressed. Certainly we live in the time of hopelessness and our world needs some “wiser” breeze. Thanks for reminding me that our life is like a candle in our hands with which we walk in the wind.
“ Shikwa a zulmatay shub say tow kaheen bahtar thaa;
Apnay hissay ki shama tow jalatay jatay.
Khush raho.
Naseem ur Rehman
“ Shikwa a zulmatay shub say tow kaheen bahtar thaa;
Apnay hissay ki shama tow jalatay jatay.
Khush raho.
Naseem ur Rehman
Tom McDermott commented on "Gaza - Polio Vaccines Have Arrived, Now the Work of Distributing Them : Hiba Yazbek / NY Times"
Aug 27, 2024
Indeed, the 'evacuation order' yesterday by the IDF targets Deir al Balah near where the refrigerated storage for vaccines is located, and leaving 4 other UN warehouses directly in the area targetted for evacuation. The IDF has so far issued 16 such evacuation orders in August alone, making movement of personnel and supplies near impossible. “One thing for sure is that it’s almost impossible to lead a polio vaccination campaign at scale in an active combat zone,” said Jonathan Crickx of UNICEF.
In Response to a comment by Fouad Kronfol
Fouad Kronfol commented on "Gaza - Polio Vaccines Have Arrived, Now the Work of Distributing Them : Hiba Yazbek / NY Times"
Aug 27, 2024
This is positive news about UNICEF, but the "proof is in the pudding", and actioning the whole campaign is the BIG QUESTION when the IDF keeps enforcing evacuations and hits the hospitals/health units that can do the work...a Hurculean task awaits...
Cheers
Fouad
Cheers
Fouad
Baquer Namazi commented on "Gaza - Polio Vaccines Have Arrived, Now the Work of Distributing Them : Hiba Yazbek / NY Times"
Aug 27, 2024
Dear Mary,
From my perspective you have once again hit the nail on the head. One of the highly respected women leaders of Palestine also expressed dissatisfaction with bubbles for peace. As you and all our dear friends rightly stress it is the focus on children that lends high credibility to our campaign. Thus your version is more likely to generate the fire in the belly we are seeking.
The book which you kindly wrote an introduction and your wonderful editing was the result of extensive consultations. I can send you the introductory part which crystallizes the content. In fact our precious Karthika updated this part and I can request her to resend it to you. And with the para I shared earlier, and which by your endorsement you energized me to a great extent, will be my input to the concept note you are drafting.
Also remember we have agreed that the concept note will be a evolving document, constantly enrich with the new knowledge and experience we gain as we move forward. So please go easy on yourself.
Thanks again and best wishes
Baquer
From my perspective you have once again hit the nail on the head. One of the highly respected women leaders of Palestine also expressed dissatisfaction with bubbles for peace. As you and all our dear friends rightly stress it is the focus on children that lends high credibility to our campaign. Thus your version is more likely to generate the fire in the belly we are seeking.
The book which you kindly wrote an introduction and your wonderful editing was the result of extensive consultations. I can send you the introductory part which crystallizes the content. In fact our precious Karthika updated this part and I can request her to resend it to you. And with the para I shared earlier, and which by your endorsement you energized me to a great extent, will be my input to the concept note you are drafting.
Also remember we have agreed that the concept note will be a evolving document, constantly enrich with the new knowledge and experience we gain as we move forward. So please go easy on yourself.
Thanks again and best wishes
Baquer
In Response to a comment by Mary Racelis
Mary Racelis commented on "Gaza - Polio Vaccines Have Arrived, Now the Work of Distributing Them : Hiba Yazbek / NY Times"
Aug 27, 2024
Dear Baquer,
Thank you so much for sending this article.I hadn't seen this account of UNICEF at last bringing vaccination to Gaza and calling again for a humanitarian pause. What a herculean logistics task!
Being picky, I prefer "Corridors for Children" to "humanitarian pause." The former emphasizes REACHING CHILDREN. But whatever works. I think of and grieve for all those children who could live to adulthood but might not if they don't get the basic survival support now -- vaccination, food, care, watsan, freedom from bombs and so much more. Let's hope and pray.
Mary
Thank you so much for sending this article.I hadn't seen this account of UNICEF at last bringing vaccination to Gaza and calling again for a humanitarian pause. What a herculean logistics task!
Being picky, I prefer "Corridors for Children" to "humanitarian pause." The former emphasizes REACHING CHILDREN. But whatever works. I think of and grieve for all those children who could live to adulthood but might not if they don't get the basic survival support now -- vaccination, food, care, watsan, freedom from bombs and so much more. Let's hope and pray.
Mary
Unknown commented on "Baghdad - Bittersweet Memories by Margherita Amodeo"
Aug 27, 2024
Every 19th August brings back the trauma of the Canal Hotel Bombing. I was the first in MENARO to get the terrible news including the report that among many others we had lost Chris Kline Beekman a rising star of UNICEF.
In Response to a comment by Unknown
Aug 26, 2024
Thanks Rafah and Fouad. You are right, it did not look too blue... perhaps the clouds? Doreen
Unknown commented on "Baghdad - Bittersweet Memories by Margherita Amodeo"
Aug 26, 2024
Kamala Harris is not genuine. So the choice is between a crook and a fake. In her speech she repeated the still unproven rape allegations on October 7 but not the proven rape of palestinian prisoners by israeli authorities. She could have at least let a Palestinian American speak for a few minutes. Even the parents of the israeli hostage who spoke earlier endorsed the idea. One again a country filled with talent is forced to accept the lesser of 2 evils.
rafah aziz commented on "Photo of the Week - Once Upon a Super Blue Moon : Doreen and Adrian Lobo"
Aug 26, 2024
Thanks 🙏 interesting to know why it is called that when it is not blue 👍 it was magnificent witnessed from the air on my way back to london .
Gautam Banerji commented on "Baghdad - Bittersweet Memories by Margherita Amodeo"
Aug 26, 2024
Paula and Fouad have said it all. Yes it’s a collective ‘we’ Paula that I used for the international community as a whole. It includes the hypocrisy and double standards exercised while wielding the power of veto in the UNSC. And regrettably as you state Paula, running around in our tennis shoes with all good intentions to heal the wounds with bandaids we carry, we remain conditioned by bigger powers over which we hold no influence. Yes UNICEF is bound by its limitations. Commenting on Fouad’s observations. yes politicians thrive on rhetoric, Kamala Harris not excepted. In the words of Antonio Gramsci, “The old world is dying and the new world struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters.”
Aug 25, 2024
Yes, indeed it is a shame how little the UN and diplomacy are involved in peacemaking efforts while the main interlocuters in Gaza/Palestine seem to be the CIA, Mossad, and the security leaders of other countries. We are reminded that Dag Hammarsjkold and even U Thant (see the interview with his grandson) seemed to have been much more involved, with varying degrees of success.
Aug 25, 2024
Here we have, again, more statistics on the number of deaths of innocent people in Gaza. In fact there are two articles back to back in this blog. Have we all become so inured to such information that we simply gloss over it and turn to other matters? We are talking about women and children mainly, the principal objectives of our organization and our careers and yet it seems that nothing seems to work to stop the carnage. All politicians are talking about is a cease fire, hostage exchange and more humanitarian aid (not forthcoming so far), while many more hundreds are being killed daily. Has the civilized world sunk so low?
Aug 25, 2024
Really fascinating interview which I strongly recommend to all who are interested in Viet Nam. There was so much that I had not known about the backgrounds of U Thant and Lyndon Johnson. Also most surprising to me was how much the late SG had involvement in highly delicate political matters and what influence he brought to bear on matters of state. It is too bad, in retrospect, that his views and suggestions were not successful in preventing another useless, destructive and inhuman conflict that affected millions of innocent human beings.
Aug 25, 2024
Great photo...it does not look too blue to me though !!
Aug 25, 2024
Good progress in preparations. Congratulations. One comment: Please do not use "Xunicefers" for the group description. This has been discussed often in other reunions and we have emphasized that our brand name is "XUNICEF" of which we are all members or participants and this is what should be used to describe our network. Many thanks in advance.
Aug 25, 2024
You hit the nail on its head Paula. I had the same despondent feeling at the end of the speech while enjoying the rest of it and her uplifting personality. Yes, it is a shame that countries have to be destroyed in order to develop them. Marguerita, you have so ably and intelligently presented your brief memoire of Baghdad and your experiences there. It is very useful for our colleagues to share such matters with others as these articles bring forth very different images of the places we all worked in from the UNICEF documents written in dry UN'ese. I have said it before and am saying it now, Iraq was the most viable country in the Arab world and will come back to its status eventually. Many thanks indeed.
Richard Bridle commented on "Senior Staff Announcement-Edouard Beigbeder"
Aug 25, 2024
What would Roy Wood Jr say?
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ehK2JXxPHAhntcXa/?mibextid=GOdwvm
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ehK2JXxPHAhntcXa/?mibextid=GOdwvm
In Response to a comment by Fouad Kronfol
Paula Claycomb commented on "Baghdad - Bittersweet Memories by Margherita Amodeo"
Aug 25, 2024
Beautifully written with gorgeous photos, Marguerita. I agree with Gautam and your comments. I know the UN had (and still does) plenty of flaws, but it unfortunately is at the mercy of its Member States and the outdated Security Council structure. I'm afraid our poor little world is in for more of the same. As wonderfully articulate, intelligent and joyful as Kamala Harris is, I was greatly disappointed by her bellicose tone and representation of the US and its military might.
Unknown commented on "Baghdad - Bittersweet Memories by Margherita Amodeo"
Aug 25, 2024
Yes the UN failed in both Iraq and Afghanistan. We were more concerned with our wellbeing than that of the poor country we were there to support. I hope and keep my fingers crossed that this horrific experience doesn’t repeat in Iran.
In Response to a comment by Unknown
Gautam Banerji commented on "Baghdad - Bittersweet Memories by Margherita Amodeo"
Aug 25, 2024
The post above is mine. I have no intention to remain anonymous. Regrettably the anonymity comes by default and not by intention. That’s my confession to those who have suffered similarly in the past. Just change the setting before you click on ‘publish’!
Unknown commented on "Baghdad - Bittersweet Memories by Margherita Amodeo"
Aug 25, 2024
It evokes many sad memories that we experienced towards the end of my close to five years with UNICEF Iraq between 1991-1995. I remember your visits during that time. Yes it was a different Baghdad when we moved in. It was already close to what you experienced subsequent to my departure. And it was far worse when I made the second visit for a year between 2009-2010 under a US State Department task order. To own up to it, we have failed in Iraq no less than we have failed in Afghanistan. My short assignment in Kabul in 2018 on a USAID contract told the same story. Nonetheless, Baghdad gave me many pleasant memories to cherish. I am foolishly naive but I do believe strongly that Iraq will rise again from its ashes. Thank you Margherita for taking me on this journey down memory Lane!
Aug 25, 2024
Brilliant. Evocative. Empathetic. Thank you.
Carlos Santos-Tejada commented on "Baghdad - Bittersweet Memories by Margherita Amodeo"
Aug 25, 2024
Thank you Margherite for making me remember, through your great descriptions, my very short stay in Baghdad (precisely to set up the financial structure for OFFP). I always wondered with sadness why a country needed to be destroyed
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Afghanistan:
ReplyDeleteDear friends, we have probably all seen the latest Taliban decree that totally silences women. As a rights-based agency, I would have expected an immediate, damning statement from the ED on this. However,
• UNICEF Afghanistan concentrates on alleviating the humanitarian crises and on attempting to maintain some rudimentary health services, or watsan access https://x.com/UNICEFAfg/status/1830144080019374497?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
• The UN apparently gave in, at recent Doha-based talks on Afghanistan, to excluding women's representation.
Perhaps these are tactical moves so as to be able to “stay and deliver”, with statements (press or in briefings) emphasising how UNICEF can, since the takeover by the Taliban, operate throughout the country, since (openly - violent) terrorist attacks have ceased.
Any insider knowledge and views on this approach?
Gabriele, you are right - the silence from UNICEF and other involved UN agencies is deafening. One would have expected at least one agency chief or the SG to speak out since the Taliban published these rules on 21 August. The silence suggests that some internal UN strategy is at work - or is it? The only UN voice on the issue came from Roza Otunbayeva, who heads the U.N. mission and said that the laws provided a “distressing vision” for Afghanistan’s future“. The Taliban response apparently threatened to terminate relations with the mission and those "who do not understand Islamic law". Perhaps that threat has led to the silence?
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