Salem-News.com Volunteers articles Page 3

650 Missing After Catastrophic Flood Strikes Philippine Islands

Experts warn that the death toll will be significantly higher before it is over.

(MINDANAO, Philippines) - Flashfloods that were triggered by tropical storm Sendong hit Cagayan de Oro City Saturday morning in the Philippines, leaving in its wake total devastation in many areas of Mindanao. The number of casualty continues to rise with death toll placed at 652, and nearly 800 are still missing.

Experts warn that the vast number of missing people could drive the death toll to more than 1400.

Wounded Vietnamese-American Soldier Receives Segway

Vietnamese-American United States Army Captain James Van Thach, who was among thirty-seven severely wounded warriors that were presented Segway personal transporters by Segs4Vets.

(NEW YORK) - "As the holidays approach here in the United States, let us reflect for a moment how fortunate we are to live with freedoms in a country that is protected by our brave military men and women," says Tommy Nero Sullivan of V.I.P. Promotions.

"Since the United States’ War on Terrorism, many of our military men and women have sacrificed to protect our nation and many more return home to us with severe wounds..."

The Forgotten Returnees

UNHCR’s most recent statistics show that at the end of 2010 there are some 141,000 Sri Lankan refugees in 65 countries.

(GENEVA) - A day in a village on the beautiful coast of northern Sri Lanka: a lady combing the hair of a small girl crouching at her feet. She leans over and whispers something to her husband who is sitting beside her holding on to two other children.

The scene could easily be captured on a picture postcard but if one looks closer the reality is grimmer. Many of the surrounding houses have been reduced to rubble or are heavily damaged: a reminder of Sri Lanka’s bloody decade long civil war.

IHH offers helping hand for orphans in Van

IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation which has joined search and rescue and relief efforts in quake-stricken Van province with a 250-member-team, is now offering a helping hand for orphans in the region.

(ISTANBUL) - The foundation will assume the care of children who were orphaned by the quake as well as other orphans, making them have a monthly income which they will use for their clothing, accommodation, education, healthcare and other expenses. Just making a monthly donation of 35€ or 50$, charity givers can assume the care of an orphan.

In addition, families who already support an orphan in other regions or countries through the Sponsor Family Project can also assume the care of another orphan in Van.

Fahamu, `Opposing Cessation of Protection for Rwandan Refugees`

Several human rights organizations, once active in Rwanda, have been silenced...

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - In their most recent move to stop the Cessation of Protection of Rwandan Refugees, Fahamu stated the following in their petition to their supporter;

“On December 31, 2011, the UN High Commissioner for the Refugees and several states hosting Rwandan refugees are considering invoking the ‘cessation clause’ of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees...”

Palestinian Prisoners Are Not `Unpeople`; They Are Children of God

The Muamar brothers are not “unpeople”. They are children of God. They and all of their fellow political prisoners must be set free.

(CHICAGO) - In a talk at New York City’s Barnard College the night the Hamas-Israeli prisoner exchange was announced, Noam Chomsky anticipated the one-sided media coverage of the exchange. He charged the media with treating Israeli Jews as people, while dismissing Palestinians as “unpeople”.

Chomsky, who is Jewish, brings credentials to this issue as both an acclaimed linguistic scholar, and a strong advocate of Palestinian human rights.

The Rwandan Government: When the tree falls, birds are in misery

Has the effectiveness of the millions of dollars of aid to Rwanda ever been evaluated for its use and program success?

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The small country of Rwanda buried deep in the heart of Africa continues to make loud noises despite the assumed desire its leaders to keep things quiet and inconspicuous.

Within this small nation lies a government that oppresses its own people through intimidation, lack of open political space and fear to speak honestly and openly about the government in personal circles as well as in the press.

Rwandan politics and elections

Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed believe the fear of authority is the major obstacle to freedom of speech and political space, followed closely by the mindset of nepotism and the legacy of Genocide.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The Rwandan National Congress (RNC) and the Democratic Forces (FDU-INKINGI) held their first joint meeting in Washington D.C on September 19, 2011. The meeting was attended by approximately 30 Friends of Rwanda representing various countries and political parties.

Spearheading the conference was Dr. Theogene Rudasinwa, former Ambassador to the US from Rwanda under President Kagame, representing the RNC and Dr. Gerald Gahima, former Attorney General also under President Kagame.

Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Oregon and Washington hosts golf tournament to benefit wounded Marines and Corpsmen

SFF has awarded over 33,000 financial grants totaling more than $52 million, to our injured and ill service members and their families.

(AURORA, Ore.) - The Marine Corps Coordinating Council (MCCC) of Oregon and Washington will be hosting their annual charity golf tournament, The Semper Fi Golf Classic on September 30.

A portion of the proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund to assist our injured service members and their families.

Change and Challenge in a New Mexico Border Town

As Vado-Del Cerro moves into the next century of New Mexico statehood, what are some of the visions of the future its residents and neighbors hold?

(VEDO-DEL CERRO, N.M.) - Down a country lane in southern New Mexico‘s Mesilla Valley, a new walk-path and park took shape as the summer heat beat relentlessly down upon the land.

While a similar project might not even draw so much as a wink in a bigger community, residents of the rural community of Vado-Del Cerro are “very excited” about getting a new recreational space, says Vado Village Council Chair Mitch Boyer.