http://www.irinnews.org/Updated everydayen-gbTue, 30 Apr 2013 07:30:57 GMTMon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>AQABA 29 April 2013 (IRIN) - Prevention may be better than a cure, but for the authorities in Arab cities and towns, natural disasters up to now have been largely about coping with them after they have taken place.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97941/Arab-cities-aim-to-build-resilience-to-natural-disastersAQABA 29 April 2013 (IRIN) - Prevention may be better than a cure, but for the authorities in Arab cities and towns, natural disasters up to now have been largely about coping with them after they have taken place.]]>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 18 April 2013 (IRIN) - Nearly three months ago, donors pledged $1.5 billion in humanitarian aid for the Syrian crisis. Today, Kuwait announced the transfer of its pledge of $300 million to international aid agencies and with that, half of the pledges have been fulfilled. IRIN takes a look at the status of the remaining pledges made in Kuwait, as aid agencies threaten to suspend their work for lack of funding.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97877/Promised-aid-funding-for-Syria-reaches-half-way-pointDUBAI 18 April 2013 (IRIN) - Nearly three months ago, donors pledged $1.5 billion in humanitarian aid for the Syrian crisis. Today, Kuwait announced the transfer of its pledge of $300 million to international aid agencies and with that, half of the pledges have been fulfilled. IRIN takes a look at the status of the remaining pledges made in Kuwait, as aid agencies threaten to suspend their work for lack of funding.]]>Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 26 March 2013 (IRIN) - The exodus of educated and skilled Syrians is increasingly depleting the country’s workforce and the quality of its health services, already strained by two years of conflict. IRIN spoke to professionals inside and outside Syria about the difficult choice they faced and the impacts of their decisions to stay or leave - both on themselves and their country.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97736/Syria-s-brain-drain-another-twist-to-the-country-s-crisisDUBAI 26 March 2013 (IRIN) - The exodus of educated and skilled Syrians is increasingly depleting the country’s workforce and the quality of its health services, already strained by two years of conflict. IRIN spoke to professionals inside and outside Syria about the difficult choice they faced and the impacts of their decisions to stay or leave - both on themselves and their country.]]>Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>AQABA 20 March 2013 (IRIN) - Nearly 300 government officials, scientists, aid workers and activists from across the Arab world are working together in Jordan to draw up the first joint regional platform for disaster risk reduction (DRR).http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97685/Disaster-Risk-Reduction-in-the-Arab-worldAQABA 20 March 2013 (IRIN) - Nearly 300 government officials, scientists, aid workers and activists from across the Arab world are working together in Jordan to draw up the first joint regional platform for disaster risk reduction (DRR).]]>Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 05 March 2013 (IRIN) - The world’s driest region, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), is getting drier at an alarming rate.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97596/Export-oil-import-water-the-Middle-East-s-risky-economicsDUBAI 05 March 2013 (IRIN) - The world’s driest region, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), is getting drier at an alarming rate.]]>Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>WAZZANI 15 February 2013 (IRIN) - Southern Lebanon has been the scene of occupation and conflict for decades. Now, it is experiencing what might be the calmest period in its history. This provides a chance to finally sustainably develop the area and stabilize the border with Israel. But are donors, UN agencies and the government interested?http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97484/Why-southern-Lebanon-still-mattersWAZZANI 15 February 2013 (IRIN) - Southern Lebanon has been the scene of occupation and conflict for decades. Now, it is experiencing what might be the calmest period in its history. This provides a chance to finally sustainably develop the area and stabilize the border with Israel. But are donors, UN agencies and the government interested?]]>Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>TYRE 15 February 2013 (IRIN) - For many residents of southern Lebanon, economic development in their region is a fool’s dream. The central government in Beirut, paralysed by political crisis, has done little to develop the peripheries of Lebanon, especially in the south, which is dominated by militant and political group Hezbollah.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97488/Ten-ways-to-develop-southern-LebanonTYRE 15 February 2013 (IRIN) - For many residents of southern Lebanon, economic development in their region is a fool’s dream. The central government in Beirut, paralysed by political crisis, has done little to develop the peripheries of Lebanon, especially in the south, which is dominated by militant and political group Hezbollah.]]>Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>BEIRUT 08 February 2013 (IRIN) - A new report by Médecins Sans Frontières paints an alarming picture of the living and health conditions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The Lebanese government and UN Refugee Agency say they are trying to scale up their assistance to hundreds of thousands of refugees but are hampered by a lack of funds.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97438/Lack-of-funds-hits-refugee-health-care-in-LebanonBEIRUT 08 February 2013 (IRIN) - A new report by Médecins Sans Frontières paints an alarming picture of the living and health conditions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The Lebanese government and UN Refugee Agency say they are trying to scale up their assistance to hundreds of thousands of refugees but are hampered by a lack of funds.]]>Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>KUWAIT CITY 01 February 2013 (IRIN) - The international community pledged more than US$1.5 billion in humanitarian aid to Syria on 30 January, in the most successful fundraising conference in UN history - meant to meet the needs of two UN appeals:http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97395/Breakdown-of-Syria-aid-pledges-in-KuwaitKUWAIT CITY 01 February 2013 (IRIN) - The international community pledged more than US$1.5 billion in humanitarian aid to Syria on 30 January, in the most successful fundraising conference in UN history - meant to meet the needs of two UN appeals:]]>Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>KUWAIT CITY 30 January 2013 (IRIN) - In the largest ever fundraising conference in UN history, the international community pledged today more than US$1.5 billion in humanitarian aid for the people of Syria. But donors said financial resources were not enough: they called for more humanitarian access and respect for the neutrality and safety of aid workers.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97376/Donors-pledge-1-5-billion-in-aid-to-Syria-while-demanding-more-accessKUWAIT CITY 30 January 2013 (IRIN) - In the largest ever fundraising conference in UN history, the international community pledged today more than US$1.5 billion in humanitarian aid for the people of Syria. But donors said financial resources were not enough: they called for more humanitarian access and respect for the neutrality and safety of aid workers.]]>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>TYRE 29 January 2013 (IRIN) - Initially concentrated in Lebanon’s northern and eastern areas along the border with Syria, Syrian refugees (mostly Sunnis) are increasingly settling further south, in Lebanon’s Shia heartland, dominated by the political and militant group Hezbollah, a long-time ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97355/Syrian-refugees-head-to-Lebanon-s-Shia-southTYRE 29 January 2013 (IRIN) - Initially concentrated in Lebanon’s northern and eastern areas along the border with Syria, Syrian refugees (mostly Sunnis) are increasingly settling further south, in Lebanon’s Shia heartland, dominated by the political and militant group Hezbollah, a long-time ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.]]>Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>BEIRUT 28 January 2013 (IRIN) - On 30 January, world leaders will meet in Kuwait to pledge financial support for aid operations in Syria and for hundreds of thousands of refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries. But aid workers and government officials in Lebanon warn that donors must also channel funds towards assisting poor Lebanese communities, to diffuse rising tensions between the refugees and their hosts.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97354/UN-To-avoid-tensions-with-refugees-Lebanese-hosts-need-supportBEIRUT 28 January 2013 (IRIN) - On 30 January, world leaders will meet in Kuwait to pledge financial support for aid operations in Syria and for hundreds of thousands of refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries. But aid workers and government officials in Lebanon warn that donors must also channel funds towards assisting poor Lebanese communities, to diffuse rising tensions between the refugees and their hosts.]]>Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 02 January 2013 (IRIN) - "There is no safe place in Syria any more." The words of one displaced man may be a bit of an exaggeration, but they are symptomatic of how many Syrians feel after nearly two years of conflict.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97154/SLIDESHOW-Syria-apos-s-rising-displacement-crisisDUBAI 02 January 2013 (IRIN) - "There is no safe place in Syria any more." The words of one displaced man may be a bit of an exaggeration, but they are symptomatic of how many Syrians feel after nearly two years of conflict.]]>Mon, 31 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 31 December 2012 (IRIN) - While much of the world has been consumed by quickly changing political and security developments in the Middle East this year, longer-term humanitarian issues have also been simmering under the surface – and sometimes in plain – but neglected – view. Here are 10 stories IRIN brought you in 2012. http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97155/MIDDLE-EAST-2012-a-year-of-continuing-turmoilDUBAI 31 December 2012 (IRIN) - While much of the world has been consumed by quickly changing political and security developments in the Middle East this year, longer-term humanitarian issues have also been simmering under the surface – and sometimes in plain – but neglected – view. Here are 10 stories IRIN brought you in 2012. ]]>Mon, 24 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BEIRUT 24 December 2012 (IRIN) - For the roughly 120,000 registered Syrian refugees in Lebanon winter means not just freezing temperatures but also fewer jobs, especially in rural areas.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97113/LEBANON-Meagre-job-prospects-for-Syrian-refugees-in-LebanonBEIRUT 24 December 2012 (IRIN) - For the roughly 120,000 registered Syrian refugees in Lebanon winter means not just freezing temperatures but also fewer jobs, especially in rural areas.]]>Wed, 05 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>DOHA 05 December 2012 (IRIN) - In the last three decades, 50 million people in the Arab world have been affected by natural disasters, many of them extreme climate events, according to a new report by the World Bank. The report projects the horrific scenario of temperatures regularly rising to over 50 degrees Celsius by the turn of the century, which experts fear could lead to countless more disasters.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96974/CLIMATE-CHANGE-In-the-Arab-world-building-fridges-to-live-in-an-ovenDOHA 05 December 2012 (IRIN) - In the last three decades, 50 million people in the Arab world have been affected by natural disasters, many of them extreme climate events, according to a new report by the World Bank. The report projects the horrific scenario of temperatures regularly rising to over 50 degrees Celsius by the turn of the century, which experts fear could lead to countless more disasters.]]>Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BEIRUT/TAALABAYA 21 November 2012 (IRIN) - Winter is approaching fast for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, who are facing night-time temperatures that regularly dip below zero.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96834/LEBANON-Concern-for-Syrian-refugees-as-winter-approachesBEIRUT/TAALABAYA 21 November 2012 (IRIN) - Winter is approaching fast for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, who are facing night-time temperatures that regularly dip below zero.]]>Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BEIRUT 01 November 2012 (IRIN) - Syrians in Lebanon are increasingly coming under attack as lingering anti-Syrian sentiment intensifies amid the current conflict next door.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96679/Analysis-Catch-22-for-Syrian-migrants-in-LebanonBEIRUT 01 November 2012 (IRIN) - Syrians in Lebanon are increasingly coming under attack as lingering anti-Syrian sentiment intensifies amid the current conflict next door.]]>Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 24 October 2012 (IRIN) - Aid agencies, human rights organizations and local government officials are increasingly concerned about thousands of people who have fled violence in Syria only to end up stuck at border crossings waiting to enter countries to seek asylum.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96629/Analysis-Not-so-open-borders-for-Syrian-refugeesDUBAI 24 October 2012 (IRIN) - Aid agencies, human rights organizations and local government officials are increasingly concerned about thousands of people who have fled violence in Syria only to end up stuck at border crossings waiting to enter countries to seek asylum.]]>Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 18 October 2012 (IRIN) - The Syrian crisis has disrupted food imports and exports in the region, raising food prices in Jordan, Iraq and Turkey, but governments have so far been able to contain the impact on consumers by finding new trade routes and absorbing some of the increased cost, according to food vendors, truck drivers and analysts.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96583/Analysis-Syria-and-the-regional-food-chainDUBAI 18 October 2012 (IRIN) - The Syrian crisis has disrupted food imports and exports in the region, raising food prices in Jordan, Iraq and Turkey, but governments have so far been able to contain the impact on consumers by finding new trade routes and absorbing some of the increased cost, according to food vendors, truck drivers and analysts.]]>Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>JOHANNESBURG 09 October 2012 (IRIN) - New research has uncovered the hidden health toll that refugee life in Lebanon has taken on more than 400,000 Palestinians.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96487/LEBANON-OPT-Hidden-health-crisis-facing-Palestinian-refugeesJOHANNESBURG 09 October 2012 (IRIN) - New research has uncovered the hidden health toll that refugee life in Lebanon has taken on more than 400,000 Palestinians.]]>Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BEIRUT 12 September 2012 (IRIN) - Fewer tourists, lower levels of investment by Gulf states and reduced opportunities for cross-border trade with Syria are adversely affecting Lebanon’s most vulnerable people, including the hosts of many of the tens of thousands of Syrian refugees.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96293/LEBANON-Refugee-hosts-feeling-the-pinchBEIRUT 12 September 2012 (IRIN) - Fewer tourists, lower levels of investment by Gulf states and reduced opportunities for cross-border trade with Syria are adversely affecting Lebanon’s most vulnerable people, including the hosts of many of the tens of thousands of Syrian refugees.]]>Mon, 03 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BEIRUT 03 September 2012 (IRIN) - Progress in terms of providing more and better aid to the steady influx of Syrian refugees in Lebanon is being held back by government indecision stemming from fears that the ongoing violence in Syria may destabilize the country’s fragile politics.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96232/LEBANON-SYRIA-The-refugee-minefieldBEIRUT 03 September 2012 (IRIN) - Progress in terms of providing more and better aid to the steady influx of Syrian refugees in Lebanon is being held back by government indecision stemming from fears that the ongoing violence in Syria may destabilize the country’s fragile politics.]]>Wed, 29 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>RAMTHA/BEIRUT/DUBAI 29 August 2012 (IRIN) - In Jordan and Lebanon, the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) has registered nearly 5,000 Palestinian refugees from the 17-month conflict in Syria. As both countries are already home to large Palestinian refugee populations, the newly arrived have become a political issue - with Palestinians feeling they are treated unfairly.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96202/Analysis-Palestinian-refugees-from-Syria-feel-abandonedRAMTHA/BEIRUT/DUBAI 29 August 2012 (IRIN) - In Jordan and Lebanon, the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) has registered nearly 5,000 Palestinian refugees from the 17-month conflict in Syria. As both countries are already home to large Palestinian refugee populations, the newly arrived have become a political issue - with Palestinians feeling they are treated unfairly.]]>Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>WADI KHALED 08 August 2012 (IRIN) - Hayat*, a dark-haired 12-year-old, searches for a familiar face among a circle of children playing a name game. She knows some of the kids. They have fled from the central Syrian city of Homs with their families, just as she has. Others are unknown to her; they are from the Lebanese border region of Wadi Khaled, where she and her family have found refuge.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96053/LEBANON-SYRIA-No-school-today-Why-Syrian-refugee-children-miss-out-on-educationWADI KHALED 08 August 2012 (IRIN) - Hayat*, a dark-haired 12-year-old, searches for a familiar face among a circle of children playing a name game. She knows some of the kids. They have fled from the central Syrian city of Homs with their families, just as she has. Others are unknown to her; they are from the Lebanese border region of Wadi Khaled, where she and her family have found refuge.]]>