http://www.irinnews.org/Updated everydayen-gbFri, 17 May 2013 09:32:53 GMTThu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>CAIRO 16 May 2013 (IRIN) - Until government and revolutionary forces attacked the Libyan town of Bani Walid, about 170km southeast of the capital Tripoli in October last year, Abdullah Warfella had been determined never to leave.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98045/Libyans-in-North-Africa-scared-to-return-homeCAIRO 16 May 2013 (IRIN) - Until government and revolutionary forces attacked the Libyan town of Bani Walid, about 170km southeast of the capital Tripoli in October last year, Abdullah Warfella had been determined never to leave.>]]>Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>CAIRO 14 May 2013 (IRIN) - The Egyptian government has taken tentative steps towards reducing the roughly US$20 billion subsidy system that supporters say provides vital aid to the one-in-four Egyptians in poverty, and critics say is unsustainable and enriches the corrupt.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98031/Briefing-Egypt-rethinks-its-subsidy-system-for-the-poorCAIRO 14 May 2013 (IRIN) - The Egyptian government has taken tentative steps towards reducing the roughly US$20 billion subsidy system that supporters say provides vital aid to the one-in-four Egyptians in poverty, and critics say is unsustainable and enriches the corrupt.>]]>Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 13 May 2013 (IRIN) - In recent months, Syrian rebels have faced increasing criticism for violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights law. For guidance on the laws of war, they turn to a combination of Islamic law, IHL and their own sense of righteousness or, as one expert put it, “revolutionary justice” - with mixed results.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98021/quot-Sometimes-you-cannot-apply-the-rules-quot-Syrian-rebels-and-IHLDUBAI 13 May 2013 (IRIN) - In recent months, Syrian rebels have faced increasing criticism for violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights law. For guidance on the laws of war, they turn to a combination of Islamic law, IHL and their own sense of righteousness or, as one expert put it, “revolutionary justice” - with mixed results.>]]>Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 13 May 2013 (IRIN) - Like Syrian regime forces, Syria’s multitude of rebel fighters have faced growing criticism in recent months over violations of international humanitarian law (IHL), including war crimes, with groups from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch to the UN Commission of Inquiry accusing them of killing opponents execution-style, torturing detainees, taking hostages, including UN peacekeepers, and possibly using chemical weapons. So how do the rebels view IHL principles? What guides their action? Who do they consider a civilian? And what do they think of aid workers?http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98022/Syrian-rebels-on-IHL-In-their-own-wordsDUBAI 13 May 2013 (IRIN) - Like Syrian regime forces, Syria’s multitude of rebel fighters have faced growing criticism in recent months over violations of international humanitarian law (IHL), including war crimes, with groups from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch to the UN Commission of Inquiry accusing them of killing opponents execution-style, torturing detainees, taking hostages, including UN peacekeepers, and possibly using chemical weapons. So how do the rebels view IHL principles? What guides their action? Who do they consider a civilian? And what do they think of aid workers?>]]>Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>AQABA 09 May 2013 (IRIN) - Investing in preparation for potential disasters is a “no brainer”, Elizabeth Longworth, director of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), told a recent disaster risk reduction (DRR) conference in Aqaba, Jordan.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98003/Analysis-Getting-governments-to-cough-up-for-DRRAQABA 09 May 2013 (IRIN) - Investing in preparation for potential disasters is a “no brainer”, Elizabeth Longworth, director of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), told a recent disaster risk reduction (DRR) conference in Aqaba, Jordan.>]]>Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NIZIP 08 May 2013 (IRIN) - Turkey's camps for Syrian refugees are, by many measures, a model of humanitarian assistance. But one important detail appears to have been overlooked: According to aid workers, nowhere in Turkey's 17 refugee camps can survivors of sexual violence find the level of specialized psychosocial support experts say they so desperately need.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97953/Analysis-Towards-increased-services-for-Syrian-survivors-of-sexual-violenceNIZIP 08 May 2013 (IRIN) - Turkey's camps for Syrian refugees are, by many measures, a model of humanitarian assistance. But one important detail appears to have been overlooked: According to aid workers, nowhere in Turkey's 17 refugee camps can survivors of sexual violence find the level of specialized psychosocial support experts say they so desperately need.>]]>Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>SAADNAYEL, BEKAA VALLEY 08 May 2013 (IRIN) - The experiences of 1.4 million Syrian refugees are increasingly well-documented, but little is known about the people who open up their homes to host them. How do you organize your house to accommodate people you may only barely know? What are the stresses and strains? Do politics get in the way? IRIN spent a day in the life of a host family to bring you this portrait.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97997/Coffee-and-patience-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-family-hosting-Syrian-refugeesSAADNAYEL, BEKAA VALLEY 08 May 2013 (IRIN) - The experiences of 1.4 million Syrian refugees are increasingly well-documented, but little is known about the people who open up their homes to host them. How do you organize your house to accommodate people you may only barely know? What are the stresses and strains? Do politics get in the way? IRIN spent a day in the life of a host family to bring you this portrait.>]]>Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>KATHMANDU 07 May 2013 (IRIN) - Refugees and asylum seekers face a host of challenges when crossing borders, but the obstacles are particularly pronounced for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LGBTI) persons, say experts.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97989/Analysis-The-plight-of-LGBTI-asylum-seekers-refugeesKATHMANDU 07 May 2013 (IRIN) - Refugees and asylum seekers face a host of challenges when crossing borders, but the obstacles are particularly pronounced for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LGBTI) persons, say experts.>]]>Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>BAGHDAD/DUBAI 07 May 2013 (IRIN) - The number of Iraqis without secure access to food dropped by more than a quarter of a million people between 2007 and 2011, part of a generally positive trend of increasing food security in Iraq over the last decade.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97991/Less-dependent-on-food-rationsBAGHDAD/DUBAI 07 May 2013 (IRIN) - The number of Iraqis without secure access to food dropped by more than a quarter of a million people between 2007 and 2011, part of a generally positive trend of increasing food security in Iraq over the last decade.>]]>Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 06 May 2013 (IRIN) - In the 1980s, Iraqi women enjoyed more basic rights than their counterparts in the region; today, despite steps taken after decades of conflict and sanctions, Iraqi women do not have equal educational or employment opportunities, and many are subjected to gender-based violence.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97976/Women-yet-to-regain-their-placeDUBAI 06 May 2013 (IRIN) - In the 1980s, Iraqi women enjoyed more basic rights than their counterparts in the region; today, despite steps taken after decades of conflict and sanctions, Iraqi women do not have equal educational or employment opportunities, and many are subjected to gender-based violence.>]]>Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 02 May 2013 (IRIN) - This new IRIN film series, Where the war still echoes, follows the family over the course of a year, from their arrival in December 2012. The series provides an intimate view of their struggles to adjust to camp life and the traumatic effects of the conflict back home, as well as the pressure felt by Selim to return and join the rebellion.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97954/Syria-refugees-film-apos-Where-the-war-still-echoes-aposNAIROBI 02 May 2013 (IRIN) - This new IRIN film series, Where the war still echoes, follows the family over the course of a year, from their arrival in December 2012. The series provides an intimate view of their struggles to adjust to camp life and the traumatic effects of the conflict back home, as well as the pressure felt by Selim to return and join the rebellion.>]]>Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 02 May 2013 (IRIN) - The army in Yemen has started a crackdown on illegal smuggling hideouts in the north where migrants, refugees and asylum seekers from the Horn of Africa are frequently held against their will and tortured by criminal gangs looking for ransom money.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97961/In-Brief-Raids-free-enslaved-migrants-refugees-in-YemenDUBAI 02 May 2013 (IRIN) - The army in Yemen has started a crackdown on illegal smuggling hideouts in the north where migrants, refugees and asylum seekers from the Horn of Africa are frequently held against their will and tortured by criminal gangs looking for ransom money.>]]>Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 02 May 2013 (IRIN) - Of all the areas of Iraq’s development that were affected by the US-led invasion 10 years ago, healthcare has probably taken the biggest hit. And much of the damage incurred in the first few years of the invasion continues to have an impact on health indicators today.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97964/War-leaves-lasting-impact-on-healthcareDUBAI 02 May 2013 (IRIN) - Of all the areas of Iraq’s development that were affected by the US-led invasion 10 years ago, healthcare has probably taken the biggest hit. And much of the damage incurred in the first few years of the invasion continues to have an impact on health indicators today.>]]>Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 01 May 2013 (IRIN) - Aid work in Iraq has always had a bumpy ride, from the restrictions imposed under former president Saddam Hussein to the corruption associated with the Oil-for-Food Programme. But it has arguably never been as challenging as in the last decade, when violence and insecurity made access to much of the country nearly impossible.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97952/From-aid-restrictions-to-access-challengesDUBAI 01 May 2013 (IRIN) - Aid work in Iraq has always had a bumpy ride, from the restrictions imposed under former president Saddam Hussein to the corruption associated with the Oil-for-Food Programme. But it has arguably never been as challenging as in the last decade, when violence and insecurity made access to much of the country nearly impossible.>]]>Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>BAGHDAD/DUBAI 29 April 2013 (IRIN) - After a decade of sanctions, Iraq’s GDP has been growing consistently since 2003, and poverty rates have more than halved since 1990. But observers say billions of dollars in oil revenues have not translated into adequate gains in Iraqi well-being.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97937/More-freedom-but-less-securityBAGHDAD/DUBAI 29 April 2013 (IRIN) - After a decade of sanctions, Iraq’s GDP has been growing consistently since 2003, and poverty rates have more than halved since 1990. But observers say billions of dollars in oil revenues have not translated into adequate gains in Iraqi well-being.>]]>Mon, 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.>]]>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>BAGHDAD/DUBAI 26 April 2013 (IRIN) - Iraq’s education system was once the jewel of the Middle East. Today, it is struggling to catch up, with five million children out of school, according to a 2007 survey.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97928/Schools-try-to-play-catch-upBAGHDAD/DUBAI 26 April 2013 (IRIN) - Iraq’s education system was once the jewel of the Middle East. Today, it is struggling to catch up, with five million children out of school, according to a 2007 survey.>]]>Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>BAGHDAD/DUBAI 24 April 2013 (IRIN) - After a decade of sanctions, Iraq’s GDP has been growing consistently since 2003, and poverty rates have more than halved since 1990. But observers say billions of dollars in oil revenues have not translated into adequate gains in Iraqi well-being.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97909/Economy-grows-but-how-many-benefitBAGHDAD/DUBAI 24 April 2013 (IRIN) - After a decade of sanctions, Iraq’s GDP has been growing consistently since 2003, and poverty rates have more than halved since 1990. But observers say billions of dollars in oil revenues have not translated into adequate gains in Iraqi well-being.>]]>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>BAGHDAD/DUBAI 23 April 2013 (IRIN) - Ten years after the toppling of Iraq’s former leader Saddam Hussein, human development statistics – flawed as they are – paint a complex portrait of a country that has seen improvement over the last decade, but is still largely struggling.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97897/Iraq-10-years-on-the-humanitarian-impactBAGHDAD/DUBAI 23 April 2013 (IRIN) - Ten years after the toppling of Iraq’s former leader Saddam Hussein, human development statistics – flawed as they are – paint a complex portrait of a country that has seen improvement over the last decade, but is still largely struggling.>]]>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DUBAI 23 April 2013 (IRIN) - At the height of Iraq’s sectarian violence in 2007, some five million people were displaced from their homes. In recent years, people have returned in larger numbers, but two million remain either refugees or internally displaced.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97905/The-forgotten-displacement-crisisDUBAI 23 April 2013 (IRIN) - At the height of Iraq’s sectarian violence in 2007, some five million people were displaced from their homes. In recent years, people have returned in larger numbers, but two million remain either refugees or internally displaced.>]]>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>BAGHDAD/DUBAI 22 April 2013 (IRIN) - While access to clean water has improved over the last decade, more than one quarter of Iraqis still have less than two hours of access to water from the general network every day.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97894/Are-the-taps-flowingBAGHDAD/DUBAI 22 April 2013 (IRIN) - While access to clean water has improved over the last decade, more than one quarter of Iraqis still have less than two hours of access to water from the general network every day.>]]>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>BAGHDAD/DUBAI 22 April 2013 (IRIN) - Ten years after the toppling of Iraq’s former leader Saddam Hussein, human development statistics – flawed as they are – paint a complex portrait of a country that has seen improvement over the last decade, but is still largely struggling.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97895/Humanitarian-overviewBAGHDAD/DUBAI 22 April 2013 (IRIN) - Ten years after the toppling of Iraq’s former leader Saddam Hussein, human development statistics – flawed as they are – paint a complex portrait of a country that has seen improvement over the last decade, but is still largely struggling.>]]>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>BAGHDAD/DUBAI 22 April 2013 (IRIN) - Despite investment in the generation capacity in recent years, Iraq’s electricity supply system remains unreliable, offering an average of eight hours of electricity a day.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97896/Blistering-black-outsBAGHDAD/DUBAI 22 April 2013 (IRIN) - Despite investment in the generation capacity in recent years, Iraq’s electricity supply system remains unreliable, offering an average of eight hours of electricity a day.>]]>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, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>FAYOUM 16 April 2013 (IRIN) - Abdel Tawab Haron, in his late 40s, is late harvesting the wheat at his farm in Fayoum Governorate, 90km southwest of Cairo.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/97859/Egypt-apos-s-food-security-in-peril-as-fuel-crisis-intensifiesFAYOUM 16 April 2013 (IRIN) - Abdel Tawab Haron, in his late 40s, is late harvesting the wheat at his farm in Fayoum Governorate, 90km southwest of Cairo.>]]>