|
Letter to the Editor, Sunday Tribune, 7th January 2007
Sir,
As a journalist who has spent 30 years working in humanitarian aid, it is distressing to read that 2006 has been the deadliest year for reporters and aidworkers in over a decade.
Eighty aidworkers and at least 81 journalists were killed in action last year.
Both perform separate yet vital roles in developing countries. Journalists seek to uncover the truth about political and humanitarian crises, and aidworkers act to offset the material impact of crisis on civilians. Without effective reporting, political violence and humanitarian problems can go unnoticed and relief operations do not get funded. Meanwhile, aidworkers are at the coalface in troublespots around the world, and their bravery, professionalism and dedication often goes unreported and unnoticed.
While journalists are meant to be thorns in the side of the establishment and in states where freedom of expression is not a enshrined right, some coercion is sadly to be expected. However aidworkers serve to support the civilian population in an impartial manner.
Clearly however the upsurge in violence against aidworkers means that warring parties and corrupt undemocratic regimes regard aid workers as pawns in conflict. GOAL was forced to evacuate from Darfur in December 2006, after an upsurge of violence in the already chaotic region. The Sudanese government and its Janjaweed proxies have shown scant regard for civilians and aidworkers alike in Darfur. Now, with most of the civilian international presence (ie: reporters and aidworkers) in Darfur forced out, the stage is set for the final and bloody culmination of Darfur’s tragedy.
Yours etc.
John O’Shea
CEO
GOAL
PO Box 19
Dun Laoghaire
Co Dublin
|
