The untimely passing of Rodney Rice has laid bare the strong feelings of respect and admiration for his work as a journalist and broadcaster. However, it was his devotion, advocacy and persistent interest in development issues that made him one of the long-term adjudicators for the Simon Cumbers Media Fund. For well over a decade, […]
Burning Hope on Lesvos: a blog
Ali is a soft-spoken, thoughtful artist I met while in Moria refugee camp earlier this year. Originally from Afghanistan, he claimed asylum in Greece, but his application was refused; he was arrested and put in the prison inside the camp to await deportation. Usually involved in creative projects, Ali found prison conditions difficult to endure. […]
Teenage pregnancy in Sierra Leone: a blog
When I travelled to Sierra Leone, my aim was to report on the work being done in communities to reduce the alarming levels of teenage pregnancy which have been crippling opportunities for girls across the West African nation. However, when I arrived at the community health centre in Koya, a suburb in eastern Freetown, the […]
Venezuelan refugees in Peru: a blog
In northern Peru, I met with Mother Sofia, a nun running a refuge for undocumented Venezuelan families who would otherwise be sleeping on the streets. These families were arriving over the border underweight with no money, she told me. “It’s a harsh and painful reality. They have no food and no work, they’ve come here […]
Venezuela’s migrant crisis: a blog
When news of Venezuela’s migrant crisis started making international headlines in 2015, my attention was instantly drawn to this humanitarian emergency in Latin America. My interest in these events did not solely derive from my journalistic focus on migration issues. In fact, it had much more to do with the deep, personal bond I have […]
Against The Wire – lockdown in Lesvos: a blog
When I left Lesvos in mid-March, Moria refugee camp was still running out of water in some parts by 9.30am. Social distancing was almost impossible, and residents feared the worst if the pandemic hit. New groups were formed – The Moria Corona Awareness Team, and The Moria White Helmets – and refugees organised with local […]
