Anger over human trafficking strategy
The head of a leading anti-trafficking movement has slammed the Government’s new strategy on human trafficking. Steve Chalk said the Government was moving in a ‘dangerous direction’ by focusing its strategy on immigration. He said, its the strategy would address the symptoms but not the causes of the trade in human beings. ‘It will do little to stem the tide,’ he said. ‘It could also increase the vulnerability of the men, women and children who are trafficked into the UK and exploited, by concentrating more on their immigration status than their position as victims of a horrible crime. Human trafficking is a human rights abuse, not an immigration offence.’ The Government launched its strategy yesterday, committing itself to tightening border controls. Ruth Dearnley, Chief Executive of Stop the Traffik, said: ‘Prevention is better than cure. Human trafficking starts in communities and can be stopped by communities.'
Pray: that all aspects of trafficking would be recognised and challenged. (Is.40:10-11)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/anger.over.human.trafficking.strategy/28300.htm
UK publics' Africa emergency donations exceed £15 million
Donations from the UK public to the Disasters Emergency Committee emergency appeal for people suffering from severe food shortages in East Africa have now exceeded £15 million. The worst drought in 60 years has killed cattle and devistated crops in parts of East Africa, creating a humanitarian emergency, with problems expected to be compounded by a poor harvest. The DEC East Africa Appeal in Britain has been presented by actors Jason Isaacs and Fay Ripley, actor and comedian Lenny Henry and broadcaster and journalist Kate Adie. Chief Executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee Brendan Gormley said: ‘The more money we raise, the more lives we can save in the short term, and the more help we can give people to rebuild their lives in the long term. It’s vital that people keep giving,’ he added. To make a donation to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal, visit www.dec.org.uk
Pray: for all those affected by this disaster, for those working to alleviate the suffering and for those who continue to donate to the appeal. (Ps.91:10)
Aid works - if it's in time
That's the verdict from international development charities this week in the wake of a generally positive United Nations update on progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The report suggests the aim of halving the number of the world's poor between 1990 and 2015 remains on track. While there are a number of reasons for the progress, such as the increased wealth in India and China, international aid is an important factor in the improvements, said Laura Webster, head of public policy at the international development charity Tearfund. But in recent months the UK government has faced much criticism for sticking to the plan of spending 0.7 per cent of its national income on foreign aid in the current climate of austerity measures. Just last week David Cameron accused critics of his foreign aid policy as being 'possibly hard-hearted'.
Pray: for the ongoing success of the MDG’s despite the current financial climate. (1Sam.2:8)
Drug-resistant sex disease discovered
A new strain of gonorrhoea that is resistant to antibiotics has been discovered by scientists. The bacterial infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, with thousands of Britons becoming infected each year. Gonorrhoea can cause infertility, ectopic pregnancies and increased susceptibility to HIV. Dr Magnus Unemo, who led the team behind the discovery, described the find as ‘alarming’ and the researchers warned that the strain is likely to become a ‘global threat to public health’. He added: ‘While it is still too early to assess if this new strain has become widespread, the history of newly emergent resistance to the bacterium suggests that it may spread rapidly unless new drugs and effective treatment programmes are developed.’ Dr Unemo’s disturbing findings were presented at the 19th conference of the International Society for Sexually Transmitted Disease Research in Quebec, Canada. Scientists are now trying to combat the infection using different drugs.
Pray: for those researching this disease that they may find a way to treat it. (Is.57:19)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/drug-resistant-sex-disease-discovered/
