samara, age 11, originally of homs, syria
inside the zaatari refugee camp. 04.05.16 2:02 pm

war in syria has caused death, destruction and displacement on a horrific scale. families have been forced from their homes and livelihoods have been destroyed as a result of relentless violence and the disruption of basic services. more than 4 million people have already fled the country and 6.5 million people are internally displaced. an estimated 13.5 million people are in need of urgent life-saving assistance inside of the country — of which are over 6 million children.

children are particularly vulnerable to child rights violations such as recruitment into armed groups and exploitation and abuse, including forced early marriage and child labor. access to education, health care, water, sanitation and social services remains inadequate — even when inside established camps such as zaatari.

for many humanitarian organizations, the impact of the crisis on a generation of children is a primary and growing concern. while most will survive the conflict physically, the immediate and long-term well-being of children remains as uncertain as the future for this entire generation of kids.

04.11.16 1:52 pm
daily life in the zaatari refugee camp

one can witness an incredible demonstration of resourcefulness and resilience when observing daily life in the zaatari refugee camp.
perhaps the most obvious example of this strength of spirit is the vibrant main drag that runs through the camp. since it first opened in the summer of 2012 zaatari has established and seen flourish an impressive, informal and largely underground economy. the camp features a main road entitled champs-elysees (a play on the parisian shopping destination, this market is the thriving core of what is now jordan’s fourth-largest population centre) where one can get a haircut, shop in a produce market, rent a wedding gown or buy ice cream.
while markets such as the champs-elysees are not the most common sight in refugee camps, exiled populations throughout the world have long demonstrated tremendous resourcefulness and are never completely dependent on humanitarian assistance.

we should be very hesitant to call zaatari a “city” or refer to what those in the camp have been able to do as anything that resembles “normalcy”.

it is absolutely true that those in zaatari are doing everything that they can to make the best of a very difficult situation.

but it is not, nor will it ever be, normal to be living behind a barbed wire fence, in a tent or a caravan, and to be deprived of the freedom of movement.

it is not normal, nor will it ever be, to live in a situation where an entire population lacks the rights and entitlements of citizens.

and it is certainly not normal to wake up each day not knowing when or even if you will ever be able to return to the place that you consider to be your home.

The quick flooding in Southern West Virginia counties on June 24 was devastating. Many homes were destroyed as well as daily lives. There are at least 23 dead.
Greenbrier County got 9 inches of rain in a 24 hour period. There's a 1 in 1,000 chance of that. The Elk View River near the state capitol of Charleston crested at 33 feet. A shopping center, connected to the main road by a bridge, had people stranded when the bridge was washed out.

Also in White Sulphur Springs, the storms severely impacted The Greenbrier, a luxury resort that was scheduled to host the PGA Tour's Greenbrier Classic July 7-10. The Greenbrier was fforced to close for regular business. The PGA canceled the tournament because of heavy damage to the resort's golf course.
However, West Virginian throughout the state as well as others have devoted resources of food, drink, shelter and physical labor to right this tragedy.

The Greenbrier opened its doors to those left homeless with shelter and food. The Salvation Army and the Red Cross immediately moved in to assist.
Cleaning supplies, bottled water, clothing and other needs are being donated and then delivered by volunteers, including legislators, celebrities and volunteers firefighters and other concerned West Virginians.
The state has been responding in all ways that are needed.
To aid in recovery efforts, Wheeling Hospital donated five tons of supplies to help West Virginia flood victims.
“We’re pleased to be able to have purchased these items. Since our founding in 1850, Wheeling Hospital has always helped those in need. It’s simply what we do,” said CEO Ron Violi. “Our hearts and prayers are with those suffering downstate. We hope this donation helps ease their situation.”
The hospital’s donation included: 4,000 bottles of water; 6,000 rolls of paper towels; 960 toilet paper rolls; 15 gallons of beach; 240 bottles shampoo/body wash; 720 toothpaste tubes; 720 toothbrushes; 1,000 packs of Q-tips; 720 razors; 240 bottles of hand sanitizer; 120 packs of wipes; six cases of diapers; 200 boxes of gloves; 1,200 washcloths; 60 blankets; 50 bed sheets; 200 pillow cases; 200 towels; and 40 blankets for small pets.
West Virginia is spread across a large geography but they help there own as neighbors always have.
If you wish to help with the recovery and rebuilding effort, contact Blupela to coordinate your gift.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mma/west-virginia-town-built-to-carry-on-recovers-from-flood/vp-AAhGV0m