Tag Archives: masters of development practice

Gaza During and After – "My message to the American people…"

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“Gaza During and After” is a documentary by my colleague Tarek when he was working as a journalist.

In 2008, he produced a documentary showcasing the Palestinians daily life, suffering and resilience during the Israeli siege. Using internationally banned weapons, they targeted social infrastructure to destroy livelihoods so that the Palestinians do not have a source of income, trade or a way to live. The documentary takes us through Palestinian lives that the Western media rarely shows. Scroll to the bottom to watch the documentary.

“They shot her even though she was the one
 carrying the white flag, the flag of peace”
Palestinians wants peace and is asking for global support to achieve it


“We want these pictures to reach the European and American people so that they can see. Let the American people see what is happening to the Palestinian people… enough, enough destruction, let us live!”  

“He wants the American people to know that they are unknowingly contributing to the predicament of the Palestinian people”

America, being the largest supporter of arms deal to Israel, is being blamed. They believe if citizens in America sees what is happening here, they will push their government to stop supplying arms to Israel. However, this is happening because “they see the events in our region through the perspective of Israeli media.” And this perspective is of “Americans Jews portray[ing] Israel as a last line of defense against another Holocaust and paint its actions as purely defensive.” (American Aljazeera, 2015)

Furthermore, as of late (2010 onwards), Canada’s actions has been supplying Israel with arms as well, with the Harper government ramping up his war machine to create a more militant Canada on the world stage. Canada’s reputation as a peace keeper, recognized by a Nobel Peace prize to Lester B. Pearson in 1957 for creating the UN Peacekeepers, is being demolished by the Canadian conservative government. This documentary is as much for Canadians, Europeans and other countries supporting Israel as it is for Americans. Read more about Canada’s involvement with Israel.

I do not condone violence from either side, but Israel is literally shooting fish (Palestinians) in a barrel with superior firepower and support. That crime against humanity is what needs to be known. Once its known, there can be more global pressure to force governments to stop supplying arms and begin the process of reconciliation.

Soft targets and destruction of livelihoods

Soft targets where the main targets in 2008. UN Refugees camps were targeted by the Israeli military were bombed inside Palestine in the UN compound in Gaza even though they clearly marked as UN facilities. Millions of dollars worth of food and medicine were destroyed. Image below shows UN and International Red Crescent trying to evacuate people from a school while phosphorus bombs rain down.

Seen here, International Red Crescent and UN personnel, providing neutral humanitarian aid fighting phosphorus fire and evacuating people while Israelis target a school. They are also being targeted.


Factories that produced goods were targeted. The aim of this attack was to cripple the economy and infrastructure to destroy livelihoods, morale and their ability to sustain themselves, ultimately leading to their death.

Violence begets violence

“It’s easy to predict the future, if people don’t have justice people will turn to violence to get justice” Said John Ging, with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) “That’s human nature everywhere” addressing the indiscriminate attacks on civilians.

And as soon as John Ging said that, the next clip is of young men asking for support from Arab nations to help arm them so they can defend themselves against the invasion of Israel. This also shows and implies that Palestinians do not have weapons to defend themselves against fighter jets, missiles and superior firepower.

Gaza during and after documentary, Palestinian youth addressing 2008 Israel siege
Gaza during and after documentary, Palestinian youth addressing 2008 Israel siege

“When we talk about the war being over, no it’s not over. How can it be over when you are stopping basic human freedoms. Remember in this world the issue of human rights is something the USA was built on.” Says Rizwan Hussein at the Human Appeal International. The crimes against humanity are devastating, where social infrastructure, schools and hospitals are deliberately targeted.

To get supplies around the siege, “siege breakers” are at the front line digging tunnels under the border to Egypt to transfer supplies in. Supplies such as food, medicine and other basic necessities. This move is desperate but is the only way to continue to feed the population and bring medical supplies.

Tarek interviewing the “siege breakers”, who are the tunnel diggers to get supply into Gaza
A Palestinian walks into a Synagogue
Outside of the documentary though, not all hope is lost. There have been Jewish support of Palestine, “It is thus not surprising that Holocaust survivors and their descendants openly opposed Israel’s onslaught on Gaza last summer” and that “If anyone could empathize with being a Palestinian, it would probably be someone of Jewish background” (American Aljazeera, 2015). This is because they are both peoples of Diaspora. This goes to show that there is support and not all hope is utterly lost.

And last few words from the siege breakers.
Palestinian siege breaker’s slogan. 

Watch the documentary here

Water Security in Trinidad

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The class at Navet Dam WASA treatment facility
As part of my masters program at the University of Waterloo in Masters of Development Practice, on the course of Water Security, I aimed to do research in water security in Trinidad and Tobago to understand more of the subject area. To track my understanding and what I’ve learned through the research, a journal for each day was produced. These are my thoughts as I go through my days in Trinidad and Tobago. The University of West Indies (UWI) helped host our trip. Naturally, we were discussing issues with the professors and various students.
 
The different sites we had explored included Waste and Sewage Authority (WASA) treatment plant, aquaponics facility, University of West Indies, tourism association, and the Department of Natural Resource in the forestry sector. We spent 3 days in Trinidad and 2 days in Tobago.
Feb 15 – Predeparture Trinidad and Tobago

The pre departure, and the first, log. The expectations for this trip is simply just trying to beat the heat the first day and then dive right into seeing, learning and experiencing the country. While gazing over the academic part of the program, it came to my attention that I knew very little about water security in Trinidad and Tobago other than the little research I have done. I’m hoping to gain insightful knowledge of water issues and measures the country is taking to implement to improve their water supply. Though, what issues remain a mystery to me, however, I can speculate non-potable water, lack of access and infrastructure to supply the population. These issues could be caused by several factors including lack of government funding resulting in poor infrastructure; poor management of consumption of water, especially ground water, reducing its reservoirs and not allowing time for it to replenish, resulting in invading rising sea water levels and salinating the ground water rendering the water non-potable; industries not being checked for compliance of environmental pollution causing chemicals to leak into the soil and subsequently into the drinking water. Read More >>

 Feb 17 – Day 1 – Carnival

First day in Trinidad. As suspected, trying to beat the heat during carnival. On the bus ride into downtown, I notice that the city works on water storage tanks, something that is familiar with me through my travels. This can imply that water can easily cut out and therefore require a back up storage of water for the household, as from experience. Other observations were the WASA facilities on the ride down and there seems to be sewage treatment plant in the heart of the city. Not too far down is a Dasani plant for filtering bottling water. It is possible there is a deal struck between WASA and Dasani for bottling water. Read more >>

 Feb 18 – Day 2 – WASA treatment facility visit

First real visit out to the Waste and Sewage Authority (WASA) to study water security in Trinidad and Tobago. This gave us the first real impression of the water security issues on the island. While talking to the WHO Compliance Officer at WASA, it was noted that a bit more than 50% of the population has access to water 24/7. This was quite staggering to me considering how much water was used during carnival. I suppose Port of Spain would be better suited for receiving water as it is the capital of Trinidad. Further surprises was that the tap water is 100% potable as it follows the WHO guidelines of water. I might attempt my stomach’s fate at the tap water seeing as I wouldn’t want to purchase anymore water. Read More >>
Feb 19 – Day 3 – Aquaponics
Finally my most anticipated visit of the trip, the aquaponics facility. Seeing a smaller scale aquaponic system provides a better realistic goal to building one as the previous one I have seen before was in Cape Town and was a large system meant to sustain a restaurant. The most I learned from this visit is seeing another type of set up and filtering process. This can help solve both food and water security because of the lack of water loss in the whole aquaponic system. This system uses less than 10% of water compared to traditional agriculture. Though, it cannot grow crops like roots and tubulars as they require soil to be grown in and not water or clay media. Regardless, this can help answer some questions of increased agricultural production but with a goal of sustaining water security as the issue was raised from the previous day. Read more >>
 
Feb 20 – Day 4 – Tobago – Department of Natural Resources
At the Botanical Gardens with the Department of Natural Resources, Forestry management sector, it seems the presentation should’ve been done on the first day of breaking down the issues of water security and how it affects different sectors and key players. The presentation addressed many key issues surrounding water security including climate change, which is a focus of my groups research project. However, there was not much information about lowering water in aquifers and more salination in the groundwater or the effects of the removal of mangroves. They said it wasn’t much of a pressing issue at the moment so it seems there was not much focus regarding it. Read more >>

 Feb 21 – Day 5 – Tobago – Tourism Association

Talking with Christopher at the Tourism association, we learnt that there is “no” water issue because hotels get the priority from WASA and so they don’t “feel” the lack of water supply running through  the country. This is one point of view compared to the other visits we have had where the others have been saying there is a security issue. However, Christopher is still an advocate of water conservation. Some measures implemented are more efficient shower heads, adopting farmers who grow food for the restaurant and WASA has been metering the water on the hotels. Read more >>

Feb 23 – Post trip reflection

The post trip reflection journal. Overall, this trip has been a fantastic understanding of what water security in Trinidad and Tobago is like, looking at other countries other than Canada. It helped put in perspective the economic, governance and management of water security. The biggest takeaway has been the agricultural use of water. First at UWI’s research field and the seemingly absolute neglect put toward protecting it’s local groundwater supply from chemical seepage is inconceivable, especially coming from a university. Secondly from driving from the southern part of Tobago to the northern part, seeing all the slashing and burning. Though out of the control of the forestry management, those farmers can be better educated on the effects of burning of fields that destroy the infiltration process into the ground. Third, the aquaponic system provides solutions to the agricultural challenges posed by water insecurity. Not only does it use less than 10% of water compared to traditional agriculture, it can be easily constructed anywhere at any scale. This could help reduce the water stress while increasing local agricultural production for the increase tourism that will demand more food, decreasing the reliance on imported food. Read more >>

Day 1 – Trinidad – Carnival!

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Feb 17 – Carnival!
 
First day in Trinidad. As suspected, trying to beat the heat during carnival. On the bus ride into downtown, I notice that the city works on water storage tanks, something that is familiar with me through my travels. This can imply that water can easily cut out and therefore require a back up storage of water for the household, as from experience. Other observations were the WASA facilities on the ride down and there seems to be sewage treatment plant in the heart of the city. Not too far down is a Dasani plant for filtering bottling water. It is possible there is a deal struck between WASA and Dasani for bottling water.
I bought huge bottles of water, local Blue Waters (not Dasani), for drinking purposes while wandering Carnival. Even though with a water security issue, access to it seems to be fine during Carnival. Looking around, the sidewalks are constructed higher than I’d expect them to implying high water flooding in those poorly drained areas. Water is easily purchased meaning those who have access to water seem to get it regularly and do not have water insecurity.
I immediately spot the flooding in the streets around the carnival area  implying poor water drainage, as it hasn’t rained and there is high algae bloom in the water. My speculation is that this water has been sitting for quite some time. There are also gutters on the side of the road that are deliberately built in for wet season. This was learned in lecture with our guest lecture Nuna. I suspect she went during wet season as the gutters are mainly empty and dried. Though, there was garbage piling up as she had mentioned.
Water seems to be running fine in the dorms and showers. Shower time!