News

Bangladesh arsenic free by 2013

04 February 2009

The government of Bangladesh has reaffirmed its goal to make the country's drinking water arsenic-free by 2013.

"Safe drinking water is a major problem in Bangladesh. We have to use more chemicals for more agricultural production to feed more people. Chemicals contaminate the water sources, so does arsenic. We will make the country arsenic free by 2013," declared Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhit on 30 January at the biennial conference of the Bangladesh Chemical Society.

Dhaka has placed added emphasis on research and innovative technology to address the issue, as well as additional financial resources, he said.

His words come as more than 2,000 residents in the village of Garchapra, Alamdanga sub-district in Chuadanga District, fear developing arsenicosis after years of drinking contaminated water.

A recent survey conducted by the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) and the Chuadanga District Health Office has confirmed 130 arsenicosis cases in the village.

Stalled power talks worsen Zimbabwe suffering, warns South Africa church

03 February 2009

The South African Council of Churches (SACC) has voiced its concerns over drawn-out power negotiations that could stall the plight of Zimbabwe's people, Ecumenical News International reported on 2 February.

Council leaders say people's suffering is being prolonged while the leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change, Morgan Tsvangirai battles out leadership negotiations with Robert Mugabe.

SACC general secretary Eddie Makue said the 27-member SACC, which includes most of South Africa's major churches and the conference of Roman Catholic bishops, wants Zimbabweans to find their own political solutions, but said it was saddened that a deal reportedly reached the day before was not yet tangible.

He said: "We are worried that the mediation process does not seem acceptable to all parties. It's unfortunate that conflicting reports in the media from the participants in the negotiations seem not concerned about the people suffering. The people of Zimbabwe have been subjected to a lot of pain and suffering."

Tsvangirai has accused Mugabe of keeping the most powerful ministries in the government for his own party, which lost elections in March 2008.

But his party has agreed to join a unity government with Zanu-PF if its leader, Robert Mugabe, meets its demands for a meaningful say in choosing key officials.

Sri Lanka: Growing concern for trapped civilians

30 January 2009

Displaced Sri Lankans are struggling to find safety from the ongoing conflict in the northeastern part of the country, Geneva based ACT International reports.

The National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) reports that internally displaced persons are fleeing into government-controlled areas in the northern part of the country. NCCSL added, "People are traveling on foot carrying nothing but their children."

Caribbean youths seek a future with other faiths

29 January 2009

Young people of different faith groups in Guyana got together for a series of special workshops to help them shape a better future.

Youths from Guyana Congregational Union and other church partners as well as particpants from other faiths including Hindu and Rastafari met up over four weekends in November and December as part of the Guyana leg of the Young Empowerment for Change Workshop in Georgetown.

Christian youths in Caribbean seek a future with other faiths

29 January 2009

Young people of different faith groups in Guyana got together for a series of special workshops to help them shape a better future.

Youths from Guyana Congregational Union and other church partners as well as particpants from other faiths including Hindu and Rastafari met up over four weekends as part of the Guyana leg of the Young Empowerment for Change Workshop in Georgetown.

Zambia church celebrates 900 members on 50th birthday

29 January 2009

Members of St Andrew's Congregation in Zambia have reported a rise in members from 50 to more than 900 in the last half-century, the Lusaka Times reported on 12 January.