The left bank of the Dnieper River has been very hard hit by Russian strikes, leaving most people in the dark for days on end. Their houses are without warmth and without electricity, and the old people try to heat themselves by wearing more clothes and turning on the gas of their stoves. They suffer a lot.
South Africa's Foreign Minister, Ronald Lamola, met with the families of 11 South African men recently repatriated after being lured into the conflict. The ministry said it was deeply concerned by the "suspicious circumstances" and predatory recruitment tactics used. Separately, Lamola said two South Africans had died fighting for Russia.
Her son has put in the request to the volunteer humanitarian team ferrying civilians to safety in the east of the country. But she is caring for her brother, who is paralysed, the woman protests and what about her German shepherd? As explosions boom terrifyingly close, a volunteer patiently explains that his team will carry her brother to the minivan and don't worry, bring the dog.
Since October's ceasefire, which meant Israel would allow some - but not nearly enough - aid trucks to enter our besieged Strip, people in Gaza have desperately been eating, whenever possible, what they had been deprived of previously. Yet, as a result, many have developed " refeeding syndrome," which is a serious medical condition. Refeeding syndrome occurs when food is suddenly reintroduced after a prolonged period of starvation - and Israel has subjected those of us in Gaza to such periods on multiple occasions.
