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Video Game Hopes to Give Ugandan Victims Traces of Hope

LibertySugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:00:26 -0700

The British Red Cross has created a video game to raise awareness for child victims of the conflict in Uganda. Last week, the UN called for the release of 90 children abducted from school by LRA army. Crimes against children have been a constant during the 20 year battle; but the Red Cross believes that its Internet game "Traces of Hope" will help shine the spotlight on the vulnerable.

Players aim to help Joseph, a boy whose home and family has been torn apart by rebels, find his missing mother. The game site says: "He has a satellite phone, you have the web – together you’ll make a great team. Time is running out; guide Joseph through sickness, fire and violence as together you follow his traces of hope."

By placing clues for the game around the Internet, the game creators hope to blur the boundary between the game and the real world conflict. Since atrocities in the region often go unnoticed, perhaps this educational entertainment will help some wake up.

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Colombia Crossed Geneva Convention By Rescuing Hostages?

LibertySugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:00:21 -0700

Colombia violated the Geneva Convention when its military used the Red Cross' symbol to help free 15 hostages from FARC rebels last month, according to the International Red Cross. The first Geneva Convention prohibits using the Red Cross emblem in military operations because it could compromise the perceived neutrality of the group's humanitarian and medical missions.

The Colombia operatives posed as faux-humanitarian workers, and video shows that one soldier wore the Red Cross emblem. Colombia initially misrepresented its use of the emblem, but later apologized, calling the soldier's decision to wear the cross unauthorized.

While officials consider the details of their rescue, the most famous former hostage, Ingrid Betancourt, avoids discussing the details of her six-year captivity. To see what she has said however,

Good, Better, Best: Red Cross Medicine Cabinets

casasugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:10:03 -0700

We've all got bathroom essentials to store that may not necessarily be for all eyes to see (you know what I mean), and of course we've got to have a healthy supply of first aid supplies. There's no reason, though, to throw them in a messy drawer, or let them pile up on the bathroom counter. With these red cross medicine cabinets, you can bring a little bit of pharmacy chic into your home without compromising your counterspace, and you don't have to be Swiss to own one.

Good:

This HEAL's Cross Design Medicine Cabinet ($91) keeps your essentials under lock and key, and out of the hands of small children. It's wall mountable, so you can view all of your goodies at eye level, and it comes in iconic red & white or cool aqua.

Two even better medicine cabinets follow, so

Ready-Made Emergency Kits

casasugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:30:12 -0700

Yesterday, I gave you a primer on making an emergency preparedness kit. Whether you live in hurricane alley, earthquake country, or anywhere in between, there are essential items you should have around in case of a disaster.

Fortunately, a number of companies and non-profits have started offering ready-made (and sometimes quite stylish) emergency kits to help you along. Some of these have everything you need to get by, while others are meant merely as "starter kits," so it's still a good idea to make sure you have everything on the Red Cross's checklist. To see some of the best ready-made kits I've found, just click on the photos below.

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