E. Mark Windle 21 April 2025. Following the Arab-Israeli war of the late 1940s, a top priority for the displaced in Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon and Syria was to tackle the need for physical shelter. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was a response to theContinue reading “Early Days—UNRWA and the Camps of Gaza”
Category Archives: Commentary
The ‘Review of Famine Reports’ and Gaza— the UKLFI are at it Again
E. Mark Windle 31 March 2025. In the recent Review of Famine Reports, the UK Lawyers for Israel organisation (UKLFI) lodged their complaint regarding use of the Integrated Phase Classification categorisation of the risk and existence of famine in Gaza. Their allegations have included the use of inaccurate statistics, misinterpretation of raw data and poor dataContinue reading “The ‘Review of Famine Reports’ and Gaza— the UKLFI are at it Again”
A Question of Famine: IPC Food Security Phases and the Gaza Debate
E. Mark Windle 25 March 2025. (Audio version is also available here for Medium members) Humanitarian crises management requires input from a range of invested but not necessarily directly connected agencies. One element of coordinating interventions involves common understanding of the current state of food insecurity. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) scale addressesContinue reading “A Question of Famine: IPC Food Security Phases and the Gaza Debate”
This Parched Land: The Weaponisation of Water in Gaza
Access to clean water is essential for survival, yet over two billion people lack it, particularly in Gaza where military actions and infrastructure destruction restrict supply. The situation worsened post-October 2023 due to war, leading to disease outbreaks among children. Future recovery hinges on urgent WASH initiatives and international cooperation.
Troubling the Water: The Power of Song, from the Underground Railroad to Rhythm and Blues
Wade in the waterWade in the water childrenWade in the waterGod said He’s gonna trouble the water We are the sons and the daughtersWe gotta stand up and make it loudJust like our God told the PharaohLet my people go We are a new generationFrom the ones who have gone beforeHe’s calling us out ofContinue reading “Troubling the Water: The Power of Song, from the Underground Railroad to Rhythm and Blues”
Malnutrition and Mortality in Gaza, One Year Later. Who’s Counting the Dead?
E. Mark Windle 1 November 2024. It’s a tragic sign of the times when little introductory narrative is needed to set the near-apocalyptic scene that exists in Gaza today. The world watches from a distance as Israel’s onslaught continues and the civilian death toll escalates to unimaginable levels. Now, the nightmare that Palestinian survivors are currentlyContinue reading “Malnutrition and Mortality in Gaza, One Year Later. Who’s Counting the Dead?”
October Book Release: In Other Words. Commentaries on Writing Craft, Life and Music
E. Mark Windle 4 October 2024. In Other Words. Commentaries on Writing Craft, Life and Music is a collection of short articles, opinion pieces, and industry press releases originally published in print and online between 2021 and 2024. The aim of this project is to present a sample of works on a variety of themesContinue reading “October Book Release: In Other Words. Commentaries on Writing Craft, Life and Music”
Maurice Williams, R&B Vocal Group Frontman, Passes
E. Mark Windle 6 August 2024. The passing of Maurice Williams, frontman for the R&B vocal group Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, has just been confirmed by North Carolina sources. Williams was originally from Lancaster, SC. His group involvement was a long one, commencing with the Royal Charms in the early fifties, then the JuniorContinue reading “Maurice Williams, R&B Vocal Group Frontman, Passes”
Juke Joint
E. Mark Windle 25 February 2024. “We had to ask the owner of Abe’s BBQ in Clarksdale how to get there. His hand-written directions on the back of a napkin was our GPS for this shack at the edge of a cornfield. Don’t expect signs to point you there. Heck, don’t even expect signs withContinue reading “Juke Joint”
A Toast to Childhood, Spielberg, and Spanish Ladies
E. Mark Windle 15 February 2024. Reflecting on Jaws, the iconic movie that defined an era. Its literary inspiration, why today’s kids don’t get it, and what they are missing. Society has a habit of compartmentalising history. It occurs all the time where the arts are concerned. Some creative masterpieces maintain permanent legendary status, whileContinue reading “A Toast to Childhood, Spielberg, and Spanish Ladies”