Communication is Aid: Old and New Technologies Make Aid More ...

Communication can and should be seen as aid. People rely on communication to find out what?s happening, where to go for assistance and who to call for help. Research and projects, such as infoasaid, give evidence that communication is crucial to survival and recovery. In fact, the Communicating with Disaster Affected Communities (CDAC) Network positions two-way communication with affected people at the heart of resilience-building, preparedness and response.

If communication is aid, what does that mean in practice? And how do we get better at doing it? These are some of the questions that participants of the ?Communication is Aid: Humanitarian, Media and Technology Collaboration? event*, held in Nairobi on December 6, tried to answer.

In her opening remarks, Gabriella Waaijman, Officer in Charge of UNOCHA Eastern Africa, explained, ?Gone are the days when humanitarian agencies can provide assistance without asking what the needs are in the communities where they are working.??There is no doubt in my mind that we need to listen to communities because they are the only ones who know what?s happening on the ground and can suggest what would improve their day-to-day lives. We need to empower them with the tools to communicate their needs to us, and we need to effectively respond. Modern development requires two-way communication and listening.

Are we there yet? That?s for debate, but we are certainly getting closer. Adeso is implementing a USAID project in northern Kenya, working with pastoral and transitional communities to reduce hunger and poverty, increase social stability, and build strong foundations for economic growth and environmental resilience, and we are looking at ways to use communication to enhance these objectives.?USAID also helped jumpstart SokoShambani, a free SMS platform that allows small-scale potato farmers in Kenya to connect directly with buyers. ?It takes the farmer to the market, and the market to the farm,? as Stephen Kimiri of ZEVAN explains.

Shujaaz.FM main character DJ Boyie pirates airtime to talk about what's important to Kenyan youth. Photo credit: Riccardo Gangale/USAID.

Other examples include the Praekelt Foundation?s?development of the Young Africa Live mobile platform that provides young people in Africa with?information about HIV/AIDS and other sexual health issues.?Since 2009, the platform has been used by more than a million people in South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya. The Danish Refugee Council has for its part adapted the Ushahidi platform ? a free and open source software for information collection, visualization and interactive mapping that was first used following Kenya?s disputed 2007 elections to collect eyewitness reports of violence and place them on a?Google Maps?? to monitor humanitarian aid in?Somalia. Through this system, DRC?s beneficiaries can use their mobile phone to provide feedback on the aid they received from DRC, and make complaints.

So, how do we use the right technologies in the right context? As Rob Burnet from Well Told Story underlined, ?Push won?t work ? it must be pull.? We need to understand our audience and really listen to what they want. For example, USAID invested in Well Told Story?s innovative Shujaaz.FM multi-media project aimed to engage Kenya?s youth in promoting peace for the March 2013 elections. The project includes fictional Kenyan youth who grapple with real social and political challenges in a monthly comic book and through daily radio spots. The project gained popularity and 20,000 Kenyan youth now interact with the characters on Facebook.

Humanitarian and development players can learn a lot from private sector entities who are developing new technological solutions to address some the challenges faced when delivering aid. At the same time, we must keep in mind that while technology is part of the solution, it is not the solution in and of itself. It needs to be used in the right context, by the right people and for the right audience. Improving how we communicate will therefore require resources, training and commitment. My hope is that we continue to seek modern communication methods to provide more opportunities for learning, exchange and future collaborations for all audiences around the globe.

*Adeso and UNOCHA Eastern Africa jointly organized this one-day event, in partnership with the CDAC Network and Internews, and with financial support from BBC Media Action and Microsoft. Presentations and video from the event will be available on the Adeso website in the coming weeks, and in the meantime, have a look at this Storify.

Source: http://blog.usaid.gov/2013/01/communication-is-aid-old-and-new-technologies-make-aid-more-effective/

bloom energy franklin graham jambalaya taylor swift and zac efron basketball wives manny ramirez easter 2012

Northern Irish fighting rages on as rioters branded "a disgrace"

BELFAST (Reuters) - Northern Irish police came under attack by pro-British loyalists on Friday as the province's first minister branded rioters "a disgrace" and said they were playing into the hands of rival militant nationalists.

Rioting began a month ago after a vote by mostly nationalist pro-Irish councilors to end the century-old tradition of flying the British flag from Belfast City Hall every day unleashed the most sustained period of violence in the city for years.

On Friday, police said officers came under attack in the east of the city by masked mobs hurling petrol bombs, rocks and fireworks.

A number of officers were injured, several arrests were made and police deployed water cannon to control a crowd that at one point swelled to 400 protesters.

First Minister Peter Robinson, leader of the pre-eminent Protestant group, the Democratic Unionist Party, called the decision to take down the flag "ill-considered and provocative" but said the attacks must end.

"The violence visited on (police) is a disgrace, criminally wrong and cannot be justified," said Robinson, whose party shares power with deputy first minister and ex-Irish Republican Army commander Martin McGuinness' Sinn Fein Party

"Those responsible are doing a grave disservice to the cause they claim to espouse and are playing into the hands of those dissident groups who would seek to exploit every opportunity to further their terror aims."

More than 40 police officers were injured in the initial wave of fighting, which stopped over Christmas, only to resume on Thursday when a further 10 police officers were hurt as the community divisions were exposed once more.

At least 3,600 people were killed during Northern Ireland's darkest period as Catholic nationalists seeking union with Ireland fought British security forces and mainly Protestant loyalists determined to remain part of the United Kingdom.

Anti-British Catholic dissident groups, responsible for the killing of three police officers and two soldiers since 2009, have so far not reacted violently to the flag protests, limiting the threat to Northern Ireland's 15-year-old peace.

Another demonstration calling for reinstating the Union Flag will be held outside City Hall on Saturday while some loyalists have pledged to hold a protest in Dublin the following Saturday.

(Reporting by Ian Graham; Editing by Padraic Halpin and Christopher Wilson)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/northern-irish-fighting-rages-rioters-branded-disgrace-005544318.html

foster friess new orleans hornets ghost rider spirit of vengeance hornets prince johan friso windows 8 logo anguilla

touchwebsitesolutions.com - Website for Sale on Flippa: PR 2 Web ...

http://touchwebsitesolutions.com - 22,224 People Visited in last 1 year - 37.74%Search Traffic | 39.26%Referral Traffic | 23.00%?Direct Traffic

http://touchwebsitesolutions.com/blog - 21,244 People Visited in Last 6 months. Blog is using different Google Analytics account - 82.09%?Search Traffic | 5.14%?Referral Traffic | 2.76%?Direct Traffic

Both the website and blog verified analytics and screenshots has been attached to listing.

In today?s world, people are more and more interested in being online. Due to the high cost of advertising, a good web presence is essential. This is especially the case for small to medium sized businesses. The web design business are really huge right now and this trend will only continue for years to come.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY:

This could be a huge?one time opportunity?for any web developer who wants to expand his business or for someone who wants to begin for the first time and maybe outsource the work.

The buyer would not only be purchasing a website, he/she would be receiving a full-fledged business.?A business that has been carefully crafted over the past year that while having huge growth potential, has also already proven its worth as a successful enterprise.

This particular business is an automated one in the sense that customers can find us online, eventually call in for more information, and we can help them to order online. Many clients simply come online and order their preferred package. After ordering, they automatically receive a project description form where they can give us information concerning their project.

I was a freelancer and i was working on web development project since 2006. From 2006 to 2010 i did job as a php web developer. Then after i started my own development business and was taking local projects. I registered the company in june 2011 and took a domain name of the company. The company has been operating since june 2011, The company is now 1.5 year old and has became a successful web design and development company completed more than 200 projects in last 1.5 years. We have worked with more than 50 clients in last 1.5 years.

Due to one of my large projects needing some big cash i am selling this website and business. Overall the business is doing well and there are lots of ways to increase revenue and profit even further.?

This website has been run by me with my 2 developers and 1 designer. The developers salary is $600 and the designer salary is $550 and i am having our office on rent from where i operate this business.

I am making around $4000 to $6000 net profit per month.

Some of the clients website is hosted on our server and some are fix client which are sending regular work. We have a reseller hosting which will be transferred by your name once this website is purchased. The overall cost to operate this business is low and the profit is also good. On average there is 1 enquiry per 2 days for website design and development projects.

BLOG

The website also has a blog which only needs an hour a day to approve the pending post created by users. You don't even need to find bloggers or hire bloggers for blogging. Lots of people are blogging for us for free. There are about 87 contributors on blog who contribute unique copyscape passed articles regularly. There are about 38 post pending on blog. I approve 2 to 3 post per 10 to 15 days.?

Why?BID WITH CONFIDENCE

Winning buyer will receive Skype support from me, in person support if travel arrangements and?expenses?are paid by you.Also if you can prove that you are a serious buyer, we can?Skype?before the sale

I also provide income guarantee from this website. The net profit i can guarantee from this website is at least $4000 and that means after giving salaries to employees, rent, server cost, internet bills, light bills etc the money in buyers hand will be atleast $4000. 40% projects are coming from website and 40% projects are coming from freelancing sites where we can fantastic reviews which will also be given to you and rest of the 20% clients are fixed clients.

Around $1200 to $1500 net is from local client. $2000 to $3000? net from website enquiries. And in last 4 months profit has been increased and doubled and client base has expanded as in last 4 months we joined a freelancing site and earned $10000 + from freelancing site in last 4 month and the account has 100% positive feedback.

I am happy to have a video conversation with you on skype to share my screen to show you the website earnings, analytics, from where the income is coming, how many clients are fixed, how many clients website are hosted on our reseller servers, how many bloggers have joined our blog, how many posts are daily coming and lot more. Last 1 year verified google analytics stats for both website and blog has been attached.

I know a seller claiming "$4K a month net profit!" might seem like a common thing on Flippa... BUT, after the auctions is ended, we will sign a contract via Echosign stating the guarantee on the $4K/month for the new owner IMMEDIATELY.

I repeat, we will put this GUARANTEE IN WRITING and we will disclose further identifiable information to guarantee the buyer will see these levels of activity and returns within just few months.

WHERE DOES THE TRAFFIC COMES FROM?

The whole google analytics from 2011 to 2012 is attached in listing and has been verified by flippa.

The domain name was registered in 2011. Our website has 1147 organic keywords on Google from which we got traffic in last one year.

THE PACKAGE WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

1)????? The domain touchwebsitesolutions.com and touchwebsitesolutions.co.uk

2)????? The logo containing the source files

3)????? The webpages? source files

4)????? The source files for our own development materials created in last 2 years.?With this website the buyer gets development materials which we used in last 2 years:

• Social Network Portal More advance than facebook with mobile version
• dating portals more advance than cupid with mobile version
• hotel management system
• online booking portals
• ecommerce website software
• classified website portal with mobile version
• Web 2.0 portal. A website like wordpress.com where users can come and create their own website for free.
• Customer Support Ticket System
• File sharing portal like wetransfer.com
• Payment gateways plugins and extension for wordpress and magento etc

This is just an overview of advance development materials. We have huge stock of 100+ developed web applications, plugins, extension, portals, 100+ graphics, designs, css tables etc and these materials can be reused in future for any projects or can be used as SAAS model.

We reuse this materials each month for our clients by just changing its design and improving some features. With this website you get whole business as well as development and designing materials. You will own source files for our softwares, plugins and scripts. The buyer will have the full rights to duplicate and tweak it towards their own preferences and future use.

For your info the softwares, applications and plugins included with the website are worth more than 30K USD. That means if you hire a development company for development of all this materials then they may charge you more than 30K USD and each and every software can be used as a SAAS Product or for your own use. That makes the value of your property on par with 100K USD. Feel free to check the prices of this softwares in market and make a decision on what values the most in this website.

5) Whole development team including a business development Manager.?

Winner can also outsource the work to the same place from where the company is operating right now. I will help you appoint a BD Manager here to run the website and business. The BD Manager and a small team including rented office from which buyer can earn at least $4000 by just sitting at home and monitoring emails and bank accounts. Right now i am operating this business with just 2 people. To sum up your total investment after purchasing this website would be:

$3000 with designer, developer, rented office, BD Manager and some extra cost also included. BD Manager will be able to close at least $8000 monthly and net profit will be around $4000 to $5000 and thats 100% sure.

So buyer will be able to cover his/her investment in just few months and i can guarantee you that. I just need some quick cash to run my own personal scheme(Building) and thats the reason need to sell this website. My loss is your gain.

I can tell you that with full confidence that its a once in lifetime opportunity where you get website that earns as well as materials which are worth more than website. In such a low price what else any one can get in market. And i can also tell you that indian companys are growing with top speed, purchasing this website and putting some more efforts can earn you more than $10k per month. To be honest with you if i will be not in the need of money then i wont be selling this. Its because i need money i was looking forward to sell the website. Feel free to offer me your bid.

To express your interest to the seller, or post a public comment, you need to log in or sign up.

Listing details are copyright of the seller. The seller grants a permanent, irrevocable and unrestricted licence over the listing details to Flippa.

Source: https://flippa.com/2867107-pr-2-web-design-site-with-3428-uniques-mo-making-4500-mo

aj jenkins shea mcclellin nfl draft 2012 whitney mercilus 2012 nfl draft picks andrew luck andrew luck

Egyptian officials fly to UAE to discuss arrests

CAIRO (AP) ? Two senior Egyptian officials flew to the United Arab Emirates Wednesday to discuss the arrest of 11 Egyptians accused of forming a Muslim Brotherhood cell in the emirate, Cairo airport officials said.

A statement from Egypt's president said one of the envoys, Essam el-Haddad, presidential adviser for foreign affairs and international cooperation, was carrying a letter from President Mohammed Morsi to the UAE President Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Morsi is from the Muslim Brotherhood, which has emerged as Egypt's most powerful political force in the aftermath of the uprising that ousted longtime President Hosni Mubarak nearly two years ago.

The statement did not disclose the contents of the letter. It said el-Haddad will also meet officials in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

All political parties or groups are banned in the tightly controlled UAE.

The UAE's Al-Khaleej newspaper reported Tuesday that the 11 Egyptians were arrested last month after allegedly collecting security information about the UAE, holding secret meetings, recruiting members and sending large amounts of money to Brotherhood leaders in Cairo.

Envoys are expected to discuss relations between the two countries, which have soured after Egyptian presidential candidate and former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq flew to the UAE soon after he narrowly lost to Morsi in Egypt's presidential elections last year.

Litigation against Shafiq followed his departure, with a number of investigations and court cases accusing him of corruption during his long political career under Mubarak.

News media in the two countries reported accusations about alleged conspiracies against each other, including rumors of a plan to kidnap Morsi and take him to the UAE. The rumors peaked when thousands of Egyptians demonstrated in front of Morsi's palace last month, protesting a draft constitution and a presidential decree giving Morsi wider powers.

In September, Dubai's police chief, Lt. Gen. Dahi Khalfan Tamim, warned of an "international plot" to overthrow the Gulf governments by Islamists inspired by the rise to power of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

The UAE has not faced street protests during Arab Spring upheavals, but authorities have stepped up arrests and pressure on groups including an Islamist organization, Al Islah, accused of undermining the country's ruling system.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/egyptian-officials-fly-uae-discuss-arrests-144405929.html

black history groundhogs day paula abdul cinnamon challenge lou dobbs rock salt david letterman

What I Do & Do Not Want To See From Next-Gen Sports Games ...

Sports games will be front and center when the new systems come out, but let?s not get carried away by the hype.

I?ve been bamboozled by my fair share of console launches. In previous console generations I got so caught up in the glitz and the newness of the moment that I lost sight of whether the games were actually any good. I don?t intend to this time around, and I hope you don?t either.

Here?s a list of some of things I would like to see in next-gen sports games ? along with a list of things I think will be the smoke and mirrors features that developers will try and sell you on.

DON?T BELIEVE THE HYPE

Graphics: Good graphics for a new system are a given. I don?t want to hear about how detailed the players are, because if that?s the main selling point, then the game hasn?t done enough to advance the genre forward.

Online: In an age when online services like Xbox Live are evolving platforms that exist regardless of the system, it?s not a huge feat to have your game always connected. Even in this generation, games like Need for Speed: Most Wanted are constantly using your game data in myriad ways.

Peripheral Support: While all the peripherals ? whether that?s Kinect, Move, or even the Wii U GamePad ? could be more integrated into the gameplay experience better when appropriate, I don?t see any of them being germane to the sports genre in a meaningful way. I think it?s a dead-end and a distraction for developers? time and resources,?not a signal of next-gen gaming.

The Numbers Game: When these next-gen sports games come out, there are going to be a lot of numbers thrown around. How many polygons or animations a title has will be boasted from the rooftops, and while they might be indications of quality, let?s not get caught up in the window dressing.

WHAT I WANT TO SEE

Full Feature Sets: Given that the new systems will certainly be powerful and disc space will be adequate, there?s no excuse to put out a next-gen sports title that lacks features. The debacle that was Madden NFL 06 for the current generation should never be repeated or excused. Getting features transferred over to the new games is a question of time and money, but seeing as how we?ve seen these systems coming from a long ways away, our games? feature sets shouldn?t be gimped.

Smarter AI: I would love it if the power of the new systems could be dedicated to improve the behavioral artificial intelligence of the non-player-controlled players. Getting AI people in games to act like real humans is a tall order, however, and it's a problem that some developers think won?t be solved any time soon.

Improved Physics: Any increases in processing power should lead to more powerful game engines capable of more accurate detections of collision and the depiction of the results. The current-generation of systems do this to mixed results, so hopefully we?ll see some progress with the new platforms.

Screenshots from Madden NFL 13

Source: http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/01/01/what-i-do-and-do-not-want-to-see-from-next-gen-sports-games.aspx

Santa Claus Feliz Navidad Netflix down NRA Ryan Freel Melissa Nelson sound of music

Runaway Oil Rig Under Control, Shell Says

[unable to retrieve full-text content]An enormous Shell Oil offshore rig that had broken free and gone adrift in the Gulf of Alaska for the better part of three days was brought under control on Monday, the company said.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/01/business/energy-environment/runaway-oil-rig-under-control-shell-says.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

dodgers rachel maddow gia la riots new jersey devils torn acl derrick rose injury

Wood Patio Cover Designs | Home Improvement | Patio Design Ideas

There are many designs of patio cover obtainable out there, including wood patio cover designs. If you like this type, below are a few of their benefits and drawbacks to assist you making a decision if they are definitely the best that suitable for you. These types of patio cover are the most useful options for home owners who desire magnificence as well as natural beauty. Considering the patios is placed outdoors of the residence, wooden will definitely naturally mix with the outside and may have plenty of the cozy and comfortable atmosphere from your indoors.

Moreover it?s the best materials to decide on in case you are also considering growing flowers or perhaps vines on the top as well as on the side of the patio cover. These kinds of flowers and vines will surely give more impressive result to the patio. Besides of their own magnificence and natural beauty,

wood patio cover designs

are usually liked by homeowners since they could be painted or stained along with any kind of color that fits their own choice. This characteristic makes it possible for you to fit your patio depending on the color within your house. When you finally colored your current patio cover using the colors which flesh out your entire house, you?ll absolutely enjoy the improved look that it?ll present.

Furthermore, wood covers is pretty low-cost unlike another varieties of materials utilized for patio cover. Using this method you don?t need to panic about your financial budget will be out of control, but rather have fun with the extra cost savings which you will obtain. With simply a little amount of money, you are able to set up patio cover and that can be workable for a long time. Patio cover that made from wood will surely provide you with plenty of benefits. Nevertheless, before making your final decision, you need to have a look at their disadvantages.

Wood patio cover designs

need frequently maintenance and need to be taken care of for termite and also weather resistance. Wood patio cover it must repainted frequently due to the fact that wooden colors easily fade out. Therefore, when you decide on this choice, you must be prepared for the maintenance that?s requires and be sure that you spare extra time for that. Following these benefits and drawbacks mentioned to you, now you can make a decision if these types is the proper choices for your desired patio covers or perhaps not. If you feel these aren?t, check it out in the other available choices for example fiber, acrylic or perhaps aluminum.

Posts related to Wood Patio Cover Designs

Patio Cover Designs

Patio Cover Designs There is a large number of patio cover designs present on the market place nowadays, who actually including wood patio cover designs. ...

Patio Cover Design for Your Enjoyable Terrace

How do you design your terrace architectural? You may only design it without any consideration. It may be designed as the house combination. Before you ...

Learn more about Patio Design Ideas

Patio design ideas is a term that homeowner always looking for when it comes to redesign or construct the patio?s. Construction outdoor patios offer numerous ...

Aluminum Patio Furniture

Choosing patio furniture can be a difficult decision with so many choices. There is a convenient option as well as a beautiful terrace for any ...

Patio Dining Chairs

A warm summer night is a great opportunity to enjoy a meal outside the home. Any patio can be properly regulated to provide comfortable dining ...

Patio furniture repair service from Patio Guys

Are you going to buy new outdoor furniture? Then, you need to choose Patio Furniture. Nowadays, Patio Furniture is really popular. There are so many ...

adminPosted in: Exterior Design, Patio Deck

Source: http://www.atarimdesign.com/wood-patio-cover-designs.html

china gdp dont trust the b in apartment 23 johnny damon kirk cameron news 10 hillary rosen j.k. rowling

Source: http://wilfredoayers533.typepad.com/blog/2012/12/wood-patio-cover-designs-home-improvement-patio-design-ideas.html

kansas state last house on the left last house on the left rich forever mixtape blow the unit bob weston

Source: http://okuritaa.posterous.com/wood-patio-cover-designs-home-improvement-pat

cmas tcu dr. oz heart attack grill las vegas the heart attack grill joe kennedy iii joseph kennedy iii

Source: http://tgoofikta.posterous.com/wood-patio-cover-designs-home-improvement-pat

san francisco earthquake terminator salvation terminator salvation deron williams jarhead montrose marshawn lynch

Source: http://danilorivera9.typepad.com/blog/2013/01/wood-patio-cover-designs-home-improvement-patio-design-ideas.html

cbi the shins atomic clock daylight savings time john mccain game changer selection sunday