After returning from Khulna to Dhaka, we kick back and talk about the effect of our little contribution of boats and milk to the village of Dhangmari. We did lift a few tiny handful out of poverty—by enabling them to earn more than $2.50 USD per day. After experiencing the effect of the cyclone with [...]

The Final Cast - Relief from the Sundarbans [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In our last episode, we considered the ethics behind doing what I will call “Disaster Tourism,” which involves travelling to a disaster zone and bringing relief goods yourself. After we visited the village and saw the conditions post-cyclone, we discuss what we’ve seen and decide to purchase 17 boats with milk for a few village [...]

Just Before the Delivery [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today we’re broadcasting from the village of Banishanta, just at the edge of the Sundarbans in Southwestern Bangladesh. Mirza Hassan, the UK doctor, Michael Mangano, the American grad student, and myself discuss the positives and the negatives of delivering aid directly to people in need, as travellers. We also discuss the emotions of what we’ve [...]

Part 2: Broadcast from Banishanta [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Two friends are visiting me at the moment: Michael Mangano is a grad student from Boston who in his words, has a “3.5-something GPA.” Really, he’s a smart guy with a passion for making a difference, and his friends gave him $1030 USD to bring here on their behalf. Mirza Hassan, on the other hand, [...]

Tourism For Development: Should you bring the money yourself? [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I’ve cut together another feature for Asia Calling, tying the cyclone to the possibilities of climate change. Next week I’ll be heading down south to speak with more people and hear more stories. You can listen to the piece using the player below. I’m getting a pretty good kick working in sound again. It’s an [...]

Climate Change outlook bleak for Bangladesh [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In a more ideal world, I wouldn’t be writing you all again, asking for your help. But unfortunately, our responsibility to aid those who are in dire need is upon us again. We need your help. These villagers are moving a small shop to another location. See more pictures here. Caught by surprise Cyclone Sidr [...]

From Our Correspodent - RTE Ireland [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Bangladesh withers under second calamity this year [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download