International Humanitarian Crisis Awareness Society (IHCAS)

In this new episode of the IHCAS podcast, our amazing and talented voice actresses discuss the 2020 armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

Credit: Cover Art

EXPLOSION IN LEBANON - Shortly after 6:00 pm that day, the roof of a warehouse was on fire and there was a large initial explosion, followed by a series of smaller blasts. Witnesses say that the sound was like fireworks going off, and around 30 seconds later, a colossal explosion occurred. In various videos taken by the people of Lebanon, we see a mushroom cloud immediately after and a huge shockwave that caused even more damage than the explosion itself. To learn more about the explosion in Lebanon, check out this episode!

Voiceover: Kosheen Mehndiratta & Leona Lam

Cover Art: Sarah Janmohamed

UYGHUR MUSLIMS IN CHINA - The CNN has exposed "leaked Chinese government records" that reveal detailed surveillance reports on Uyghur families and Beijing's justification for mass detentions, along with a personal account from Uyghur victim, Rozinsa Mamattohti. Curious of what China has to say about this accusation? Check out this episode of our podcast to learn about the oppression of Uyghur Muslims in China. 

Voiceover: Huda Masood and Caitlin Cheung

Cover Art: Braydon Wang

LIBYAN SLAVE TRADE - There are more than three times as many people in forced servitude today as were captured and sold during the 350-year span of the transatlantic slave trade. What the ILO calls “the new slavery” takes in 25 million people in debt bondage and 15 million in forced marriage. As an illicit industry, it is one of the world’s most lucrative, earning criminal networks $150 billion a year, just behind drug smuggling and weapons trafficking. “Modern slavery is far and away more profitable now than at any point in human history,” says Siddharth Kara, an economist at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy. If you are interested in learning more about the Libyan Slave Trade, check out this episode for more information!

Voiceover: Caitlin Cheung and Katelyn Mo

Cover Art: Braydon Wang

YEMEN CAN’T WAIT - One of the most devastating conditions in Yemen is the current famine crisis caused by a lack of food supplies and medical care. Despite the ongoing humanitarian assistance, 15.9 million people wake up hungry every day. It is estimated that, in the absence of food assistance, this number would go up to 20 million. Malnutrition rates among women and children in Yemen remain among the highest in the world, with more than a million women and 2 million children requiring treatment for acute malnutrition. More than half of all families are buying food on credit, up by almost 50 percent compared to pre-crisis levels. Watch this episode to learn more about the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and how the famine, COVID-19 pandemic and cholera outbreak have made it worse. 

Voiceover: Huda Masood and Katelyn Mo

Cover Art: Dylan Wang

POLICE BRUTALITY IS REAL IN CANADA - Police brutality has had a long history in Canada, especially against Indigenous groups. Over the last century, indigenous people have been the main victims of police murder and unnecessarily violent arrests. Canada's Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said its officers fatally shot 61 people across Canada between 2007 and 2017. In 22 of those cases, the memo said, the victim was Indigenous. Twelve deaths, or 20 per cent of the overall total, took place on a reserve or in an Indigenous community. Several Indigenous people were also killed “off-reserve” – in such cities as Yellowknife, Burnaby, B.C., and Golden, B.C. To learn more about police brutality and discrimination is Canada, listen to this episode of our podcast!

Voiceover: Caitlin Cheung and Huda Masood

Cover Art: Braydon Wang

POLICE ARE MEANT TO PROTECT, NOT HARM - George Floyd’s murder was a result of police brutality. No officer should ever have that much power over another human being. The world has slowly come to realize this, and they are starting to fight back against this great injustice. Police brutality is defined when police use unnecessary and unjust excessive force against the public. Check out this episode to learn about the reasons for police brutality in the US and the current ongoing Black Lives Matter movement.

Voiceover: Caitlin Cheung and Katelyn Mo

Cover Art: Dylan Wang