【625-628】伊拉克战争受害者求助于社交媒体寻求医疗帮助
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AS IT IS
Iraqi War Victims Turn to Social Media to Find Medical Help
November 27, 2018
Plastic surgeon Dr. Abbas al-Sahan makes surgical marks around the damaged ear of Saja Ahmed Saleem, before her reconstructive surgery in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 6, 2018.
It was spring 2007 in northern Iraq when 6-year-old Saja Saleem ran home from school with good news about her progress in school. She hoped to receive a gift her father had promised her.
“I found myself spinning into the air…after a loud boom,” Saleem, now age 17, told The Associated Press.
Saleem lost her eyesight, right arm and an ear in the explosion. The cause was a roadside bomb. Months later, her injuries forced her to leave school after other students criticized her “scary face.”
Saleem recently turned to social media to find help. Eventually, her appeal captured the attention of a doctor who offered free medical care.
Other Iraqis have also turned to social media.
Emotional videos and pictures of people with war wounds and other disabilities have appeared on Facebook and other social media websites.
The 2003 invasion of Iraq by a United States-led coalition and the violence that followed left hundreds of thousands of Iraqis wounded. That number increased with the 2014-2017 conflict against Islamic State forces. Many Iraqis have lost arms or legs. Their suffering continues long after the violence ended.
Poor quality medical services, few specialized doctors or medical centers, and poverty have added to the suffering. Those who cannot get treatment at state-supported hospitals and those who find private doctors too costly are turning to social media to make appeals.
Appeals are placed on the personal Facebook pages of patients or on the pages of aid groups and people with tens of thousands of followers. Patients describe their condition and provide contact information. Messages are also published on messaging services like WhatsApp and Viber.
Saleem and her family remember the explosion that destroyed her life, and the years that followed as they struggled financially to get her treated.
“When I hit the ground, I felt severe pain all over my body ... I was bleeding, a pool of blood around me ... everything turned dark and I lost consciousness,” she said. She spoke from her bed at a Baghdad hospital, where doctors have been performing operations to repair her physical appearance for free.
Saleem’s mother, Khawla Omar Hussein, remembers her daughter’s shouts when she regained consciousness and realized she had lost her right arm and ear.
“She woke up screaming, crying: ‘Mammy, mammy’,” Hussein recalled. “Then she asked: ‘Why can’t I see...why is everything dark?’”
Hospital workers told her it was the bandages covering her eyes and that she would see after they were removed. When that day came, the doctors told her she had lost both eyes.
Nearly two years later, Saleem’s family tried to send her back to school, where she was accepted only as a “listener” in class. But that soon ended as other students and teachers said that her face was difficult to look at.
“I was crying day and night,” Saleem said.
The state-supported hospital was only able to perform the necessary treatments to save her life. So Saleem’s family considered plastic and reconstructive surgery for her at a private hospital, but they were unable to pay $7,500 for the operations.
Then, in late 2017, her mother made an appeal, leaving pictures of Saleem and other details in a public group on Viber. Days later, Abbas al-Sahan, one of Iraq’s best plastic surgeons, offered to treat her for free.
Al-Sahan heads the only state-operated hospital for plastic surgery in Iraq. He said that about 40 percent of the monthly operations his hospital preforms — between 600 to 850 — are for victims of bombings and other war-related explosions, as well as for those wounded in military operations.
Saleem’s family feels she is lucky. Not everyone gets the help they need through social media.
Iraqi army Captain Salar al-Jaff was shot in January 2017, during the fight to recapture the city of Mosul from Islamic State. The bullet hit him in the head and left him paralyzed.
Since then, he has been treated for the head wound, but not for the paralysis. He sold his car and all his possessions to raise money for three injections a day, each costing $100, to decrease the pain.
Al-Sahan heads the only state-operated hospital for plastic surgery in Iraq. He said that about 40 percent of the monthly operations his hospital preforms — between 600 to 850 — are for victims of bombings and other war-related explosions, as well as for those wounded in military operations.
Saleem’s family feels she is lucky. Not everyone gets the help they need through social media.
Iraqi army Captain Salar al-Jaff was shot in January 2017, during the fight to recapture the city of Mosul from Islamic State. The bullet hit him in the head and left him paralyzed.
Since then, he has been treated for the head wound, but not for the paralysis. He sold his car and all his possessions to raise money for three injections a day, each costing $100, to decrease the pain.
He also appeared in a video asking for help.
But as of earlier this week, there have been no offers for free treatment
I’m Susan Shand.
The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for VOA Learning English. The editor was George Grow.
Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.
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Words in This Story
reconstructive surgery – n. an operation done on a body part to return it to a former shape or to change the way that it looks
paralyzed – adj. to be unable to move one’s body
scream – v. to make a loud cry; to shout
consciousness – n. the state of being awake and able to communicate with others
spin – v. to move around and around
boom - n. the sound made by an explosion
scary - adj. frightening
page – n. a piece of information; part of a book or other publication
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AS IT IS
Anne Frank House Museum Upgraded for a New Generation
November 27, 2018
Dutch King Willem-Alexander looks at Anne Frank's diary displayed in the new Diary Room at the renovated Anne Frank House Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Nov. 22, 2018.
The Anne Frank House Museum was built in the place where the Jewish teenager and her family hid from the Nazis in the Netherlands during World War II.
Dutch King Willem-Alexander reopened the museum after it was renovated to receive a new generation of visitors.
The museum and the small apartment where Anne wrote about her life in a diaryreceives 1.2 million visitors each year. Her diary has become the most widely-read story of the Holocaust.
Anne’s story is told through photographs, parts of her diary and video of Holocaust survivors. Now, visitors can listen to a recorded explanation of Anne’s life.
“We sometimes say that the Anne Frank House Museum is one of the only museums in the world that doesn’t have much more to offer than empty spaces,” said museum director Ronald Leopold.
He added that the audio explanation gives visitors “information without disturbingwhat I think is one of the most powerful elements of this house: its emptiness.”
A visit to the museum begins with the history of the Frank family and their escape to the Netherlands after Hitler became the leader of Nazi Germany. It also describes their decision to go into hiding on July 6, 1942.
Visitors pass through a bookcase that hid the opening to a small, secret room where Anne, her sister Margot, her father Otto, mother Edith and four other Jews hid until they were arrested by German police on August 4, 1944.
The museum also shows the government document approving the deportation of the Franks to Auschwitz concentration camp.
From Auschwitz, Anne was later sent to the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen, where she died in early 1945 at age 15. She was one of the six million Jews who lost their lives under the Nazis.
Of those that hid in the secret apartment, only Otto survived the war. Anne’s diary was returned to him by Miep Gies, a Dutch friend who had helped the Franks. Gies found the diary after the Franks were arrested.
Otto describes reading the diary in a film recording.
“I must say I was very much surprised about the deep thoughts there she had; her seriousness, especially her self-criticism. It was quite a different Anne I had known as my daughter,” he said. Since he and Anne had a close relationship, he decided that “most parents don’t know — don’t know really — their own children.”
I’m Susan Shand.
Reuters reported this story. Susan Shand adapted this story for Learning English. Mario Ritter Jr. was the editor.
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Words in This Story
museum – n. a building in which interesting and valuable things (such as paintings and sculptures or scientific or historical objects) are collected and shown to the public
apartment – n. a rented room or set of rooms that is part of a building and is used as a place to live
renovate – v. to make changes and repairs to (an old house, building, room, etc.) so that it is back in good condition
diary – n. a book in which you write down your personal experiences and thoughts each day
audio –adj. related to sound
disturbing –adj. something that stops someone from doing something or interrupts them
concentration –adj. related to a large number of people in one place
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AS IT IS
Ancient Sea Creatures Found Off Coast of Angola
November 27, 2018
Millions of years ago, many large, strange-looking sea creatures lived in what is now the South Atlantic Ocean. A museum in Washington, D.C., is giving visitors a chance to learn about these ancient animals.
Scientists say the continents of South America and Africa separated millions of years ago. As this happened, they say, many kinds of dangerous animals and other lifeforms settled in the newly formed body of water off the coast of Angola.
Today, scientists are studying ancient animal remains discovered on the Angolan coast. It is part of a project created by an international team of researchers called Projecto PaleoAngola. The researchers come from Angola, Portugal, The Netherlands and the United States.
One U.S. researcher involved with the project is Louis Jacobs of Southern Methodist University, or SMU, in Dallas, Texas. He told VOA that scientists knew there would be remains in the area, but “didn't know how good they would be.”
Jacobs and a team of scientists and students at SMU helped prepare the remains to be shown at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
He said visitors to the museum can see the similarity between the ancient and modern ocean environment and animals.
Michael Polcyn is another researcher at SMU. He says one ancient fish-eating animal had a long nose and teeth similar to that of a dolphin. He notes that visitors can see the remains of large, fierce animals like the mosasaur, as well as gentler creatures like an ancient giant sea turtle.
"We have a snapshot of this moment in time 72 million years ago that has preservedall of these animals that were living together in one place."
Scientists say a large rock from space hit the earth millions of years ago and killed most of the animals.
I’m Jonathan Evans.
Julie Taboh reported this story for the Reuters news service. Jonathan Evans adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.
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Words in This Story
giant – adj. very large
museum – n. a building in which interesting and valuable things such as paintings and sculptures or scientific or historical objects are collected and shown to the public
preserved – v. kept in its original state or in good condition
snapshot – n. a quick view or a small amount of information that tells you a little about what someone or something is like
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AS IT IS
Russia: Ukraine's Martial Law Could Lead to Hostilities
November 27, 2018
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting in Moscow's Kremlin, Russia, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018.
Russia says Ukraine’s decision to declare martial law could lead to hostilities in eastern Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel by telephone Tuesday. He warned Ukraine against carrying out what he called any “reckless acts.”
His comments came two days after Russian forces seized three Ukrainian ships and their crews in the Black Sea.
Ukraine’s parliament voted on Monday to approve martial law in 10 of 27 regions, or administrative areas, for 30 days.
The declaration is to take effect on Wednesday. The order would give the military increased powers. It comes as Ukrainians prepare for presidential and parliamentary elections next year.
The crisis started when Russian forces fired on two Ukrainian naval ships and struck a tugboat in the Kerch Strait on Sunday. The waterway separates Russia from the Crimean Peninsula.
Russian forces seized the ships, the boat and their crews. Russia has accused them of illegally entering its waters.
Ukrainian officials say at least six of the sailors were injured. President Petro Poroshenko has demanded the immediate release of the ships and their crews. He also said that there is, in his words, an “extremely serious” threat of a land invasion.
Seizure denounced
The United States and other countries have strongly criticized Russia for its actions in the Kerch Strait. The waterway connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the Russian seizure of the Ukrainian ships “a dangerous escalation and a violation of international law.” He called on both sides to ease tensions.
At the United Nations, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley called the Russian action a “violation of sovereign Ukrainian territory.”
The U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting on the issue. Most Council members condemned the increased tensions, also calling for the release of both the sailors and ships.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukraine of violating international rules. He said it was using “dangerous methods that created threats and risks for the normal movement of ships in the area.”
Shared waters
The Kerch Strait is shared territory under a treaty between the two countries. The two Ukrainian naval ships and the tugboat were trying to travel from the port of Odessa to Mariupol in the Sea of Azov.
However, a Russian ship blocked their passage, took control of the ships and seized the crews.
Russia said that the Ukrainians were violating its waters and Ukraine had not informed Russian officials of its naval movements.
Ukraine denies this.
It is the latest incident since Russian forces took the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. At the time, the Russia government said the area’s ethnic Russian majority was under threat. Pro-Russian forces have also been fighting Ukrainian forces in the eastern part of the country, although tensions had eased recently.
I’m Mario Ritter Jr.
Margaret Besheer reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.
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Words in This Story
martial –adj. related to war or soldiers
reckless –adj. not showing proper concern about the possible bad results of one’s actions
escalation –n. a situation that is becoming worse or more severe
sovereign –adj. describing something that has independent authority or the right to govern itself
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