Thomas Brand

How Do You Run a Special Needs Camp? With a Lot of Help.

Last week, the first campers arrived at Camp Blessing in Brenham, Texas, to careen down a zipline, wobble in kayaks, glue objects to construction paper, and strut their stuff in a talent show. That they came at all was no small feat. Six years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Camp Blessing, which s

Gender Alert No. 1 - Philippines: 7.8 Magnitude Sarangani Earthquake (As of 12 June 2026)

. On 8 June, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake along the Cotabato Trench with a depth of 33 km occurred 32 km offshore west of Maasim, Sarangani province, Mindanao at 7:37 AM local time. Under the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Earthquake Intensity Scale, the highest reported

UNHCR-IOM Pakistan Flash update # 97 on Arrest and Detention/Flow Monitoring, 15 Sep 2023 to 6 Jun 2026

Countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan . INTRODUCTION In response to the Ministry of Interior's (MoI) decision of 26 September 2023 to enact an “Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan”, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and IOM, the UN Migration Agency, have collated their data on the arrest, detention, and dep

Myanmar: Kler Lwee Htoo District Situation Update: Burma Army attacks caused death, injuries, property damage, displacement, and challenges to villagers’ daily routine in Moo Township (February to May 2025)

. This Situation Update describes events occurring in Moo (Mone) Township, Kler Lwee Htoo (Nyaunglibin) District, during the period between February and May 2025. On 18 February 2025, Burma Army Infantry Battalion (IB) #73 from Zayatgyi Town fired two howitzer shells into Kl--- village, Nyaung Pin T

The Woman at the Well (TGC Classic)

In this TGC Classic message recorded at our 2019 National Conference, H. B. Charles preaches on Jesus’s conversation with the Samaritan woman, the longest recorded dialogue with Jesus. Charles emphasizes this episode’s placement after Jesus’s discussion with Nicodemus and how it demonstrates Jesus’s

Did the Father Really Forsake the Son?

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The cry of dereliction is one of the deepest and most controversial verses in the Scriptures. What does it mean? And what happened to the Trinity at the cry? Christ’s forsakenness was not just poetic language, and so it raises profound challenges for our u

Amended sacrilege law is a new reality for believers in Punjab State

India (MNN) — New legislation in India’s Punjab State has Christians concerned that persecution against them will increase. Punjab’s population is majority Sikh, a monotheistic religion that reveres its holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. A recent amendment to Punjab's sacrilege law has increased

Three key challenges facing the church in Laos

Laos (MNN) — The Church in Laos faces three major challenges: animistic beliefs, government restrictions, and a predominantly Buddhist culture. In rural Laos, animistic beliefs often shape how communities respond to new Christians. Todd Nettleton of Voice of the Martyrs USA says some villagers fear

UNICEF Sri Lanka Humanitarian Situation Report No. 13 (Cyclone Ditwah), 11 June 2026

. Highlights Over 2.2 million people were exposed to cyclone Ditwah across 22 of the country’s 25 districts, causing more than USD 2 billion in damages and USD 1.4 billion in losses. As of 17 April 2026, DMC reported that 1,404 people were residing in 20 safety centres, while 150,329 displaced perso

GIEWS Country Brief: The Republic of Benin 10-June-2026

. FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT Planting of 2026 cereal crops underway Cereal output in 2025 estimated at above‑average level Prices of cereals below year‑earlier values in April 2026 About 201 000 people acutely food insecure during 2026 lean season Planting of 2026 cereal crops underway In southern and c

Syria: Humanitarian Situation Monitoring (HSM), May 2026 [EN/AR]

. KEY MESSAGES • The economic pressures observed in March continued to intensify, emerging as a key underlying driver of the most frequently reported needs. Rising prices and the depreciation of the Syrian Pound relative to the US Dollar further reduced households’ ability to afford food, healthcare

Iraq: From Empowerment to Leadership: New Opportunities for Rural Women and Farmers in Karbala

. Karbala, 10 June 2026 Under the patronage of H.E. Abdul Rahim Jassim Al-Shammari, Minister of Agriculture, and H.E. Eng. Nassif Jassim Al-Khattabi, Governor of Karbala, and as part of its efforts to support agricultural production and strengthen the resilience of rural communities to climaterelate

UNICEF Nigeria Humanitarian Flash Update (Cholera Outbreak, Borno State), 07 June 2026

. Highlights Cumulatively, from 1 May – 7 June 2026, the Borno State Ministry of Health’s Cholera Emergency Operations Center (EOC) reports 8,457 Cholera cases and 85 deaths (53 facility-based and 32 community deaths) have been reported, with an overall Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 1.05 per cent. Aff

oPt: Palestine: Site Management Cluster Guidance Note - Site Typologies (Version No. 2, 16 April 2026)

. This guidance note establishes a harmonized set of terminology for describing collective displacement sites in Gaza, for use by site management actors, clusters, and coordination bodies. It defines the main existing site types - collective centres and makeshift open-air sites - as well as providin

oPt: Palestine: Site Management Cluster Guidance note - Core Activities for Site Management Agencies (Version No. 2.1, 15 April 2026)

. This guidance note provides site management partners with a clear framework for designing and implementing core site management activities in Gaza's displacement sites. It defines the minimum set of activities expected of any organization designated as a Site Management Agency (SMA) under the SMC

IRQ: Epidemic - 05-2026 - Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Iraq/IRCS (2026-06-11)

. Description Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) remains a significant public health concern in Iraq during the 2026 seasonal transmission period. The disease, which is endemic in the country, is primarily associated with exposure to infected ticks, direct contact with infected livestock, and ha

Philippines: PHL: Earthquake - 06-2026 - 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake in Maasim, Sarangani #3 (2026-06-11)

. Description At 7:37 AM on 8 June 2026, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck approximately 32 km south 04° west of Maasim, Sarangani, at a depth of 33 kilometers, affecting several areas in Mindanao. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) recorded the strongest ground shakin

Ukraine: Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group Time: 14:00-15:30 Date: June 03, 2026 [Meeting Minutes] [EN/UK]

. Agenda: 1. Results of the Monitoring of Women’s Rights (2022–2025) by the National Network Women’s Consortium of Ukraine 2. Key insights from the global Women Deliver conference in Naarm (Melbourne) 3. Documenting and Investigating Crimes Against LGBTIQ+ Individuals in Situations of Armed Conflict

Albania: Regionalna situacija kretanja migranata u Zapadnom Balkanu Godišnji izvještaj (Januar – Decembar 2025)

Countries: Albania, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Montenegro, Morocco, Pakistan, Serbia, Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of North Macedonia . Ovaj izvještaj pruža uvid u profile, iskustva, potrebe, rute kretanja i namjere migranata koji tranzitiraju kroz Zapadni Balkan u

World: Les déplacements forcés en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre demeurent élevés malgré l’augmentation des retours, le HCR appelle à davantage d’investissements en faveur des solutions

Countries: World, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Togo . DAKAR, 11 juin 2026 – Le HCR, l’Agence des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés, appelle à un renforcement des investiss

Philippines: DSWD DROMIC Report #8 on the Effects of Mw 7.8 Earthquake Incident in Maasim, Sarangani as of 12 June 2026, 6AM

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Philippines: Mayon Volcano Summary of 24Hr Observation 12 June 2026 12:00 AM [EN/TL]

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Burundi BVD Ebola preparedness - DREF Operation (MDRBI026)

. Description of the Event Date of event 21-05-2026 What happened, where and when? On 15 May 2026, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) officially declared an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (BVD) caused by the Bundibugyo strain in Ituri Province, in the northeastern part of

Zimbabwe Flood 2026 - DREF Operation Update (MDRZW027), 12 June 2026

. Description of the Event Date of event 24-01-2026 What happened, where and when? Zimbabwe faced a severe and evolving flood emergency during the 2025/26 rainfall season that lasted until March with persistent heavy rains and storm events across the country. Especially from January to February. Bet

oPt: Joint announcement on the International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine

Countries: occupied Palestinian territory, Australia, Canada, Israel, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland . We are doing so at a moment of acute crisis in Israel and Palestine. The last three years have exacted a devastating and dehumanising toll on civilians and deepened mistrust a

World: Canada announces funding to expand play-based education for children in developing countries

Countries: World, Canada . Announced on the International Day of Play and on the eve of the first FIFA World Cup 2026™ match in Canada, this investment reflects Canada’s commitment to advancing innovative approaches to education and child development through sport and play. This funding will support

DR Congo: FoBE Asbl et la MONUSCO lancent un projet pilote de réinsertion socio-économique en faveur des femmes victimes d’exploitation et d’abus sexuels au Nord-Kivu

. Soutenue par le bureau Conduite et Discipline (CDT) de la MONUSCO/Goma, cette initiative vise à apporter une réponse concrète aux défis sociaux, psychologiques et économiques auxquels sont confrontées plusieurs victimes d’exploitation et d’abus sexuels impliquant le personnel de la Mission. Ce pro

DR Congo: FoBE Association and MONUSCO Launch a Pilot Socio-Economic Reintegration Project for Women Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in North Kivu

. Supported by MONUSCO’s Conduct and Discipline Team (CDT) in Goma, the initiative aims to provide a concrete response to the social, psychological, and economic challenges faced by victims of sexual exploitation and abuse involving Mission personnel. The project seeks to restore the dignity of bene

DR Congo: Democratic Republic of Congo Key Message Update - Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes persist in conflict-affected zones despite the green harvest, May - September 2026

. Key Messages Conflict-affected areas in the east of the country are expected to remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3), with some populations in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) along frontline areas. Violence in the DRC continues unabated with ongoing clashes, despite the continued withdrawal of M23 rebels from c

Haiti Key Message Update: Erratic rainfall and persistent insecurity compromise the spring agricultural season, May - September 2026

. Key Messages Through September 2026, the combined effects of insecurity, economic disruptions, and difficulties accessing livelihoods will continue to drive high levels of acute food insecurity across the country. Most districts will remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3), while a significant portion of t

Central African Republic Key Message Update: Conflict and elevated prices are sustaining Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes, May - September 2026

. Key Messages Many areas in the northeast, southeast, and northwest will face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes from May through September, particularly in prefectures most affected by insecurity and isolation, where access to fields, income-generating opportunities, and major trade routes remain sever

Mali - Key Message Update: Food insecurity deteriorates to Emergency (IPC Phase 4) in Kidal amid severe conflict, May - September 2026

. Key Messages Following the escalation of insecurity after the coordinated attacks at the end of April, food insecurity in Kidal is expected to deteriorate from Crisis (IPC Phase 3) to Emergency (IPC Phase 4) starting in June, with a small proportion of poor and displaced households facing Catastro

Burkina Faso Key Message Update: Low incomes limit food access in the north of the country, May - September 2026

. Key Messages As of May, Crisis! (IPC Phase 3!) outcomes persist in Karo-Peli and Stressed! (IPC Phase 2!) outcomes persist in Djelgodji and Yagha. Income from water sales, artisanal gold mining, and remittances from relatives remains insufficient to finance food purchases, despite the availability

Tajikistan | Cold Wave: Early Action Protocol Annual Report (EAP No.: EAP2022TJ02 / Operation No.: MDRTJ033)

. SUMMARY OF THE EARLY ACTION PROTOCOL The IFRC The Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) has approved a total of CHF 274,969 CHF for the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan. The approved amount consists of an immediate allocation of CHF 77,227 for readiness, CHF 110,361 for prepositioning and CHF

Israeli Displacement and Killings of Civilians in Lebanon Rage On [EN/AR]

. To Save Civilians, Urgent Action is Needed Ramzi Kaiss Lebanon Researcher, Middle East and North Africa Israeli killings of civilians and displacement of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians have continued unabated, despite the declaration of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah on Apri

Inmates who escaped from a North Carolina jail captured more than 200 miles away

Trump to nominate New York attorney for national intelligence role

President Trump says peace deal with Iran ready for signing

21 Days of Prayer Underway for Christians Imprisoned in North Korea

From June 5-25, 48 churches and Christian organizations across South Korea are joining together to pray for the gospel to reunify North Korea and South Korea, and for imprisoned missionaries in North Korea to be released. Peace Korea has held 21-day prayer meetings in Seire since 2007, following Dan

DR Congo: Ebola Outbreak, DRC and Region, Situation Report #6, June 11, 2026

. FAST FACTS On May 15, the DRC officially declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD). As of June 10, 635 confirmed EVD cases and 127 confirmed EVD deaths had been reported in the DRC, with 19 confirmed cases and two confirmed deaths in Uganda. In the DRC, the outbreak remains centered in Itu