BBC Radio 4 – From our own correspondent, Civilians under siege in Sudan

Kate Adie introduces stories from Sudan, Calabria in southern Italy, Japan, the Californian city of Oakland and Tbilisi in Georgia.

Sudan’s war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has torn the country apart for more than 500 days. Civilians bear the brunt of the suffering, as aid agencies in many areas have blocked their access. Leila Molana Allen has seen Sudanese volunteers bring food and medicine to communities now filled with hungry, displaced and often traumatized people.

The Calabrian countryside in southern Italy may look like a rural idyll. But much of its fertile farmland has been invaded by the local mafia network known as the Ndrangheta. Francisco Garcia met and spoke with farmers who are fighting back against organized crime groups that want to interfere.

Japan is seeing record numbers of abandoned homes, or akiyas. More than 9 million homes are empty as the population ages and shrinks and younger people move to the cities. Particularly in rural areas, many heirs are unwilling to shoulder the costs of gutting, demolishing or rebuilding old family homes. Shaimaa Khalil stepped inside a few historic properties that are now being restored by their new owners.

The Northern California city of Oakland once had a reputation for political militancy and cultural ingenuity. Today it is known for bitter disputes over gentrification, homelessness and public fears about crime. Lindsay Johns recently visited the city across the bay from San Francisco with one of its most famous sons, author Ishmael Reed.

And in the shadow of the Caucasus Mountains, Beth Timmins attends not one but three Georgian weddings – occasions filled with heritage, music, poetry and toasts of big, red wine.
Producer: Polly Hope
Editor: Tom Bigwood

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