This year's Venice film festival presented a documentary about the work of Italian humanitarian organization Emergency, entitled 'Beyond the Beach: The hope and the hell.' In it, Emergency's founder, Gino Strada spoke out about the unprecedented levels of hatred in society.
Gino Strada is a household name in Italy. As a surgeon he worked around the world, for years offering his services to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in conflict zones and developing countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Peru, Ethiopia, Bosnia and Somalia. In 1994 he co-founded the humanitarian organization Emergency to bring help to civillians affected by war and poverty.
Since its first mission in Rwanda, Emergency has offered help in 18 countries to millions of people. Strada regularly speaks out about issues close to the work of his organization, including the treatment of migrants. Since 2006, Emergency has also offered services within Italy, such as running mobile clinics and health services. It has also worked in earthquake disaster zones in Italy.
On September 3, Strada spoke at the premiere of the documentary film
'Beyond the Beach: The Hell and the Hope' by Graeme A. Scott and Buddy Squires. The film focuses on Emergency's work in the field of migration around the Mediterranean.
"I do not remember having seen another time when there was so much social hatred, contempt for those [lower down in society]," Strada said. "A poor man is seen almost as if he were the cause of problems for others. There is a great deal of anger and malice."