logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2023
24m 3s

How humanitarian crises are exploited on...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

We investigate the money-making schemes that spring up on platforms like TikTok in the wake of conflict.

First - the war in Ukraine saw a wave of donations from ordinary citizens around the world. But as we discover, scammers have joined the fray, exploiting emotive content in a bid to siphon cash from the catastrophe.

And second - TikTok livestreams featuring Syrian refugees pleading for help are generating big money from sympathetic viewers online. We find out where most of the funds actually end up. Reporter: Hannah Gelbart Editor: Flora Carmichael

Up next
Jun 2024
Trending is moving to the Documentary Podcast
BBC Trending's podcast feed is closing, but we'll be publishing new episodes in the BBC World Service's Documentary Podcast from now on. Search for The Documentary wherever you get your BBC podcasts, and subscribe to get new episodes of BBC Trending along with a range of exciting ... Show More
43s
Jun 2024
Colombia’s guerrilla recruitment video problem
Fighters from dissident armed groups in Colombia are using TikTok to glorify their lives as guerrillas and recruit youngsters.These armed groups didn't like the terms of a peace treaty negotiated between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the government in 2016 ... Show More
18m 6s
Jun 2024
The Kenyan influencer championing climate denial
Jusper Machogu is a farmer from southwestern Kenya who describes himself as a “climate sceptic”: he wrongly claims that climate change is a “scam” or a “hoax” designed to hold Africa back. On social media, he has also become known as a staunch defender of fossil fuel exploration ... Show More
18m 7s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2022
Great Britain’s migrant crisis
<p>A week of dizzying diplomatic meetings seeking to de-escalate tensions with Russia kicks off today in Moscow and Washington, aid agencies call for unblocking of cash flows to Afghanistan as the humanitarian crisis deepens. Plus, the FT’s Anna Gross takes us inside a French ref ... Show More
9m 32s
Dec 2023
The humanitarian crisis worsens in Gaza
<p>Moody’s Investors Service advised staff in China to work from home ahead of its cut to the outlook for the country’s sovereign credit rating, Palestinians in Gaza are running out of places to evacuate to, and oil prices have fallen to their lowest level in five months. Plus, t ... Show More
9m 48s
Feb 2023
Syrian refugees in Turkey face rising hostility
<p>The earthquake in Turkey has worsened the plight of Syrian refugees who already face rising hostility, YouTube has rolled out a revenue sharing scheme to lure new content creators away from rival TikTok, and dark horse candidate Kazuo Ueda has upset expectations for the next B ... Show More
9m 36s
Oct 2023
Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
Cut off from water and power and recovering from a communications blackout, Gaza is plunged deeper into crisis. It’s not just a humanitarian problem, says leading human rights attorney Kenneth Roth — it’s a violation of international law. This episode was produced by Haleema Shah ... Show More
28m 1s
Jan 2021
The Newscast Sea Shanty
Sea shanties are flooding social media, so we wrote our own for Newscast. More than four million people have now had Covid vaccines - but why is the rollout 'lumpy'? Laura Kuenssberg and Hugh Pym give us the latest. We also hear from Moscow, where President Putin's fiercest criti ... Show More
34m 36s
Jul 2023
Sudan power struggle risks turning into civil war
<p>The Sudanese people are being held hostage by warring generals in a power struggle that has already lasted 100 days. With no solution in sight, the fighting risks drawing in outside actors like Russia’s Wagner group and destabilising neighbouring countries. David Pilling, the ... Show More
23m 23s
Mar 2024
Reddit hits the road ahead of IPO
<p>Reddit’s public offering could set the tone for start-ups looking to list in 2024, and the EU wants to give Ukraine up to €3bn. Plus, there are new plans to deliver aid to Gaza to help the enclave avoid famine.&nbsp;</p><br><p><strong>Mentioned in this podcast:</strong></p><p> ... Show More
10m 50s