Neil Sorensen joined the Land Portal as its Communications Specialist in October 2015. He has extensive experience leading communications for international organizations and developing relationships with civil society, donors, intergovernmental agencies, the media and the private sector. Previously, Neil worked for the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) as a Governing Bodies Officer and Strategic Adviser to the Secretary of IFAD. He has also led communications for three international organizations, including the International Land Coalition, the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). He holds a Master’s degree in Global Diplomacy from the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) as well as a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in German and Sociology from St. Cloud State University.
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Illegal loggers uncowed by coronavirus as deforestation rises in Brazil
Destruction in Brazil’s portion of the Amazon rose 30% in March, compared to the same month a year ago, according to the country’s space research agency, INPE.
In the first three months of the year, Amazon deforestation was up 51% from a year ago to 796 square kilometers (307 square miles), an area roughly the size of New York City.
Land conflicts escalate with spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia
JAKARTA — Two people have died in a series of land disputes between major companies and rural communities in Indonesia.
Activists have denounced the escalation in the conflicts, saying businesses shouldn’t be taking advantage of the country’s focus on dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic to further their own — often illegal — interests.
Land seizures and COVID-19: the twin threats to Brazil’s indigenous peoples
As indigenous groups lock down in villages, trespassers are taking advantage of their absence to steal their land
By Richard Pearshouse, Amnesty International’s head of crisis and the environment, and Jurema Werneck, executive director of Amnesty International Brazil
How the Corona Crisis is Calling Into Question the "Right of the City”
In late March, Indian Premier Narendra Modi imposed a three-week lockdown to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus. Since then, tens of thousands of migrant workers who had previously provided cheap labour in wealthy homes or on construction sites in the nation’s growing metropolises have been making their way back to their rural home regions.
COVID-19, the Land Administration Sector and Spatial Information
By Rohan Bennett, Eva-Maria Unger, Christiaan Lemmen, Kees de Zeeuw
By now, most readers are likely to have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic – perhaps directly through their own health or the health of those they know, or more indirectly through loss of work or income… and almost certainly through the changes in social norms and freedoms brought about by various lockdowns. This article explores the relevance of the land administration sector, disaster risk management and spatial information in the context of the coronavirus outbreak.
Update LANDac events due to COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to turn our world upside down, and our thoughts are with everybody directly or indirectly affected by the virus. To ensure the health and safety of all of us and those around us, LANDac has made the following decisions.
LANDac 10-year anniversary
Covid-19 pandemic exposes housing, food, water and sanitation problems in Nepal
The government authorities seem content that people are obeying the lockdown regulations which keep on changing at the local level. The authorities believe that there is a positive correlation between the lockdown on the streets and public safety from the spread of the virus: the stricter the lockdown, the safer the population.
Secure Land Rights Critical for Asia’s Rural Communities Threatened by COVID-19
Land rights as human rights is facing new challenges in the time of COVID-19 and securing land rights mean resilience for rural communities in Asia in the face of the pandemic.
Gambia: My Thoughts On Supporting Rural Women During COVID-19, Using a Gender Lens
Governments all over are asking people to stay at home, and The Gambia is no exception. Whilst this is to curb movements to limit the transmission of COVID-19, these steps can have unintended consequences for the poorest & most vulnerable.