Written by: Lauren Anders Brown, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
I’ve captured content worldwide, in over forty countries, and as of today have travelled to 88. Those numbers do not reflect the repeat visits I’ve made to some countries where there was a much bigger need and more to uncover and capture. There are some places I’ve been where once I crossed the border to leave I never knew if I’d make it back because their country was in such a crisis and in some instances, it has only gotten worse.
Image of the Artibonite Valley in Haiti
Bangladesh
Years visited: 2017-2019
The dates above should have included January 2024, but the instability of the upcoming elections that trip has now been postponed. As Bangladesh prepares for its upcoming elections, the country grapples with significant political turmoil and instability. Tensions have escalated between the ruling party and opposition groups, leading to widespread protests, strikes, and unrest across various regions. The polarization in political ideologies and allegations of electoral irregularities have exacerbated the situation, raising concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process. This political uncertainty has adversely affected the country's socio-economic stability, deterring foreign investment, disrupting daily life, and impeding progress towards development initiatives. Moreover, the volatile atmosphere poses challenges for maintaining peace and security, impacting the overall well-being of the nation as it navigates through this critical juncture in its democratic journey.
Lebanon
Years visited: 2018-2019
When people ask if I could go to any one place in the world, I say Lebanon. I last flew into the country during the first week of the revolution in October 2019. As I sat on the plane, my sensible Lebanese friend messaged to tell me not to come. Too late. Despite my anxiety around it, I was really glad I went to witness what a peaceful revolution can be. Lebanon continues to grapple with multifaceted instability, posing severe challenges to its socio-economic and political landscape. The country faces a dire economic crisis, marked by hyperinflation, a plummeting currency, and widespread unemployment, exacerbating poverty levels and pushing many into financial hardship. Political gridlock and a lack of effective governance have hindered efforts to implement essential reforms, aggravating public frustration and anger towards the ruling elite. Furthermore, the devastating aftermath of the Beirut port explosion in 2020, coupled with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, has strained the country's healthcare system and compounded its woes. Social discontent, sporadic protests, and occasional outbreaks of violence underscore the prevailing disillusionment among citizens, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive structural reforms and stable governance to address Lebanon's myriad challenges.
South Sudan
Years visited: 2018-2019
One of the few places in the world where I’ve been dropped off on dirt tarmacs without further instructions of where I was going or who I was meant to be meeting, it seems that disorder is found throughout the world’s youngest country. South Sudan grapples with a multitude of formidable challenges that impede its progress towards stability and development. The country has been marred by decades of conflict, leading to widespread violence, displacement, and humanitarian crises. Persistent ethnic tensions and political rivalries contribute to ongoing conflicts and hinder the establishment of sustainable peace. These conflicts have severely disrupted basic services, including healthcare and education, exacerbating poverty and food insecurity. Moreover, South Sudan faces economic hardship exacerbated by low oil prices, corruption, and inadequate infrastructure. The lack of effective governance structures and the struggle to build institutions further exacerbate these difficulties, hindering the country's ability to recover and rebuild. Despite efforts by the international community and local initiatives, South Sudan continues to grapple with these complex challenges, necessitating concerted efforts to foster lasting peace, promote reconciliation, and address the fundamental needs of its people.
Haiti
Years visited: 2014-2019
This hurts my heart the most. My last trip to Haiti was rescheduled three or four times before I made it there my last time in 2019. Things had always been difficult for the country, and this was especially present in the capital Port-au-Prince. I was once tear-gassed from inside the barbed wire compound walls of a Port-au-Prince hotel just before Carnevale. Carnevale is one of the few times Haitians feel joy, and because things were becoming so intense and the outgoing leader was stepping down he canceled it. Since then, political instability, longstanding governance problems, and economic fragility have perpetuated a cycle of poverty and social unrest. Corruption within institutions, weak governance structures, and a history of political turmoil have hindered the country's ability to address fundamental needs such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Even the hospital staff where I worked send daily messages to others outside the country that they fear going anywhere without the risk of being held for ransom or, worse losing their lives.
Natural disasters, including hurricanes and earthquakes, have repeatedly devastated the nation, exacerbating the already precarious living conditions for many Haitians. The recent assassination of the country's president further destabilized the political landscape, leading to increased uncertainty and concerns about the rule of law.
Kreyol, the local language spoken by Haitians, is known for its proverbs, and there’s one in particular that comes to mind when writing about these no-go places- "Avan ou mache, gade." Which translates to, "Before you walk, look." While we all want to spend time looking at the places we want to visit in this world, we shouldn’t ignore the places we don’t want to visit or are unable to visit. I’ll keep looking out for these no-go places in the hopes that one day I’ll be able to go and walk there again.
If you’re interested in learning more about the places I visited within these countries, here are some links to look at: Bangladesh, Lebanon, South Sudan, and Haiti.
Lauren Anders Brown, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Lauren Anders Brown is an award-winning documentary storyteller who uses film, photography, audio, and her writing to focus on issues of global health and human rights. She has captured content in over forty countries, including conflict zones, in order to amplify the voices of others and especially women. She produces work through her own production company colLABorate: ideas and images, works as a consultant for the United Nations, and is Creative Director of the e-learning startup Gamoteca. She is a true artivist: an artist who uses any and all of her available platforms to creatively advocate for human rights.
