From Taiwan to Texas: 2023 Stories You May Have Missed

Country:

Taiwan Ukraine United states

Author:

Katherine Jossi
Pulitzer Center Staff

Kulas Umo prepares for an Amis traditional healing ceremony.

English

In Taiwan, a major health crisis persists—Indigenous people suffer from health disparities and a...

Brendan Ross
2022 Reporting Fellow

READ MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT

A view of Fata’an village, Taiwan, from behind, looking toward the central mountains. — A view of Fata’an village from behind, looking toward the central mountains. The Indigenous villagers believe their ancestors descended from these mountains to settle on the plains where villagers have lived for generations. Image by Nathaniel Brown. Taiwan, 2022.

In Case You Missed It

As 2023 comes to a close, we wanted to share some stories you may have missed during another eventful year. In more than 10 languages and across at least 100 countries, we supported 240 reporting projects this past year on such issues as rent control in the United States, seaweed harvesters in India, and gender equality in South Korea. Among all these stories, we pause to reflect on a few highlights:

Brendan Ross, a 2022 Reporting Fellow, wrote in The Washington Post about Indigenous Taiwanese tribes maintaining traditional medicinal practices. While honoring their past, they also address the lack of modern health care. His reporting looks at efforts within these tribes to teach the methods of spiritual healers to the younger generation.

On Texas Public Radio, grantee Carolina Cueller looked at the challenging history of colonias, clusters of unregulated settlements along the U.S.-Mexico border, and the problems these communities still face today. Cueller’s reporting explores various issues facing the colonias, from unsafe drinking water, challenging deeds that often trap families in risky home ownership, and the threat of climate change. Her project also looks at recent legislation designed to improve living conditions in colonias and the symbol of hope that these communities represent.

For Undark, photojournalist and grantee Kern Hendricks documented the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on Ukrainian farmers and the country’s agricultural sector. Hendricks explores the war's ripple effects and how the destruction of the food supply goes beyond borders. The conflict has deeply affected Ukraine's role as a key player in global grain and wheat export.

From our Year in Stories, which includes 40 staff-picked favorite stories, to our Year in Photos, which includes 51 images highlighting significant moments of the year, you can explore more from the Pulitzer Center's year in review.

We are grateful you are a part of the Pulitzer Center community. Your support helps make our work possible. Please consider donating today to help us continue making it a reality.

Wishing you and your loved ones a healthy and happy New Year!

Best,

Impact

In November 2023, Pulitzer Center grantee Nick Turse completed his investigation for The Intercept on a U.S. drone strike in Somalia in 2018. The U.S. military announced that the attack killed five “terrorists.” In reality, the death toll of the strike included at least two civilians: a 22-year-old woman and her 4-year-old daughter.

Now, two dozen human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, are calling on U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to “take immediate steps to address the requests of families whose loved ones were killed or injured by U.S. airstrikes in Somalia,” according to their open letter.