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Blood, Sweat and Tears

Ghouta's agony is felt in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley refugee camps; how the European migrant trail looks now; unqualified doctors unite in India and Colombian drug cartels diversify

Pascale Harter introduces stories of suffering and survival from writers and reporters around the world.

As the Syrian government's push to retake Eastern Ghouta gathers force, its casualties' pain is felt across the border in Lebanon too. Yolande Knell reports from a camp in the Bekaa Valley sheltering many refugees from Ghouta who still follow daily reports of the bombing and shelling which their friends and family who are still in the enclave are trying to survive.

In Serbia, Richard Hall retraces his steps along the so-called "migrant trail" through southeastern Europe, which saw such a surge of humanity during the mass movements of 2015. Three years later, governments along the way have closed their doors and done deals to stop illegal entry - yet there are still people trying their luck and hoping to enter the EU, and running serious risks along the way.

Krupa Padhy has a thought-provoking meeting in Uttar Pradesh, northern India - with an entirely unqualified 'doctor' who despite having no medical degree, is highly valued and much consulted by local patients who say they can't rely on government healthcare.

And Mathew Charles spends a twitchy night out in Colombia - in the company of a drug cartel killer and dealer who explains how the country's gangs are diversifying their sources of income. Mexican cartels now dominate the international cocaine trade, so in Colombia the money's now found in trafficking to local customers, as well as kidnap and extortion.

Photo: A Syrian child stands at the entrance of his tent at a refugee camp near Zahle in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley on January 26, 2018. (JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)

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23 minutes

Last on

Sun 11 Mar 2018 10:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 10 Mar 2018 00:06GMT
  • Sat 10 Mar 2018 03:06GMT
  • Sun 11 Mar 2018 03:06GMT
  • Sun 11 Mar 2018 10:06GMT