July 8, 2016

EDITORIAL

Multilateral Disaster Assistance in the Americas: A simple paradox

The Inter-American Convention to Facilitate Disaster Assistance is the only legally binding multilateral treaty in the world in matters of disaster assistance. Signed on June 7^th, 1991, in Santiago de Chile, at the 21^st Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States, the Convention entered into force in 1996 with its second ratification, by Peru. Yet, more than 25 years after its adoption, only a total of six countries have ratified the Convention: Panama, Peru, Uruguay, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Colombia, the last one in 2013. In the meantime, the international humanitarian community and states all around the Americas and beyond continue to call for a set of rules that all can obey and can help them –assisted and assisting states, optimize their resources and coordinate their efforts, so that they can maximize the international assistance and reduce the burden of unsolicited one. Theories, conspiracy theories and others, explaining the low level of ratification are in abundance. Yet again, no one seems to have the key to its full ratification and implementation... Read more

What happened this week?

Costa Rica. Earthquake affects 20 people and damages 8 homes: A 5.1 magnitude earthquake that occurred on July 2, 2016 has caused landslides that have affected roads and damaged eight homes; structural assessments are currently ongoing as well as landslides assessments and the recovery of roads affected. An estimated 20-25 people were affected by the earthquake and are staying with families as no shelters have opened. Water and electricity were restored... Read more

Venezuela: The communities surrounding El Gamero and La Manga del Rio affected by flooding: Floods occurred in some sectors of Guasdualito in the municipality of Páez in the state of Apure on July 3rd. Floods are from the aftermath of the recent rainfall that caused the spate of the Sarare and Arauca rivers. Residents of the affected communities contacted authorities for assistance... Read more

Interesting Facts

Researcher helps break ground on forecasting earthquakes. Researchers are breaking ground on the complexity of earthquakes and the possibility to forecast them... Read more

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Canada, Mexico and USA announce ambitious plans to fight climate change and cooperate on disaster risk reduction. 

The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mr. Robert Glasser, today hailed as “a major breakthrough” the announcement by Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, Canada, President Barack Obama, USA; and President Enrique Peña Nieto, Mexico, that they will take sweeping action to achieve 50% clean power generation by 2025 and cooperate on reducing disaster risk... Read more