July 26, 2013

EDITORIAL

Perhaps we need to change the point of reference
by Pablo Gonzalez

Are we not doing more harm than good by promoting 

a framework that is conceived around the Disaster? Should we not lower the threshold from Disaster to Development Objectives? ... Read more





What happened this week?

New Brunswick tornado had winds ranging from 135 to 175 km/h

Environment Canada says winds in a tornado that touched down in the Grand Lake-area of New Brunswick on Saturday moved at speeds of between 135 to 175 kilometres per hour... Read more

Dengue outbreak has killed 26 in Central America

TEGUCIGALPA, July 25, 2013 (AFP) - An unusually potent outbreak of dengue fever has killed 26 people and infected nearly 40,000 more so far this year in Central America, where the mosquito-born illness is endemic... Read more

Interesting Facts

Disaster Preparedness Kit
When preparing a disaster preparedness kit, first plan for the essentials for survival. Think practical first, and think comfortable second... Read more

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Preventing Earthquake Damage
Engineers are confident they can design structures that can withstand earthquakes in New Zealand, the U.S. and other places with similar geotechnical challenges. But first, engineers need to know more about the soil in each area.... Read more

July 19, 2013

What happened this week?

Drought will increase if Iowa sees no rain this weekend, meteorologist says

If rain does not fall on the state this weekend, Iowans will see an increase in drought conditions across the state, a National Weather Service meteorologist says.... Read more

Interesting Facts

IOM Compendium on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Highlights Growing Impacts on Human Mobility
IOM’s second Compendium on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience launched today (16/7/13) in Geneva provides for the first time an in-depth analysis of the interaction between disasters and mobility; spells out the fundamental role that human mobility plays in shaping resilience; and indicates the causes of vulnerability for communities at risk... Read more

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

CDB providing grants for community-based disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation projects
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has launched a USD 23.5 million dollar fund which will provide grants to vulnerable communities for community-based disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation demonstration projects in all of CDB’s Borrowing Member Countries except Haiti... Read more

Central Emergency Response Fund provides an unprecedented $172 million to neglected emergencies in 2013
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, today announced the allocation of some US$72 million for humanitarian work in neglected crises in twelve countries around the world. These allocations include $3.5 million for Colombia, and $1.5 million in Haiti... Read more

Dunes, reefs protect US coasts from climate change
As climate change brings higher sea levels, can sand dunes and coral reefs really protect U.S. coastlines? Yes, indeed, they help defend 67% of them, says a new study by Stanford scientists... Read more

July 12, 2013

What happened this week?

Chantal Weakens to Tropical Wave
The only reported fatality was that of Juan Ramon Rodriguez, a 26-year-old Dominican firefighter, in the community of Maimon, about 50 miles (85 kilometers) north of the capital of Santo Domingo... Read more


60,000 evacuated due to floods in Paraguay
Paraguayan authorities reported that about 60,000 people were evacuated due to the floods produced by the overflow of the Panama and Paraguay rivers... Read more



Interesting Facts

Earthquakes Fast Facts

(CNN) -- Here's what you need to know about earthquakes worldwide... Read more

U.S. earthquake increase tied to disposal well boom
An increasing number of small quakes near deep wastewater wells, used to dispose of industrial fluids used in the "fracking" boom, is raising questions about their use... Read more

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Online climate risk assessment tool for the Caribbean
BELMOPAN, Belize — The Belize-based Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) says it will launch a seminal on-line support tool in St Lucia on Friday in keeping with the thrust to promote a culture of risk management across the region... Read more