December 12, 2014

What happened this week?

Panama: Earthquake.  Earthquake 6.5 magnitude and 32 kms depth was registered in the south of Pavones in the pacific between Costa Rica and Panama. No victims or considerable damages were reported. Preventive evacuation of The Regional Hospital of David. Several aftershocks were registered with no consequences... Read More

Guatemala: Earthquake. Earthquake 5.6 magnitude. On December 7, 2014 INSIVUMEH reported that from 06:11 to 16:27 hours, fourteen telluric movements were perceived with an intensity between 3.8 to 5.6 degrees in the Richter Scale. The strongest were registered at 06:11 and 15:16 hours, both of 5.6 degrees of intensity. Local media reports one dead and some minor damages... Read More

Costa Rica: Turrialba Volcano. A new eruption at 09:30 pm on Monday. There are reports of ashfall in Desamparados, Alajuelita, San Jose centro, Zapote and Tres Ríos. Also, people in these communities reported a stronfg sulfur smell. Authorities are on alert in the event of ash level rise... Read More

Peru: Floods. Floods from December 7 Mojon, Amazonas department has a total of 93 people and 22 homes affected... Read More

Powerful 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Argentina. The quake was very deep, at over 100 miles below the surface and struck in a remote mountainous region near the borders with Chile and Bolivia... Read More

Interesting Facts

U.S. tornado numbers among lowest in recorded history in 2014. At least 400 fewer tornadoes than average have touched down in the U.S. this year, making it one of the quietest years on record for twisters, according to the National Weather Service (NWS)... Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Central America: Drought: About two and a half million people in Central America are being affected by drought. Food security conditions might be worsening in the coming months once food stocks have exhausted. The UN system has mobilized financial resources and coordinates, together with the countries plans for emergency response... Read More

Pushing for Gender Equity at COP20: A group of activists tracking the inclusion of gender in the U.N. climate negotiations at Lima’s COP20... Read More 

December 5, 2014

OAS Hosts Hemispheric Dialogue on Disaster Risk Management and Adaptation to Climate Change

OAS Headquarters

25-26 November 2014

The Organization of American States (OAS) hosted at its headquarters in Washington DC, the Third Hemispheric Meeting of the Inter-American Network for Disaster Mitigation (INDM), gathered under the theme “Integrating Disaster Risk Management and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Development Agenda,” with the objective of sharing among member states experiences and practices to address the impact of natural phenomena and other types of emergencies.

The event, coordinated by the Department of Sustainable Development of the OAS, looks to promote opportunities for horizontal cooperation and greater collaboration between OAS member states and the agencies of the Inter-American System and that of the United Nations. The debates were divided in three discussion panels, made up of various specialists on the management, mitigation and prevention of risks, especially those associated with natural phenomena... Read more  Leer más  

The complete video of the event is available at https://www.youtube.com/user/OASVideos/videos

Inter-American Committee on Natural Disaster Reduction Divides Tasks among Members in Meeting at the OAS

The Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, today presided over a meeting of the Inter-American Committee on Natural Disaster Reduction (IACNDR), on behalf of the Chair of the Committee and Secretary General of the OAS, José Miguel Insulza, at which members established a new division of labor.

The members of the Committee signed an Aide Memoire in which they reaffirmed their commitment to the body, as the main forum of the Inter-American System for the development of a strategic approach and coordinated action in matters of disaster risk management... Read more  Leer más  

OAS Hosts Regional Consultation of United Nations System “Toward the Global Humanitarian Summit”

The Organization of American States (OAS) today hosted at its headquarters in Washington DC, a regional consultation of the United Nations system under the title “Toward the Global Humanitarian Summit,” as part of the preparatory process for the Summit that will be held in 2016 in Turkey, which seeks to strengthen capacity and coordination of the international mechanisms for humanitarian assistance... Read more  Leer más  

What happened this week?

Guatemala. Overflow from the Chixoy River wreaked havoc in three villages in Ixcán; 685 people were evacuated, 555 remain sheltered in schools and the rest with relatives or neighbors... Read More

Honduras, Sonaguera, Colón. A landslide causes interruption of vehicular traffic for six days, and is preventing the entry of food and supplies to the area. There are currently no reports of difficulties in healthcare or injuries... Read More

Brasil, Acre State. Floods. The Ministry of National Integration declared a state of public calamity in Tarauacá because of the floods that have hit the city. Since November 20, the city has been in emergency situation because the level of the Tarauacá river has risen to 11.38 meters almost three meters above the warning level due to heavy rainfall affecting the city... Read More

Perú, Department of San Martin. Floods. This morning, following heavy rainfall, the Simacache river overflowed, affecting homes in the town of Nuevo Chimbote, Pachiza District, Province of Mariscal Cáceres. 350 people have been affected, 2 died, and 50 houses collapsed, according to the latest damage assessment. Departmental response... Read More

Interesting Facts

Faith groups divided over God’s role in climate change, natural disasters. A new poll released Friday shows major differences between faith groups on topics including concern over climate change, whether natural disasters are a sign of biblical end times and how deeply connected they feel to nature... Read More

November 21, 2014

Two-day Event on Disaster Risk Management at the OAS

OAS Headquarters
25-26 November 2014

The Third Hemispheric Encounter is being organized and presented with the financial support of the US Department of State through its Permanent Mission to the OAS, will explore practical experiences in Disaster Risk Management in key sectors, based on case studies and exchanges of good practices in three selected subregions in the Americas: (i) the Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic, (ii) the  Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and (iii) the Andean States members of the Andean Committee for Disaster Prevention and Relief (CAPRADE).

The main objective of the Third Hemispheric Encounter is to exchange practical experience on Disaster Risk Management on the basis of the discussions and analysis undertaken in the three subregions, as discussed above. This exchange is expected to foster horizontal cooperation opportunities and closer collaboration among OAS Member States as well as agencies of the Inter-American System, subregional specialized IGO, and agencies of the UN System... Read more  

Vist our web site the day of the event: Live Webcast  

What happened this week?

Colombia. Flooding: 3800 families were affected by the flooding of Fundación River. In the Fundación Municipality (Magdalena Department). Assistance is being sent to the affected. Also the La Cal River overflowed affecting El Castillo Municipality in Meta department, leaving one dead and at least 2,000 affected people. In Nechi, Antioquia, four districts were flooded after the Nechí river overflow... Read More

Colombia. Oil spill: Guamuez River in Putumayo is severely polluted because of oil spill after an assault blowing out with dynamite a stretch of the pipeline in Orito-San Miguel (OSO). Environment control entities were requested to evaluate the possible impact... Read More

Colombia. Flooding: emergency in La Mojaja Sucreña, due to the overflow of Cauca River has caused an opening of approximately 20 meters. There is no final information regarding damages... Read More

Trinidad and Tobago. Floods: Flooding in several communities. Water levels in the larger rivers such as the Caroni river and smaller river courses particularly in North Eastern and Central Trinidad over spilled the banks. No deaths have been reported. Two (2) shelters opened – one each in Mayaro and Sangre Grande. 20 people were reportedly in the Sangre Grande shelter but as of now only 5 remained... Read More

Honduras. Floods: 13 families evacuated in San Pedro de Sula. Increased risk of landslides and flood of gorges... Read More

Mexico. Floods: Civil Protection declared State of Emergency in 17 municipalities because of the rainfalls. In the last 24 hours rain has been falling on Tabasco 32 percent of the monthly average of expected rain for November. Approximately 30,000 people were affected by the floods... Read More

USA. Cold Wave (Update): Strong snowfalls remain in the New York/ Philadelphia line to Rochester. All drivers stranded have been rescued. 7 Shelter remain open with 128 refugees, 8 deaths (6 confirmed and 2 unconfirmed). 200 National guards are supporting the rescue and snow cleaning. There a no requests of assistance to FEMA... Read More

October 24, 2014

What happened this week?

El Salvador. Floods, caused by rainfall in in the western and central parts of the country with damage to the highway leading to the port of La Libertad and the urban area of ​​Santa Ana. MARN is forecasting moderate probability of overflows from rivers and short streams and reported that after recent rainfall about 13 municipalities in six departments have a high susceptibility to landslides, mainly in the central volcanic chain. Damage assessment was conducted in three hospitals and 50 schools affected by rains in the departments of San Miguel and La Union, and those affected by a 7.3-degree earthquake in the town of Zacatecoluca, La Paz... Read More

Guatemala. Floods. Heavy rains and winds in recent days have destroyed crops and caused damage to homes in San Juan Cotzal, Quiché, Sanarate and El Progreso. In Zacapa, 7,000 people have been left without access to water due to flood damage to pipes. The rainfall has also damaged homes and artesian wells... Read More

Mexico: Tropical Storm Rudy.The passage of the storm left 12,000 affected people affected in 35 municipalities that had declared emergency in Guerrero; in Oaxaca damage was reported to 50 roads, 220 homes suffered major damage and their inhabitants were evacuated to 10 shelters... Read More

Nicaragua.  Floods. Heavy rainfall has caused mudslides, landslides, overflowing of rivers, and flooding homes mainly in Rivas, Granada, Masaya, San Juan River, the South Caribbean and the Autonomous Region. More than 100 families have been evacuated and 27 people have died. So far 60,345 people have been affected nationwide; there are 32 active shelters and 90 solidarity houses, where 1,053 families remain. There are also 6,214 damaged homes, including destroyed, partially destroyed, flooded, and in relocation...  Read More

Panama: Floods. Rainfall in the province of Los Santos left at least about 48 houses and 218 people affected by floods caused by the overflowing of the rivers. SINAPROC makes damage assessment and needs analysis... Read More

Brazil. Several cities are in state of emergency due to various natural hazards. Drought is affecting the municipalities of Olhos d'Água and Palmópolis in Minas Gerais; and also Bom Jesus da Lapa, Bahia, and Redondo Well, in Sergipe. The cities of Mato Rico, Paraná and Santa Rosa, Rio Grande do Sul are being affected by rainfall. Finally, the municipality of Saudades, in Santa Catarina, is in emergency due to floods... Read More

Interesting Facts

Project plans to launch earthquake predicting satellite. A satellite project in Chennai may soon help predict quakes... Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Bolivia. Civil Defense will deliver 30 tons of humanitarian assistance in the border town of Charaña, which will benefit 649 families and 1,500 head of cattle affected by drought. The director of the Emergency Operations Center said on Wednesday that the governor of the department of Santa Cruz declared a drought emergency affecting 12 municipalities in the region; the effects will be mitigated with a budget of 4 million bolivianos... Read More

October 17, 2014

What happened this week?

El Salvador. A powerful 7.4 magnitude, 40 Km depth, quake shook the Pacific coast of Central America, causing some damage and killing at least one person in El Salvador... Read More

Antigua and Barbuda. Hurricane Gonzalo generates flooding and interrupts electric lines connection affecting 27 thousand users who remain without electricity. The authorities reported no victims or injured. The National Emergency Operations Center has been activated... Read More

Ecuador: Floods, Provinces of Azuay and Pastaza: At least 32 evacuated after heavy rains generated sudden floods damaging homes on 11 and 12 of October 2014. There are not fatalities reported. The response was led by the Secretariat of Risk Management (SGR), undertaking emergency actions and damage assessment. Orange alert was declared in high-risk areas, water levels of river in Azuay are rising... Read More

El Salvador: There is an increased risk of landslides due to moisture in the soil because of profuse recent rainfalls and the 7.3-magnitude earthquake, both have created favorable conditions for a high risk for landslides in 21 municipalities. A landslide at the El Poy highway in Portillo caused disruption to transport routes between El Salvador and Honduras. Four people have died during the week due to the rain; in addition, 18 families were evacuated due to the overflow of two creeks in La Union. Increase in rainfall is expected for the next few hours across the country. Civil Protection maintains a yellow alert and asked mayors to enable municipal committees...  Read More

Interesting Facts

Your phone could help predict earthquake. Your phone turns into a simple seismometer that can detect vibrations from earthquakes... Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Advancing the Use of Space-based Technologies for Disaster Management. the 2014 United Nations International Conference on Space-based Technologies for Disaster Management provided an opportunity for stakeholders to learn more about using space-based information to identify, assess, monitor, and respond to hazard risks in ways that could potentially lessen their impacts and shorten recovery periods... Read More

October 10, 2014

What happened this week?

Brazil. 47 municipalities in seven states are in a state of emergency due to various atmospheric phenomena: dry season in the Parana State, hail in Santa Catarina, and intense rain and floods in the state of Amazonas... Read More

Bolivia: 4.6 Earthquake. In three municipalities of La Paz, 106 families have been evacuated due to the collapse of houses and the risk of landslides. The most affected municipalities are: Irupana (South Yungas), Cajuata (Inquisivi), and Cairoma... Read More

Colombia:  Department of Magdalena, Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta: An electric storm in the Kemakumake community caused the death of 11 people and injured 13 who were evacuated by Army helicopters. All the affected belong to the Wiwa ethnic group... Read More

Nicaragua: 10 municipalities affected by floods. Two injured and one dead, 1207 affected families and nearly 100 homes with damages. 17 shelters where 813 people (202 families),. Health care is being provided to the affected. National respons... Read More

Interesting Facts

Warning system for landslide forecast. Early warning system to forecast rainfall-induced landslides... Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Disaster Risk Management Latin American and Caribbean. The Permanent Secretariat of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) will hold the "III Regional Seminar on Partnerships between the public and private sectors for Disaster Risk Management."... Read More

October 3, 2014

OAS Convenes First Stakeholder Meeting on Natural Disaster Mitigation

A special stakeholder meeting convened this week by the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, DC, agreed on the need for increased support and focus on natural disaster mitigation and climate change issues.

The Group of Friends on Natural Disaster Mitigation brought together, for the first time, representatives of countries across the Hemisphere, OAS Permanent Observer countries, representatives of several key inter-American institutions, and others to collaborate and co-ordinate mitigation efforts and potential projects, on a regular basis... Read more (Leer más)

What happened this week?

Honduras: Drought. The impact of the drought in the southern part of the country is becoming worse. The severity of the crisis is increasing and, according to latest official figures, the drought has affected 186,311 families. These families are distributed throughout the dry corridor, which includes the departments of Valle, Choluteca, the southern area of the departments of Francisco Morazán, El Paraíso and most of the departments of La Paz, Lempira, Intibucá and Copan... Read More

Peru: 5.1 Earthquake. The earthquake left eight people dead, 575 people affected and 115 houses destroyed or uninhabitable. Different national entities have been providing food, supplies, medicines, and health care for the victims. The National Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor the emergency... Read More

4.3 earthquake in Arequipa. The epicenter was 17 kilometers south of Caraveli city, and had a depth of 97 kilometers... Read More

Heavy Rain to Continue in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay. A series of low pressure systems will traverse central South America bringing locally flooding rainfall to southeastern Brazil, northeastern Argentina and eastern Paraguay... Read More

Interesting Facts

Landslide prediction tool uses fibre-optic sensors. Sensors embedded in soil detect small movements over wide areas... Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Ministries of health seek to strengthen coordination of humanitarian assistance in emergencies and disasters. Representatives of ministries of health in the Americas adopted a plan of action to improve coordination of international humanitarian assistance during emergencies and disasters, in order to facilitate a timely, effective response and save lives... Read More

Peru: 5.1 Earthquake. Cusco’s Regional Health Authority (Diresa) mobilized two health brigades to Paruro Province; in addition a health care tent was installed in the village of Miska and ambulances were mobilized to area affected by the earthquake of 27 September. The brigades include doctors, psychologists, nurses and technicians, and they brought tents and medicine to the affected area to provide health care and psycosocial support to the population. Also, monitoring of environmental risk will be conducted... Read More

September 26, 2014

What happened this week?

Mexico: Hurricane Odile. Five municipalities in Baja California declared disaster zones. The most affected areas are La Paz, Comondú, Loreto, Los Cabos, and Mulege. The delivery of supplies to the affected families of those municipalities has started. National response... Read More

Uruguay: Floods. The number of evacuees remains at 296, and those who left voluntarily, at 4294. The Yi River level continues to go down and is below the safe zone. People will begin returning to Durazno and Soriano today. The emergency situation caused by the floods in the south of the country remains under control. The National Emergency System, through its Departmental Emergency Committees, continues to coordinate response activities... Read More

Panama: Floods in the western area of Panama left 427 people affected and 105 houses damaged. The floods were caused by the overflow of the Martin Sanchez river, El Rodeo stream, and obstruction of sewers. SINAPROC recommends being aware of the levels of rivers and streams, and landslides caused by the saturation of soils. National response... Read More

Emergency on Route 32 as landslides trap hundreds of motorists on mountainous Costa Rica highway. Heavy rains triggered multiple landslides that stranded 380 2,000 people for hours in the dark and rain... Read More

Powerful 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Argentina. The quake was very deep, at over 100 miles below the surface and struck in a remote mountainous region near the borders with Chile and Bolivia... Read More

Interesting Facts

Signs in groundwater may help predict earthquakes six months in advance. Chemical spikes in water due to stress building up in the rocks could hold clues to forecasting tremors...  Read More

Hi-tech Tools Can Better Predict Droughts, Flood.  New technology has allowed scientists to develop better climate models and measurements.  the goal is to figure out how to combine these tools to better predict droughts and floods... Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Association of Caribbean State drives regional approach to disaster risk reduction. The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) in its overall aim of promoting Sustainable Development for the Greater Caribbean, through its Directorate of Disaster Risk Reduction, continues to improve and increase its initiatives in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction as reflected in the 22nd Meeting of the Special Committee for Disaster Risk Reduction... Read More

Plans for $200 million in drought relief released. More than $200 million in expedited bond funding would benefit 110 projects throughout the state, ranging from the city of Mt. Shasta to San Diego, under the draft recommendations by the state Department of Water Resources... Read More 

FEMA offers disaster resources for tribal communities. Tribal members can learn how to prepare themselves and family members for an emergency by visiting Ready Indian Country... Read More

September 19, 2014

What happened this week?

Mexico, Baja California: Hurricane Odile has affected the entire peninsula of Baja California, after making landfall on Sunday in the Los Cabos as a Category 3 hurricane. Five municipalities have been affected. Approximately 7,000 people were evacuated before the hurricane, and 3,000 are in shelters. A Red Alert is maintained because the heavy rains continue... Read More

Uruguay: Floods in six departments, particularly in Durazno, have affected more than 2,000 people. In addition, several roads have been blocked in different sections. The flow of the Yi River has been increasing steadily in recent days, reaching a height of 10.93 meters in Durazno; the height at which it begins affecting households is 8.6 meters. Three shelters have been established for people who have evacuated their homes... Read More

Paraguay: Floods. The Paraguay River has dropped two meters; however, 17,788 families are still at risk. The waters will rise again, according to forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology and Hydrology... Read More

Drought causing food crisis in Central America. Across the region, rivers, lakes and lagoons have dried up along with many of the wells that people rely on for drinking water, cooking and washing. As people desperately dig to deepen their wells in search of water, aid agencies are preparing to deal with a major crisis of malnutrition across the region. Read More

Interesting Facts

Silicon Valley looks to build high-tech alert system. Established giants are pouring resources into Internet-powered alert systems or quake detection technology. Other companies are taking unusual approaches to detect quakes... Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Round table with Dr Jemilah Mahmood, Chief World Humanitarian Summit. The General Secretariat of the OAS participated in a round table at The American Red Cross on September 12th to discuss with Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, Chief of the UN World Humanitarian Summit, and partners preparations for the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit (WHS)....Read More  (Leer más)

México. Coordinación Nacional de Protección Civil. Continuity of Operations Plan. Read More 

Paraguay: The Ministry of Health provides and distributes health care supplies and provisions for the emergency project using CERF funds... Read More

September 12, 2014

What happened this week?

Mexico: Hurricane Norbert. The storm evolved to a Category 3 hurricane and produced heavy rains in Baja California, northwestern Mexico, where a red alert (maximum risk) remains. High waves left 50 affected families in the port of San Carlos, Baja California Sur. Also, rains wreaked havoc and caused partial suspension of electricity services in Leon. The storm is now a post-tropical cyclone... Read More

United States: Southwestern states. Flash floods in the state of Arizona left two people dead; the Governor has declared a state of emergency. In addition, nearly 200 children were trapped in an elementary school in the state of Nevada because of flooding. Damage to roads. The rains are the result of Hurricane Norbert, and are expected to continue for several days... Read More

Peru: Ubinas volcano. An explosion with an eruptive column that reached 3500 meters was recorded today. The forecast for ash dispersion, prepared by the SENAMHI and OVI, indicates that it could reach the towns of Querapi, Sacohaya, Tonohaya, Anascapa, Ubinas and San Miguel... Read More

Interesting Facts

Earthquake detectors to give some B.C. schools warnings before ground shakes. New earthquake detectors could buy some B.C. students precious seconds to get to safety before the ground starts shaking... Read More

Why Do Landslides Happen and Why Are They So Devastating?. Landslides don’t attract the same media attention as more familiar geological hazards such as earthquakes and volcanoes. And yet they can be just as disastrous and, in fact, 2014 has been a particularly bad year... Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

International Forum Calls for Focus on Disaster Recovery. Leaders from developing countries, civil society, private sector and agencies including the World Bank, European Union and United Nations are coming together this week to discuss how vulnerable countries can better prepare and protect hard won development gains by establishing recovery strategies and processes before disaster strikes...Read More

September 5, 2014

What happened this week?

Jamaica Drought Causes Nearly US$1 Billion in Losses. Over 18,000 small farmers have been affected by extreme drought that has been plaguing the country for months... Read More

Panama Canal chief says ship sizes could be restricted if drought continues. The head of the Panama Canal Authority says officials might be forced to limit the draft of ships by the end of this year or early in 2015 if a drought continues and lowers the level of lakes that feed the waterway's locks... Read More

Brazil Drought: São Paulo Could Run Dry in Less Than 100 Days. Brazil's largest city could run dry in less than 100 days if the city's government doesn't act... Read More

Drought leaves up to 2.81 m hungry in Central America: UN. A severe drought has ravaged crops in Central America and as many as 2.81 million people are struggling to feed themselves..  Read More

Brazil drought crisis leads to rationing and tensions. Water rationed in 19 cities in southeast and central regions after usually abundant supplies run dry... Read More

Guatemala:Floods. Showers in the country have caused flooding in the departments of Petén and Suchitepéquez that have affected 255 people and caused damage to 39 homes. Local authorities conducted assessments and determined that it was not necessary to enable shelters, and delivered humanitarian assistance to those affected... Read More

Interesting Facts

Reduce Flood Risks with Plastic Tanks. Polypropylene tanks can help prevent city-wide flooding in flood-prone areas...Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Central America braces for drought-linked food crisis. In response to the drought, the Guatemalan government has said it will begin distributing 4,000 tonnes of food aid to more than 170,000 families affected by the drought from early October, using government and United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) food reserves... Read More

Pacific Resilience – Strategy for Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific (SRDP). The work of the Pacific in integrating climate change and disaster risk management was showcased at the SIDS side event, Building Pacific Resilience – the Strategy for Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific (SRDP) held in Samoa.. Read More

August 29, 2014

What happened this week?

California Hit With Earthquake Of 6.0 Magnitude. A large earthquake rolled through California's northern Bay Area early Sunday, damaging some buildings, igniting fires... Read More

Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Rocks Trinidad and Tobago, Part of Venezuela.  An earthquake hit northwest of Trinidad. The quake measured magnitude 6.4 at a depth of 37... Read More

Major 6.9-Magnitude Earthquake Reported in Central Peru. The seismological service said in a preliminary report that the quake was centered about 26 miles east-northeast of an area called Tambo, and about 471 292 miles southeast of the capital of Lima. It had a depth of 36 miles... Read More

Atlántico Department, San Juan de Tocagua. Storm with gale-force winds left 20 houses flooded and with damaged roofs in the southwest area of Atlántico. A local government commission will arrive in the next hours to evaluate damage and offer assistance to the population... Read More

Nicaragua, Managua: Floods update, Managua. Storm with gale-force winds left 20 houses flooded and with damaged roofs in the southwest area of Atlántico. A local government commission will arrive in the next hours to evaluate damage and offer assistance to the population... Read More

Interesting Facts

7.0 m earthquake strikes Peru + 6.0 m in California + Iceland erupting = Major unrest occurring.  The “pressure” now being placed on North America is coming from both sides. Movement coming from the Midatlantic, and from the Pacific... Read More

What Caused California’s Napa Valley Earthquake? Faults Explained. The magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck California’s Napa Valley north of San Francisco on Sunday morning—collapsing older buildings, sparking fires and causing scores of injuries—fell along a series of cracks in the Earth tied to the famed and feared San Andreas Fault... Read More

Study examines link between earthquakes and drought. In the wake of Sunday’s 6.0-magnitude earthquake in Napa Valley, scientists are now questioning whether or not there is a connection between earthquakes and the drought... Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Santiago, Cuba: International Project of seismic risks. Education initiatives in communities and building plans consistent with the risks facing this territory are among the activities planned within the project... Read More