Update info

Updated every Friday.

Friday, February 14, 2014

February 14, 2014

What happened this week?

United States winter storm "Pax" 
625,000 power outages occurred across 16 states and the District of Columbia , and at least 16 deaths have been blamed on the storm that left up to 24" of snow in New York, Maryland and Massachusetts. ...Read more

Bolivia Floods Situation Update (Oct 13'-Feb 14, 14')
Total 55,645 affected families in 133 municipalities, 55 deaths, and 11 people missing. Impact increased in Beni including aerial evacuation in Puerto Almacén, water and electrical services interrupted and need for food in Reyes and Rurrenabaque...Read more

Interesting Facts

Disaster Distress Helpline provides crisis counseling 
Rockville, MD. The Disaster Distress Helpline provides immediate counseling to anyone who needs help in dealing with the damage caused by the winter storms in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern states. Sponsored by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Helpline immediately connects callers to trained and caring professionals from the closest crisis counseling center in the nationwide network of centers...Read more

Natural Disasters Bring Risk of Fungal Infections
Natural disasters can create conditions that put survivors at risk for fungal infections, which are often overlooked, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural disasters can displace harmful fungi from their natural habitat, potentially bringing them into contact with injured and vulnerable people, the report said. ...Read more

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

How to harness technology and collaboration to boost disaster risk reduction 
Through the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, the World Bank has launched an initiative designed to harness cutting-edge technology for disaster risk management. The Code for Resilience involves a series of event called "hackathons" in major cities and seeks to engage members of civil society and the private sector in the cause...Read more 

Drought and forests: Managing California forests is crucial to water supply and quality
2013 was a year of record drought and wildfires in California, and the risks of droughts and wildfires are only expected to increase in the coming years. Although there are no easy answers, understanding the relationship between healthy forests and downstream water supply should be part of the solution. The connection between high-intensity wildfires and water quality is quantifiable and real. Reduced vegetation cover in burned areas can lead to flooding, soil erosion, changes to water temperature, and sedimentation. ...Read more   



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