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

July 1, 2016

Towards the restoration of the Intermunicipal system of flood early warning in the area of Mamuca, Honduras

The members of the Community of Municipalities of Centre Atlantis (MAMUCA), composed by the Municipalities of El Porvenir, San Francisco, La Masica, Esparta and Arizona, the Governor of the Department and authorities of the Permanent Commission of Contingencies (COPECO), gathered on 24 June 2016 in the City of La Ceiba, Department of Atlantida, Honduras, signed an act by which they undertake to join efforts to implement the Action Plan to Restore the Intermunicipal System of Flood Early Warning in the area. Likewise, MAMUCA agreed to request the good offices of the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (GS/OAS), through the Department of Sustainable Development (SEDI/DSD), to contribute in supporting these efforts... Read more

What happened this week?

Guatemala. State of calamity declared in Jerez, Jutiapa: As of June 23 2016 the Guatemalan authorities declared a state of calamity for 30 days, as a result of the heavy rains that have generated landslides in the municipality of Jerez department of Jutiapa, which have resulted in damage to road infrastructure, housing, schools, health and others. The authorities indicated that for a period of 30 days, work will be performed on roads that have been destroyed by the heavy rains that have affected the municipality... Read more

United States. Flooding in West Virgina: According to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), there have been 23 confirmed fatalities due to flooding in West Virginia and it was declared to be a major disaster on June 25. As of Tuesday, June 28, approximately 500 homes have been damaged or destroyed in Roane County and, there are 11 shelters housing 189 occupants... Read more

Peru. Frosts affect Tanta district - Lima: As of June 28, 2016 at least 231 people in the district of Tanta, Yauyos province in the region of Lima have been affected by frost the National Civil Defense Institute (INDECI) reported. Humanitarian assistance is being provided to the affect population through the municipality district of Tanta, they have also conducted a damage assessment and needs analysis... Read more

Interesting Facts

Google is adding recent earthquake data to search results. Google is making it easier to find out useful information in the event of an earthquake... Read more

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

EU provides €6 million to make vulnerable cities resilient to disasters.The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) aim to reduce disaster losses in some of the world’s most hazard prone cities with the initial aid of a €6 million grant from the EU, over the next three years... Read more