December 30, 2016

What happened this week?

Uruguay. Storm leaves one dead and 30 injured in San Carlos: A strong storm with the strength of a tornado affected the eastern part of the country, leaving one dead, and more than 30 injured, as well as downing trees and ripping off roofs. It was reported that as of yet, the city has no electricity (29,000 interrupted services). However, the two health centers in the affected area already have electrical power. The authorities are conducting damage assessments in the city. The 30 injures persons have been transferred to different health centers in the Department... Read more

Brazil. 5 municipalities in Bahia and Minas Gerais declared emergencies for heavy rain and drought: The National Secretariat for Protection and Civil Defense (SEDEC) of the Ministry of National Integration declared emergency situations for five municipalities in Bahia and Minas Gerais. The affected municipalities are Jaborandi and Marilac, for heavy rains and Paulo Afonso, Piritiba, and Presidente Janio Quadros, for drought... Read more

Interesting Facts

Earthquake faults are smarter than we usually think. Researchers now have an answer to a vexing age-old question: Why do earthquakes sometimes come in clusters? The research team has developed a new computer model and discovered that earthquake faults are smarter -- in the sense of having better memory -- than seismologists have long assumed... Read more

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Training trainers to curb disaster risk. Dozens of disaster risk management professionals from across the Americas have been schooled in how to pass on planning skills, thanks to a programme run by UNISDR’s Global Education and Training Institute... Read more

Chile boost for business resilience. Businesses in Chile have come together to form the latest national chapter of UNISDR’s Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies... Read more