AFRICA

Fourth Africa Regional Platform on DRR

AUC, UNISDR, 13-15 February 2013, Arusha, Tanzania

http://bit.ly/W4auwY

The AUC in collaboration with the UNISDR have organized the 4th Africa Regional Platform on DRR, planned

to take place in Arusha Tanzania from 13 to 15 February alongside the 5th Africa drought Adaptation Forum

planned for 11-12 February 2013.

The main objectives, agenda items and expected results of the 4th Africa Regional Platform on DRR are:

-To monitor progress by risk managers and partners in the implementation of the Extended Programme of Ac-

tion for the implementation of the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction 2005-2015;

-To share information, expertise, lessons and tools to accelerate progress;

-To facilitate discussion and recommendations for the post 2015 disaster risk agenda for Africa; and

-To review the Africa position for the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, Geneva from 19 to 23 May

2013.

AMERICAS

House approves long-delayed $50.7bn Sandy disaster aid package

The Guardian, 16 January 2013 (Washington, USA)

http://bit.ly/Via8lK

Reporting that the Republican-controlled House of Representatives approved $50.7bn in emergency relief for

Hurricane Sandy victims on Tuesday night, ending an episode that exposed party divisions more than 10 weeks

after the storm brutalised parts of the heavily populated north-east.

ASIA-PACIFIC

Vietnam’s Buddhist response to disaster

IRIN, 16 January 2013 (Hanoi, Vietnam)

http://bit.ly/13KW9sA

Reporting that Buddhist monks, nuns and their followers have long contributed to Vietnam’s disaster relief

efforts. Sometimes equipped with canoes filled with instant noodles, woollen hats and psychosocial counsellors,

this local cadre may lack standard operating procedures, but it constitutes a largely undocumented and signifi-

cant disaster relief system running parallel to governmental efforts.

Philippines: Legislator bats for land use plan in disaster risk reduction, management

Reliefweb, 15 January 2013 (Iloilo City, Philippines)

http://bit.ly/SEPFtd

Reporting that Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan is advocating for the Land Use Act since better land use

can ensure protection of life and property against onslaught of disasters. Accordingly his first priority as legis-

lator is putting in place the provisions of the law on land use as this focuses on human life, environment, and

health. The Senator has also championed laws like the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act,

CARPER Law, Clean Air Act, and Solid Waste Management.

News Service for the week of January 18, 2013

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Focus on disaster preparedness increases

Republica, 15 January 2013 (Kathmandu, Nepal)

http://bit.ly/SconZt

Reporting that coordination among the municipalities of Kathmandu Valley and other authorities concerned

and the focus on management activities to reduce earthquake risk have improved in the one and half years

since the latest fatal earthquake that Valley folks experienced.

Review on ’Phl disaster law’ eyed

Philstar.com, 14 January 2013 (Manila, Philippines)

http://bit.ly/WgQIM9

Reporting that an author of the law that mandates the government to address and manage the causes and im-

pact of calamities on Monday said there may be a need to review the law. In a statement, Sen. Loren Legarda

said three years after the enactment of Republic Act 10121 or the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Act of 2010" there may be a need to amend the law to include better provisions for disaster pre-

paredness.

Global polio watchdog warns against migration from endemic nations

The Times of India, 11 January 2013 (New Delhi, India)

http://bit.ly/VwPqj7

Reporting that the global independent monitoring board (IMB) on polio has recommended that no country

should allow a citizen from any endemic polio state to cross its border without a valid vaccination certificate.

According to the IMB, every time a child or adult travels abroad from Afghanistan, Nigeria or Pakistan, they

risk carrying the polio virus with them. The IMB, therefore, has recommended that India should immediately

plan for a simulation exercise to test the readiness of its emergency response plans.

MENA Oman: Health Ministry/Meeting

Oman News Agency, 14 January 2013 (Muscat, Oman)

http://bit.ly/WKd8nR

Reporting that the Medical Response and Public Health Committee for Management of Emergency Cases and

Application of International Health Regulations at the National Committee for Civil Defence (NCCD) held its

1st meeting, which aimed at revising the national plan for management of emergency cases at the health sector

and developing a work plan for 2013. It included building capacities and appointing coordinators in the gover-

norates and all sectors, as well as completing the organizational structure for responding to emergency cases,

in addition to reviewing activities organized during 2011 and 2012.

PUBLICATIONS

Climate Change and disaster risk management

Leal Filho, Walter (ed.), Springer (2013)

http://bit.ly/Wap2YP

This book presents the latest findings from scientific research on climate variation, climate change and their

links with disaster risk management. It showcases projects and other initiatives in this field that are being un-

dertaken in both industrialised and developing countries, by universities and scientific institutions, government

bodies, national and international agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders. Finally, it discusses current and

future challenges, identifying opportunities and highlighting the still unrealised potential for promoting better

understanding of the connections between climate variation, climate change and disaster risk management

worldwide.

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