TRINET Weekly News October 8, 2007
GENERAL: Workshop on "People, Policy and Partnership for Disaster
Resilinet Development", November 3rd &4th 2007, New Delhi : Asian
countries have been one of the worst hit in recent times experiencing
high impact disasters that include Asian Tsunami, South Asian
earthquake, this year's Asian floods etc. This workshop aims at
promoting Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) as a development and governance
issue to reduce vulnerability of the poor and marginalized. We draw
attention to stories and analysis from the ground by NGOs and community
experts. Included are testimonies of survivors from the epi-centre and
analysis of what works and what doesn't from tsunami and earthquake
recovery zones. Critical gaps and actions will be outlined from those
facing floods and cyclones. The critical debate will analyse current
priorities, policies and strategies in disaster risk reduction and
development so that the relevant agencies and institutions are able to
engage proactively in suggesting measures for disaster mitigation and
mainstreaming DRR at national and local levels.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/ssp/119134523921.htm
Some hard talk about towns : A report by UN-Habitat, an agency
responsible for human settlements, says the number of natural disasters
affecting urban populations has risen four-fold since 1975. As the
world's population grows, people are crowding into mega-metropolises,
where life's risks are horribly concentrated. The after-effects of a
natural disaster can be especially dire in a vast, densely-packed area
where sewers fail and disease spreads. At a pace that no urban planner
can control, slums spring up in disaster-prone areas—such as steep
slopes, which are prone to floods, mudslides or particularly severe
damage in an earthquake. Many of the world's cities are located on
coasts or rivers where the effects of climate change and extreme weather
events, from cyclones to heatwaves to droughts, are brutally and
increasingly felt. The Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, which killed at
least 230,000 people, would have been a tragedy whatever the level of
preparedness; but even when disaster strikes on a titanic scale, there
are many factors within human control—a knowledgeable population, a good
early-warning system and settlements built with disasters in mind—that
can help to minimise the number of casualties.
http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9905403
Kashmir rises from ruins of earthquake : Landing in a remote mountain
village near the disputed border with India, General Ahmed Nadeem
stepped from the cockpit with obvious pride. Two years ago on Monday
this area was devastated by a huge earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the
Richter scale, which killed 74,500 people and left 3 million homeless.
On the first anniversary 2 million were still in temporary shelters,
including 40,000 in tents, as the harsh Himalayan winter approached.
Today, however, the story is refreshingly upbeat. More than 150,000
houses have been rebuilt, 200,000 more are under construction and all of
the planned 600,000 will be finished by the middle of next year,
according to officials from Pakistan and the UN. They describe this as
one of the world's most successful reconstruction operations —
outstripping the efforts after the 2004 tsunami — and a model for the
response to future disasters. They say that the success lies in a
radical approach: giving money to victims directly and encouraging them,
instead of non governmental organisations (NGOs) and aid agencies, to
rebuild their homes. Aid workers admit that six months were wasted
because the World Bank, one of the main donors, set construction
standards too high, insisting that all houses were built of concrete and
steel. Since January standards have been lowered to permit traditional
building methods, using stone and wood.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article2592086.ece
Tsunami survivors remain under psychological stress : Swedes who
survived the tsunami in South East Asia in December 2004 that claimed
thousands of lives are still suffering health problems nearly three
years after the event. Many survivors suffer from psychological
problems, despite the majority of their number taking a year off work
and receiving medication. According to a survey that questioned 4,432
Stockholmers, a third of the women and a fifth of the men reported some
form of psychological distress. Many of those involved in the report had
lost one or more relatives in the tsunami, and others had been seriously
injured themselves. Five hundred and forty-three Swedes lost their lives
in the disaster.
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/International/nyhetssidor/artikel.asp?ProgramID=2054&Ny\
heter=&artikel=1637157
Tsunami and HIV: The rush to provide basic food, water, shelter, and
medical care after the tsunami left little time and attention for
HIV-prevention programs. Yet, as this study documents, the tsunami and
its aftermath triggered an increase in vulnerability to HIV infection in
coastal Indian communities. The research findings have important
implications for aid providers as they plan for future disasters.
http://www.oxfamamerica.org/newsandpublications/publications/research_reports/un\
derstanding-the-effect-of-the-tsunami-and-its-aftermath-on-vulnerability-to-hiv-\
in-coastal-india
Professor explores disaster-aid rejection : Travis Nelson, an assistant
professor of political science at the University of Vermont, has been
studying this curious phenomenon. He counted 129 major global disasters
over the past 25 years of an "immediate" nature -- quakes, floods,
tsunamis, storms -- with death tolls of at least 500. He discovered that
in 24 cases -- about 20 percent -- the victimized country refused at
least some of the aid being offered. Nelson discussed some of his
preliminary findings Wednesday in a brown bag lecture at UVM titled
"Rejecting the Gift Horse: The International Politics of Disaster Aid
Refusal." The refusals have seemed to come more frequently in the past
10 years or so, he said.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071005/NEWS02/71\
0050308/1007
EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS
India's Tsunami warning centre turns on : India's tsunami warning centre
in Hyderabad became operational today (1 October), less than three years
since the country's southern coast was devastated by the Asian tsunami.
The Rs 12,500 million (US$314 million) centre, located at the Indian
National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), is now
operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It receives data via
satellite from six ocean buoys — four in the Bay of Bengal and two in
the Arabian Sea — equipped with water pressure sensors to detect any
rise in water levels. Six more back-up buoys will be ready in the next
two months. The Indian tsunami warning system operates using three tiers
— watch, alert and warning — depending on the size of the waves
detected. Small waves, where it is unlikely damage will be caused to
India, initiate a "watch" and information is circulated to scientific
departments to monitor the situation. The centre issues an "alert" to
science departments and administration officials to be prepared to
evacuate for larger waves. There are two alerts, an orange alert which
is not made public, and a red alert when the public is advised to
prepare to evacuate if necessary. For large tsunami waves that could
cause damage, the centre issues "warning" which means actual evacuation
begins.
http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/153855/1/1893
Need for early warning systems underscored : The chaotic scenes
following the tsunami warning on September 12 in Southern Bangladesh as
well as in other Indian Ocean littoral states demonstrate the importance
of improving both early warning systems and community preparedness. The
observation came at a dialogue to disseminate 'the results of a pilot
project in Sri Lanka' at Bangladesh University of Science and Technology
(Buet) yesterday says a press release. Bangladesh can be proud of having
reduced the fatalities from cyclones in the past decades, but increasing
geological instability in the ocean south of the country poses a new
challenge in the form of tsunamis, a rapid-onset hazard that can destroy
lives and livelihoods on a massive scale unless the necessary
preparations are made. Under current technology, authorities have 2-3
days to issue warning and evacuate people from the path of dangerous
cyclones. Tsunamis allow only a few hours to prepare.
http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=6270
A Quick Study of the Tsunami Alert of 12 Sep 2007 : On 12 September 2007
the Tamil Nadu Government asked the coastal districts to remain on alert
following fears of tsunami in the wake of the 7.9 magnitude powerful
earthquake that rocked Sumatra near Indonesia. After the Union Home
Ministry sounded an alert, the State Government instructed the district
collectors of Chennai, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur
and Kanniyakumari to remain on high alert to meet any eventuality. On
being alerted, the district administrations sounded the alert. In the
aftermath of the events following the alert a lightning survey was
conducted by ADEPT's community volunteers (Community Support Leaders or
CSLs). 25 CSLs each interviewed 20 families. Information on the results
of the survey is available from
http://www.adeptasia.org/Images/45/Tsunami_alert_2007.pdf
FISHERIES AND COASTAL MATTERS
Plea opposes Mumbai sea-link project : MUMBAI: Don't encircle Mumbai
with a sea-link, instead construct a tunnel to connect Haji Ali and
Girgaum Chowpatty. That's the new plea of Mumbaikars who have come
together under the banner of the Federation of Environment and
Development Organisation to oppose the proposed Worli-Nariman point
sea-link. The petitioners have said the sea-link be in violation of CRZ
rules and has also not taken into consideration the effect of a tsunami
on the bridge. The affidavit seeks reexamining the project by a panel of
environmental and transport experts as well as citizen's groups.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/Plea_opposes_Mumbai_sea-link_project/a\
rticleshow/2435775.cms
Fishermen thirst for scientific solutions : Nagercoil: With a coastline
of over 1,076 kms, marine sector is a dominant force playing a vital
role in generating employment and earning substantial foreign exchange
in our State. Wherein, Kanyakumari district has the most of the coastal
hamlets of 60 in total. Most of these villages or hamlets are thickly
populated and the people do mainly fishing and related activities.
Majority of them are traditional fishermen and they were using
traditional and eco-friendly gears like traps, hooks and line, gill nets
and seine nets for fishing till recently and resources were kept under
optimum level of exploitation. However after the mechanisation and
motorisation of fishing crafts the level of exploitation increased many
folds and it has threatened the very existence of fish stock in many
cases. Many of the fishes, which were available during the 1960s, are
not found today. The fishermen of the district are the most skilled in
the country. Even though there is good traditional knowledge, the
fishermen of the district lack scientific knowledge about the fish and
its environment. They are not being taught about the importance of
fisheries conservation and habitat protection. This has led to over
fishing in some cases and habitat destruction in many areas. Hence the
cross section of fishermen in different parts of the district here has
urged the Government to educate them about the fish and its environment.
This can be introduced even in school level for the youths of the
coastal villages. This is necessary because many youth take up fishing
as their full time occupation after passing 10th and 12th standards. For
elders, sessions can be conducted on holidays.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/02/stories/2007100255820200.htm
NETFISH to improve quality : Kochi: Union Minister of State for Commerce
Jairam Ramesh on Monday said that the government was keen on
diversifying the fishing sector. Speaking after launching the Network
for Fish Quality Management and Sustainable Fishing (NETFISH), an
initiative of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA),
here on Monday, Mr. Ramesh said thrust would be given to Orissa, Gujarat
and Maharashtra which had vast potential for fisheries development. Mr.
Ramesh said that the government was now encouraging organic aquaculture
with the help of a Swiss government project. He pointed out that NETFISH
was an important initiative to step up quality and sustainability of
marine products. To compete on the international market, quality of
exported fish was very important. Abraham J. Tharakan, president of
Seafood Exporters Association of India, said the fishing sector was now
overcrowded. He suggested that maritime States should regulate the
number of fishing boats and find alternative sources of livelihood to
fish workers.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/03/stories/2007100352780500.htm
Skill development training for coastal youth begins : Tuticorin: A skill
development training on different trades organised by the Gulf of Mannar
Biosphere Reserve Trust and Government Polytechnic College, Tuticorin,
for youth living in the coastal areas, commenced here on Wednesday.
Official sources said that the training was aimed at enhancing the
employment potential of the youth thereby reducing their dependency on
marine resources for livelihood. The training was imparted in computer,
welding, auto CAD ( Computer Aided Desgining) in civil engineering and
mechanical engineering applications, computerized numerical control
lathe works and earth mover operation. All the training programmes
except that of computer course would be completed in three months. The
computer training, which covers usage of MS Word, Excel, Power Point,
Tally and Internet, would be given over six months.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/04/stories/2007100452650300.htm
Sudden change in behaviour of sea : Nagapattinam: Sudden change in the
behaviour of the sea was reported at several places on the 188-km
coastline of the district in the early hours of Thursday. Fishermen, who
ventured into the sea from Point Calimere, Vedaranyam and Pazhayar,
became panicky after seeing unusually high tides. According to fishermen
of Vedaranyam and Pazhayar coastal areas, the sea water receded at
several hamlets for about 100 metres and advanced at some places. The
peculiar behaviour of the sea is being noticed in the last few days.
However, fishermen from all villages ventured into the sea for fishing
as usual on Thursday.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/05/stories/2007100557160300.htm
Coral bleaching to become an annual affair : Kochi: Coral bleaching
caused by climate changes may become an annual affair from 2040, posing
serious threats to the coral population in the Indian waters, warn
scientists.
Once bleaching becomes a regular affair, it will be difficult for the
corals to recover and this will lead to its death. Eventually, the
country may lose its coral cover by the second half of the century, say
scientists of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)
who have studied the possible effects of climate change on the Indian
coral reefs as part of an Indian Council for Agriculture Research
project. Major coral reefs exist in India in the Lakshadweep, the Gulf
of Mannar, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Gulf of Kutch and
massive bleaching was reported in these areas in 1998 and 2002.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/04/stories/2007100461400300.htm
LIVELIHOODS
Coming: 'Fresh Fish Express' : Thiruvananthapuram: Henceforth,
fisherwomen need not have to suffer the rush in KSRTC buses or depend on
autorickshaws to take their fish to the market. Matsyafed has introduced
a new transport system, 'Fresh Fish Express', as part of which
fisherwomen in groups of six will be taken in vans to the respective
selling points. Twenty such vans will be distributed among the
beneficiaries during the inauguration of the Tsunami Emergency
Development Project-3 at Neendakara in Kollam on October 3. ''The van
provided for the fisherwomen under the Tsunami Emergency Development
Project for fresh fish marketing will reduce their inconvenience in
selling fish and reaching markets,'' said Matsyafed Chairman B.V.
Sasheendran. The project, which is now carried out in nine coastal
districts, will benefit 1,800 fisherwomen. Each 'Fresh Fish Express' van
will be owned by six fisherwomen and will also have facilities to
exhibit and preserve fish. ''The women are selected through the
panchayats. The highest number of applications are from
Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Ernakulam,'' said the Matsyafed Chairman.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20071003021553&Page=O&Headline=Co\
ming%3A+%91Fresh+Fish+Express%92&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0
PepsiCo Trains Tsunami Affected Youth For Employment : Chandigarh,
India, 10/01/2007 - PepsiCo foundation has helped more than 1500 tsunami
affected youth between the age group 18-35 years in getting employment
with some of the leading companies such as Vodafone, Airtel, ICICI Bank,
Reliance Industries, Nokia and Hero Honda. They were trained at the
Livelihood Resource Centre (LRC). This innovative employability skill
development initiative was undertaken by Pepsico Foundation in
association with the CAP Foundation in September 2005. Recently, another
batch of 300 students got graduation certificates. LRC largely aims at
providing Employability Training Program, Entrepreneurship Development
Program and Micro Enterprise Support to these youth. PepsiCo foundation
has funded LRC with a total grant of Rs 1 crore. The core focus of the
program was to rehabilitate the youth between the age group 18-35 years
who had lost family or livelihood in the disastrous environmental
calamity. The training was provided in 6 market driven skill training
courses Customer Relations & Sales, Hospitality, Automobile mechanism,
IT Enabled service, Multi Skilled training (Electrical & electronics,
plumbing, house wiring) and White Goods Services, R &A/C (refrigeration
and air-conditioning).
http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/24149/
VS vows to end woes of fisheries sector : Kollam: Chief Minister V.S.
Achuthanandan has said that the State government considers itself
duty-bound to stop the onslaught of globalisation into the fisheries
sector. He was inaugurating the State-level launch of three welfare
schemes under the Tsunami Emergency Assistance Programme (TEAP) for the
fishing community at a function on the Puthenthura IRE Grounds, near
here, on Wednesday. Mr. Achuthanandan said drinking-water shortage in
coastal areas would be solved through a Rs. 132-crore project to be
launched by the government. Health facilities in these areas would be
improved and all coastal grama panchayats would have model anganwadis.
Facilities in schools would be improved through a Rs. 41.5-crore scheme.
He said the government would green the coastal areas through a
Rs.25-crore tree-planting project. All harbours in the State would be
developed at a cost of Rs.97 crore. For the development of ports, the
government had earmarked Rs. 44.5 crore. The TEAP schemes were being
implemented through Matsyafed.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/04/stories/2007100453490500.htm
HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE
"Packages to build houses in vulnerable coastal areas" : Cuddalore: A
total number of 52,569 houses will be built in the Tamil Nadu coastal
areas vulnerable to natural disasters such as cyclone and the tsunami,
according to M.Farooqui, Special Commissioner and Commissioner for
Revenue Administration. For the purpose two packages — Rajiv Gandhi and
World Bank programmes — have been put in place to be implemented at an
aggregate cost of Rs. 1,500 crore to provide shelter and other
facilities in the coastal areas.
These would include 78 cyclone shelters, each to be built at a cost of
Rs 1.5 crore, formation of escape routes and installation of warning
systems, Mr. Farooqui told presspersons here on Thursday after attending
the review meeting on the tsunami rahabilitation programmes being
implemented in Cuddalore, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Tiruvallur,
Kancheepuram and Thanjavur districts. The construction might take about
seven months to one year, and if it were to be built in situ by
demolishing the existing tenements, each such household would be given a
monthly assistance of Rs. 500 to enable them to find alternative
accommodation till the construction was over.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/05/stories/2007100552260300.htm
State may fund tsunami rehabilitation projects : Alappuzha: The Revenue
Department is contemplating utilising funds from the State government's
own coffers for tsunami rehabilitation projects that have been approved
by the Union government but for which funds are yet to arrive. Revenue
Minister K.P. Rajendran, speaking to reporters at the tsunami-hit
Andhakaranazhi and Pallithode areas here on Monday, hinted that his
department had discussed such a temporary arrangement with the Finance
Department, taking into consideration the urgency with which the
rehabilitation works had to be completed. Though the Union government
had approved rehabilitation projects for Rs.460 crore out of the
projects worth Rs.960 crore submitted by the State government, only
Rs.68 crore has been made available so far. With this amount being
insufficient for the work, the Revenue Department would adjust with
money from the State treasury till further funds come from the Union
government.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/02/stories/2007100251460300.htm
CHILDREN
New guidelines soon for child adoption : New Delhi: The Centre will soon
finalise fresh guidelines for child adoption so as to make the process
more transparent and ensure that there are adequate safety checks and a
tracking system. The government, Minister Renuka Chowdhury said, was
planning to create a mechanism for children orphaned or separated in
disaster situations, such as tsunami. The new guidelines would encourage
single-parent adoptions. Focus would also be on children with special needs.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/06/stories/2007100658231200.htm
ANDAMAN NEWS
Minister suggests to take up rehab needs of isles on war footing : Port
Blair, Oct 05 The Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport &
Highways, Shri TR Baalu has said that the Union Territory of Andaman &
Nicobar Islands is a very sensitive region of the country and all its
requirements must be taken up on a war footing. Taking stock of the
post-tsunami repair and reconstruction of jetties and ports at a meeting
held at Raj Niwas in Port Blair, today, Shri Baalu directed all the
stake holders to take urgent steps for the repair and reconstruction of
temporary jetties and wharves in the short term and permanent ones in
the long run.
http://164.100.148.5/telegram/toppage.aspx
6-day trng. on capacity bldg. gets underway : Staff Correspondent. Port
Blair, Oct 01. A six-day training programme on capacity building in food
processing on a rice based product got underway in the conference hall
of Agriculture Department at Haddo this morning. The Development
Commissioner, Shri Janak Digal inaugurated the programme as the chief
guest. The training programme has been organized by Unnati (an NGO) in
association with Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) of the
Agriculture Department and Bio-Mass Energy Technology Centre, Mysore
with the support of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Altogether 45 trainees
from different Self-Help Groups of the Islands are participating in the
training.
http://164.100.148.5/telegram/toppage.aspx
INDONESIA
Kuntoro Mangkusubroto interviewed by The Jakarta Post: "Aceh, from
sharia to economic development and peace" : Jakarta, 1 Oktober 2007 -
There has been a controversy swirling over recent reports that Aceh-Nias
Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (BRR) chairman Kuntoro
Mangkusubroto said the implementation of sharia in Aceh was hindering
development. To help clear the air, The Jakarta Post's Riyadi Suparno
and Alvin Darlanika Soedarjo interviewed Kuntoro about this issue, the
agency's work and the future of Aceh following the BRR's scheduled
departure in 2009. Excerpts from the interview can be read at:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EKOI-77M7TK?OpenDocument&rc=3&emid=\
TS-2004-000147-LKA
Indonesia Emergency Appeal 28/07 – House reconstruction and risk
reduction in Western Sumatra : Caritas Internationalis has launched an
appeal for just over one million USD to assist earthquake-affected
families in Western Sumatra, Indonesia. The earthquake, measuring 8.4 on
the Richter scale, rocked Western Sumatra in early September, while
another almost equally powerful quake struck several days later. More
than 40 aftershocks were felt throughout the region. In Bengkulu
Province, the earthquake damaged some 28,000 homes, 7,905 of which were
completely destroyed. Fearing a tsunami, hundreds of thousands of people
evacuated their homes after the first earthquake. High waves did cause
some damage to villages and cities along the coast.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EVOD-77NJME?OpenDocument
Lessons Learned in Aceh Save Lives in Sumatra : The September 12
earthquake was the second to hit this region in less than eight years.
The first, in July 2000, and other natural disasters such as the
December 2004 earthquake and tsunami prompted many local communities to
begin learning what to do and how to protect themselves in the event of
a disaster."I kept remembering the Aceh tsunami while we were running
away," says Leni Yuliarti, a 20-year-old housewife and mother of a
three-month-old daughter. "The Aceh tsunami taught us a lot. It raised
our awareness of earthquakes and tsunamis." "We, the Bengkulu people,
have learned from our last experience and from Aceh Province that
whenever any big earthquake happens, it is best to run to higher
places," says Raudah, a local resident, as she watches her two sons
clean up the rubble on her home. "Also, the Red Cross and some
government departments have taught us about disaster preparedness
through disaster simulations." The American Red Cross has staff in
nearby Banda Aceh conducting ongoing recovery and disaster preparedness
activities stemming from the 2004 tsunami. Disaster preparedness
activities include training local leaders and volunteers through
disaster drills, forming rapid response volunteer teams, and creating
disaster plans for vulnerable communities. This training has reached
other communities, such as Bengkulu, thanks to the dedicated volunteers
of PMI.
http://www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_7099,00.html
SRI LANKA
Sri Lankan orphans benefit from Tsunami Foundation : Colombo, Sri Lanka
– Former American diplomat Dr. Patrick Mendis, a Sri Lankan-born and the
University of Minnesota-educated professor, has set up more scholarships
through his Tsunami Leaders Caring 'TLC' Foundation. Several Buddhist
and Catholic students received scholarships to attend schools in his
native birthplace of Polonnaruwa. The orphans and poor students were
selected by Reverend Father Eric Fernando at the Holy Rosary Church and
Venerable Dewananda Thero at the Dharma Vijarama Temple.
http://www.aapress.com/nationalnews.php?subaction=showfull&id=1191542350&archive\
=&start_from=&ucat
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Workshop on "People, Policy and Partnership for Disaster Resilinet
Development", November 3rd &4th 2007, New Delhi : Asian countries have
been one of the worst hit in recent times experiencing high impact
disasters that include Asian Tsunami, South Asian earthquake, this
year's Asian floods etc. This workshop aims at promoting Disaster Risk
Reduction (DRR) as a development and governance issue to reduce
vulnerability of the poor and marginalized. We draw attention to stories
and analysis from the ground by NGOs and community experts. Included are
testimonies of survivors from the epi-centre and analysis of what works
and what doesn't from tsunami and earthquake recovery zones. Critical
gaps and actions will be outlined from those facing floods and cyclones.
The critical debate will analyse current priorities, policies and
strategies in disaster risk reduction and development so that the
relevant agencies and institutions are able to engage proactively in
suggesting measures for disaster mitigation and mainstreaming DRR at
national and local levels.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/ssp/119134523921.htm
Some hard talk about towns : A report by UN-Habitat, an agency
responsible for human settlements, says the number of natural disasters
affecting urban populations has risen four-fold since 1975. As the
world's population grows, people are crowding into mega-metropolises,
where life's risks are horribly concentrated. The after-effects of a
natural disaster can be especially dire in a vast, densely-packed area
where sewers fail and disease spreads. At a pace that no urban planner
can control, slums spring up in disaster-prone areas—such as steep
slopes, which are prone to floods, mudslides or particularly severe
damage in an earthquake. Many of the world's cities are located on
coasts or rivers where the effects of climate change and extreme weather
events, from cyclones to heatwaves to droughts, are brutally and
increasingly felt. The Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, which killed at
least 230,000 people, would have been a tragedy whatever the level of
preparedness; but even when disaster strikes on a titanic scale, there
are many factors within human control—a knowledgeable population, a good
early-warning system and settlements built with disasters in mind—that
can help to minimise the number of casualties.
http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9905403
Kashmir rises from ruins of earthquake : Landing in a remote mountain
village near the disputed border with India, General Ahmed Nadeem
stepped from the cockpit with obvious pride. Two years ago on Monday
this area was devastated by a huge earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the
Richter scale, which killed 74,500 people and left 3 million homeless.
On the first anniversary 2 million were still in temporary shelters,
including 40,000 in tents, as the harsh Himalayan winter approached.
Today, however, the story is refreshingly upbeat. More than 150,000
houses have been rebuilt, 200,000 more are under construction and all of
the planned 600,000 will be finished by the middle of next year,
according to officials from Pakistan and the UN. They describe this as
one of the world's most successful reconstruction operations —
outstripping the efforts after the 2004 tsunami — and a model for the
response to future disasters. They say that the success lies in a
radical approach: giving money to victims directly and encouraging them,
instead of non governmental organisations (NGOs) and aid agencies, to
rebuild their homes. Aid workers admit that six months were wasted
because the World Bank, one of the main donors, set construction
standards too high, insisting that all houses were built of concrete and
steel. Since January standards have been lowered to permit traditional
building methods, using stone and wood.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article2592086.ece
Tsunami survivors remain under psychological stress : Swedes who
survived the tsunami in South East Asia in December 2004 that claimed
thousands of lives are still suffering health problems nearly three
years after the event. Many survivors suffer from psychological
problems, despite the majority of their number taking a year off work
and receiving medication. According to a survey that questioned 4,432
Stockholmers, a third of the women and a fifth of the men reported some
form of psychological distress. Many of those involved in the report had
lost one or more relatives in the tsunami, and others had been seriously
injured themselves. Five hundred and forty-three Swedes lost their lives
in the disaster.
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/International/nyhetssidor/artikel.asp?ProgramID=2054&Ny\
heter=&artikel=1637157
Tsunami and HIV: The rush to provide basic food, water, shelter, and
medical care after the tsunami left little time and attention for
HIV-prevention programs. Yet, as this study documents, the tsunami and
its aftermath triggered an increase in vulnerability to HIV infection in
coastal Indian communities. The research findings have important
implications for aid providers as they plan for future disasters.
http://www.oxfamamerica.org/newsandpublications/publications/research_reports/un\
derstanding-the-effect-of-the-tsunami-and-its-aftermath-on-vulnerability-to-hiv-\
in-coastal-india
Professor explores disaster-aid rejection : Travis Nelson, an assistant
professor of political science at the University of Vermont, has been
studying this curious phenomenon. He counted 129 major global disasters
over the past 25 years of an "immediate" nature -- quakes, floods,
tsunamis, storms -- with death tolls of at least 500. He discovered that
in 24 cases -- about 20 percent -- the victimized country refused at
least some of the aid being offered. Nelson discussed some of his
preliminary findings Wednesday in a brown bag lecture at UVM titled
"Rejecting the Gift Horse: The International Politics of Disaster Aid
Refusal." The refusals have seemed to come more frequently in the past
10 years or so, he said.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071005/NEWS02/71\
0050308/1007
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Early Warning Systems
India's Tsunami warning centre turns on : India's tsunami warning centre
in Hyderabad became operational today (1 October), less than three years
since the country's southern coast was devastated by the Asian tsunami.
The Rs 12,500 million (US$314 million) centre, located at the Indian
National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), is now
operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It receives data via
satellite from six ocean buoys — four in the Bay of Bengal and two in
the Arabian Sea — equipped with water pressure sensors to detect any
rise in water levels. Six more back-up buoys will be ready in the next
two months. The Indian tsunami warning system operates using three tiers
— watch, alert and warning — depending on the size of the waves
detected. Small waves, where it is unlikely damage will be caused to
India, initiate a "watch" and information is circulated to scientific
departments to monitor the situation. The centre issues an "alert" to
science departments and administration officials to be prepared to
evacuate for larger waves. There are two alerts, an orange alert which
is not made public, and a red alert when the public is advised to
prepare to evacuate if necessary. For large tsunami waves that could
cause damage, the centre issues "warning" which means actual evacuation
begins.
http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/153855/1/1893
Need for early warning systems underscored : The chaotic scenes
following the tsunami warning on September 12 in Southern Bangladesh as
well as in other Indian Ocean littoral states demonstrate the importance
of improving both early warning systems and community preparedness. The
observation came at a dialogue to disseminate 'the results of a pilot
project in Sri Lanka' at Bangladesh University of Science and Technology
(Buet) yesterday says a press release. Bangladesh can be proud of having
reduced the fatalities from cyclones in the past decades, but increasing
geological instability in the ocean south of the country poses a new
challenge in the form of tsunamis, a rapid-onset hazard that can destroy
lives and livelihoods on a massive scale unless the necessary
preparations are made. Under current technology, authorities have 2-3
days to issue warning and evacuate people from the path of dangerous
cyclones. Tsunamis allow only a few hours to prepare.
http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=6270
A Quick Study of the Tsunami Alert of 12 Sep 2007 : On 12 September 2007
the Tamil Nadu Government asked the coastal districts to remain on alert
following fears of tsunami in the wake of the 7.9 magnitude powerful
earthquake that rocked Sumatra near Indonesia. After the Union Home
Ministry sounded an alert, the State Government instructed the district
collectors of Chennai, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur
and Kanniyakumari to remain on high alert to meet any eventuality. On
being alerted, the district administrations sounded the alert. In the
aftermath of the events following the alert a lightning survey was
conducted by ADEPT's community volunteers (Community Support Leaders or
CSLs). 25 CSLs each interviewed 20 families. Information on the results
of the survey is available from
http://www.adeptasia.org/Images/45/Tsunami_alert_2007.pdf
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Fisheries and Coastal Matters
Plea opposes Mumbai sea-link project : MUMBAI: Don't encircle Mumbai
with a sea-link, instead construct a tunnel to connect Haji Ali and
Girgaum Chowpatty. That's the new plea of Mumbaikars who have come
together under the banner of the Federation of Environment and
Development Organisation to oppose the proposed Worli-Nariman point
sea-link. The petitioners have said the sea-link be in violation of CRZ
rules and has also not taken into consideration the effect of a tsunami
on the bridge. The affidavit seeks reexamining the project by a panel of
environmental and transport experts as well as citizen's groups.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/Plea_opposes_Mumbai_sea-link_project/a\
rticleshow/2435775.cms
Fishermen thirst for scientific solutions : Nagercoil: With a coastline
of over 1,076 kms, marine sector is a dominant force playing a vital
role in generating employment and earning substantial foreign exchange
in our State. Wherein, Kanyakumari district has the most of the coastal
hamlets of 60 in total. Most of these villages or hamlets are thickly
populated and the people do mainly fishing and related activities.
Majority of them are traditional fishermen and they were using
traditional and eco-friendly gears like traps, hooks and line, gill nets
and seine nets for fishing till recently and resources were kept under
optimum level of exploitation. However after the mechanisation and
motorisation of fishing crafts the level of exploitation increased many
folds and it has threatened the very existence of fish stock in many
cases. Many of the fishes, which were available during the 1960s, are
not found today. The fishermen of the district are the most skilled in
the country. Even though there is good traditional knowledge, the
fishermen of the district lack scientific knowledge about the fish and
its environment. They are not being taught about the importance of
fisheries conservation and habitat protection. This has led to over
fishing in some cases and habitat destruction in many areas. Hence the
cross section of fishermen in different parts of the district here has
urged the Government to educate them about the fish and its environment.
This can be introduced even in school level for the youths of the
coastal villages. This is necessary because many youth take up fishing
as their full time occupation after passing 10th and 12th standards. For
elders, sessions can be conducted on holidays.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/02/stories/2007100255820200.htm
NETFISH to improve quality : Kochi: Union Minister of State for Commerce
Jairam Ramesh on Monday said that the government was keen on
diversifying the fishing sector. Speaking after launching the Network
for Fish Quality Management and Sustainable Fishing (NETFISH), an
initiative of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA),
here on Monday, Mr. Ramesh said thrust would be given to Orissa, Gujarat
and Maharashtra which had vast potential for fisheries development. Mr.
Ramesh said that the government was now encouraging organic aquaculture
with the help of a Swiss government project. He pointed out that NETFISH
was an important initiative to step up quality and sustainability of
marine products. To compete on the international market, quality of
exported fish was very important. Abraham J. Tharakan, president of
Seafood Exporters Association of India, said the fishing sector was now
overcrowded. He suggested that maritime States should regulate the
number of fishing boats and find alternative sources of livelihood to
fish workers.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/03/stories/2007100352780500.htm
Skill development training for coastal youth begins : Tuticorin: A skill
development training on different trades organised by the Gulf of Mannar
Biosphere Reserve Trust and Government Polytechnic College, Tuticorin,
for youth living in the coastal areas, commenced here on Wednesday.
Official sources said that the training was aimed at enhancing the
employment potential of the youth thereby reducing their dependency on
marine resources for livelihood. The training was imparted in computer,
welding, auto CAD ( Computer Aided Desgining) in civil engineering and
mechanical engineering applications, computerized numerical control
lathe works and earth mover operation. All the training programmes
except that of computer course would be completed in three months. The
computer training, which covers usage of MS Word, Excel, Power Point,
Tally and Internet, would be given over six months.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/04/stories/2007100452650300.htm
Sudden change in behaviour of sea : Nagapattinam: Sudden change in the
behaviour of the sea was reported at several places on the 188-km
coastline of the district in the early hours of Thursday. Fishermen, who
ventured into the sea from Point Calimere, Vedaranyam and Pazhayar,
became panicky after seeing unusually high tides. According to fishermen
of Vedaranyam and Pazhayar coastal areas, the sea water receded at
several hamlets for about 100 metres and advanced at some places. The
peculiar behaviour of the sea is being noticed in the last few days.
However, fishermen from all villages ventured into the sea for fishing
as usual on Thursday.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/05/stories/2007100557160300.htm
Coral bleaching to become an annual affair : Kochi: Coral bleaching
caused by climate changes may become an annual affair from 2040, posing
serious threats to the coral population in the Indian waters, warn
scientists.
Once bleaching becomes a regular affair, it will be difficult for the
corals to recover and this will lead to its death. Eventually, the
country may lose its coral cover by the second half of the century, say
scientists of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)
who have studied the possible effects of climate change on the Indian
coral reefs as part of an Indian Council for Agriculture Research
project. Major coral reefs exist in India in the Lakshadweep, the Gulf
of Mannar, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Gulf of Kutch and
massive bleaching was reported in these areas in 1998 and 2002.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/04/stories/2007100461400300.htm
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Livelihoods
Coming: 'Fresh Fish Express' : Thiruvananthapuram: Henceforth,
fisherwomen need not have to suffer the rush in KSRTC buses or depend on
autorickshaws to take their fish to the market. Matsyafed has introduced
a new transport system, 'Fresh Fish Express', as part of which
fisherwomen in groups of six will be taken in vans to the respective
selling points. Twenty such vans will be distributed among the
beneficiaries during the inauguration of the Tsunami Emergency
Development Project-3 at Neendakara in Kollam on October 3. ''The van
provided for the fisherwomen under the Tsunami Emergency Development
Project for fresh fish marketing will reduce their inconvenience in
selling fish and reaching markets,'' said Matsyafed Chairman B.V.
Sasheendran. The project, which is now carried out in nine coastal
districts, will benefit 1,800 fisherwomen. Each 'Fresh Fish Express' van
will be owned by six fisherwomen and will also have facilities to
exhibit and preserve fish. ''The women are selected through the
panchayats. The highest number of applications are from
Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Ernakulam,'' said the Matsyafed Chairman.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20071003021553&Page=O&Headline=Co\
ming%3A+%91Fresh+Fish+Express%92&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0
PepsiCo Trains Tsunami Affected Youth For Employment : Chandigarh,
India, 10/01/2007 - PepsiCo foundation has helped more than 1500 tsunami
affected youth between the age group 18-35 years in getting employment
with some of the leading companies such as Vodafone, Airtel, ICICI Bank,
Reliance Industries, Nokia and Hero Honda. They were trained at the
Livelihood Resource Centre (LRC). This innovative employability skill
development initiative was undertaken by Pepsico Foundation in
association with the CAP Foundation in September 2005. Recently, another
batch of 300 students got graduation certificates. LRC largely aims at
providing Employability Training Program, Entrepreneurship Development
Program and Micro Enterprise Support to these youth. PepsiCo foundation
has funded LRC with a total grant of Rs 1 crore. The core focus of the
program was to rehabilitate the youth between the age group 18-35 years
who had lost family or livelihood in the disastrous environmental
calamity. The training was provided in 6 market driven skill training
courses Customer Relations & Sales, Hospitality, Automobile mechanism,
IT Enabled service, Multi Skilled training (Electrical & electronics,
plumbing, house wiring) and White Goods Services, R &A/C (refrigeration
and air-conditioning).
http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/24149/
VS vows to end woes of fisheries sector : Kollam: Chief Minister V.S.
Achuthanandan has said that the State government considers itself
duty-bound to stop the onslaught of globalisation into the fisheries
sector. He was inaugurating the State-level launch of three welfare
schemes under the Tsunami Emergency Assistance Programme (TEAP) for the
fishing community at a function on the Puthenthura IRE Grounds, near
here, on Wednesday. Mr. Achuthanandan said drinking-water shortage in
coastal areas would be solved through a Rs. 132-crore project to be
launched by the government. Health facilities in these areas would be
improved and all coastal grama panchayats would have model anganwadis.
Facilities in schools would be improved through a Rs. 41.5-crore scheme.
He said the government would green the coastal areas through a
Rs.25-crore tree-planting project. All harbours in the State would be
developed at a cost of Rs.97 crore. For the development of ports, the
government had earmarked Rs. 44.5 crore. The TEAP schemes were being
implemented through Matsyafed.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/04/stories/2007100453490500.htm
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Housing and Infrastructure
"Packages to build houses in vulnerable coastal areas" : Cuddalore: A
total number of 52,569 houses will be built in the Tamil Nadu coastal
areas vulnerable to natural disasters such as cyclone and the tsunami,
according to M.Farooqui, Special Commissioner and Commissioner for
Revenue Administration. For the purpose two packages — Rajiv Gandhi and
World Bank programmes — have been put in place to be implemented at an
aggregate cost of Rs. 1,500 crore to provide shelter and other
facilities in the coastal areas.
These would include 78 cyclone shelters, each to be built at a cost of
Rs 1.5 crore, formation of escape routes and installation of warning
systems, Mr. Farooqui told presspersons here on Thursday after attending
the review meeting on the tsunami rahabilitation programmes being
implemented in Cuddalore, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Tiruvallur,
Kancheepuram and Thanjavur districts. The construction might take about
seven months to one year, and if it were to be built in situ by
demolishing the existing tenements, each such household would be given a
monthly assistance of Rs. 500 to enable them to find alternative
accommodation till the construction was over.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/05/stories/2007100552260300.htm
State may fund tsunami rehabilitation projects : Alappuzha: The Revenue
Department is contemplating utilising funds from the State government's
own coffers for tsunami rehabilitation projects that have been approved
by the Union government but for which funds are yet to arrive. Revenue
Minister K.P. Rajendran, speaking to reporters at the tsunami-hit
Andhakaranazhi and Pallithode areas here on Monday, hinted that his
department had discussed such a temporary arrangement with the Finance
Department, taking into consideration the urgency with which the
rehabilitation works had to be completed. Though the Union government
had approved rehabilitation projects for Rs.460 crore out of the
projects worth Rs.960 crore submitted by the State government, only
Rs.68 crore has been made available so far. With this amount being
insufficient for the work, the Revenue Department would adjust with
money from the State treasury till further funds come from the Union
government.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/02/stories/2007100251460300.htm
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Children
New guidelines soon for child adoption : New Delhi: The Centre will soon
finalise fresh guidelines for child adoption so as to make the process
more transparent and ensure that there are adequate safety checks and a
tracking system. The government, Minister Renuka Chowdhury said, was
planning to create a mechanism for children orphaned or separated in
disaster situations, such as tsunami. The new guidelines would encourage
single-parent adoptions. Focus would also be on children with special needs.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/06/stories/2007100658231200.htm
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Andamans News
Minister suggests to take up rehab needs of isles on war footing : Port
Blair, Oct 05 The Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport &
Highways, Shri TR Baalu has said that the Union Territory of Andaman &
Nicobar Islands is a very sensitive region of the country and all its
requirements must be taken up on a war footing. Taking stock of the
post-tsunami repair and reconstruction of jetties and ports at a meeting
held at Raj Niwas in Port Blair, today, Shri Baalu directed all the
stake holders to take urgent steps for the repair and reconstruction of
temporary jetties and wharves in the short term and permanent ones in
the long run.
http://164.100.148.5/telegram/toppage.aspx
6-day trng. on capacity bldg. gets underway : Staff Correspondent. Port
Blair, Oct 01. A six-day training programme on capacity building in food
processing on a rice based product got underway in the conference hall
of Agriculture Department at Haddo this morning. The Development
Commissioner, Shri Janak Digal inaugurated the programme as the chief
guest. The training programme has been organized by Unnati (an NGO) in
association with Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) of the
Agriculture Department and Bio-Mass Energy Technology Centre, Mysore
with the support of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Altogether 45 trainees
from different Self-Help Groups of the Islands are participating in the
training.
http://164.100.148.5/telegram/toppage.aspx
Other Countries:
Indonesia
Kuntoro Mangkusubroto interviewed by The Jakarta Post: "Aceh, from
sharia to economic development and peace" : Jakarta, 1 Oktober 2007 -
There has been a controversy swirling over recent reports that Aceh-Nias
Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (BRR) chairman Kuntoro
Mangkusubroto said the implementation of sharia in Aceh was hindering
development. To help clear the air, The Jakarta Post's Riyadi Suparno
and Alvin Darlanika Soedarjo interviewed Kuntoro about this issue, the
agency's work and the future of Aceh following the BRR's scheduled
departure in 2009. Excerpts from the interview can be read at:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EKOI-77M7TK?OpenDocument&rc=3&emid=\
TS-2004-000147-LKA
Indonesia Emergency Appeal 28/07 – House reconstruction and risk
reduction in Western Sumatra : Caritas Internationalis has launched an
appeal for just over one million USD to assist earthquake-affected
families in Western Sumatra, Indonesia. The earthquake, measuring 8.4 on
the Richter scale, rocked Western Sumatra in early September, while
another almost equally powerful quake struck several days later. More
than 40 aftershocks were felt throughout the region. In Bengkulu
Province, the earthquake damaged some 28,000 homes, 7,905 of which were
completely destroyed. Fearing a tsunami, hundreds of thousands of people
evacuated their homes after the first earthquake. High waves did cause
some damage to villages and cities along the coast.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EVOD-77NJME?OpenDocument
Lessons Learned in Aceh Save Lives in Sumatra : The September 12
earthquake was the second to hit this region in less than eight years.
The first, in July 2000, and other natural disasters such as the
December 2004 earthquake and tsunami prompted many local communities to
begin learning what to do and how to protect themselves in the event of
a disaster."I kept remembering the Aceh tsunami while we were running
away," says Leni Yuliarti, a 20-year-old housewife and mother of a
three-month-old daughter. "The Aceh tsunami taught us a lot. It raised
our awareness of earthquakes and tsunamis." "We, the Bengkulu people,
have learned from our last experience and from Aceh Province that
whenever any big earthquake happens, it is best to run to higher
places," says Raudah, a local resident, as she watches her two sons
clean up the rubble on her home. "Also, the Red Cross and some
government departments have taught us about disaster preparedness
through disaster simulations." The American Red Cross has staff in
nearby Banda Aceh conducting ongoing recovery and disaster preparedness
activities stemming from the 2004 tsunami. Disaster preparedness
activities include training local leaders and volunteers through
disaster drills, forming rapid response volunteer teams, and creating
disaster plans for vulnerable communities. This training has reached
other communities, such as Bengkulu, thanks to the dedicated volunteers
of PMI.
http://www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_7099,00.html
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Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan orphans benefit from Tsunami Foundation : Colombo, Sri Lanka
– Former American diplomat Dr. Patrick Mendis, a Sri Lankan-born and the
University of Minnesota-educated professor, has set up more scholarships
through his Tsunami Leaders Caring 'TLC' Foundation. Several Buddhist
and Catholic students received scholarships to attend schools in his
native birthplace of Polonnaruwa. The orphans and poor students were
selected by Reverend Father Eric Fernando at the Holy Rosary Church and
Venerable Dewananda Thero at the Dharma Vijarama Temple.
http://www.aapress.com/nationalnews.php?subaction=showfull&id=1191542350&archive\
=&start_from=&ucat
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