防災世界子ども会議(NDYS)

NDYS in Action, Newsletter
Natural Disaster Youth Summit Monthly News     
                 http://ndys.jearn.jp/news/index.html  ndys@jearn.jp

Editor: Daniel Paz, 
Salta, Argentina

NDYS Youth Editors

Topics

Disaster Reduction and Climate Change

Nepal and its situation.

   

Records in Nepal history tell the world how sad its past was. A big earthquake happened in 1934 and killed 3,400 people. History says that this earthquake occurs every 75 years, and people fear a quake next year. More than 1000 people die annually in Nepal because of natural disasters and experts say the death toll is higher than ten years ago.

 The “cluster approach” was introduced this year to help reduce immediate post-flood vulnerabilities in both east and west Nepal where almost 240,000 people were displaced. The cluster system helps each agency to focus on particular areas such as food security, health, education, protection of children and women, while avoiding duplication of effort. Moreover, the cluster approach allows agencies to more effectively raise funds, and faster.

Nepal has poor infrastructure and poor housing in both the Terai (fertile flatlands) and the hills. This situation allows disasters to displace more people and make things harder for bringing in humanitarian assistance. In the Terai region floods are the common disaster while in the hills occur landslides. The mountain region is most vulnerable because of the hailstorms that cause harm to crops in both summer and winter.

Source: www.irinnews.org            

These people were displaced from their home (left). Poor infrastructure is a topic that keeps people working in order to improve the situation (right).

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Topics

Disaster Reduction and Climate Change

Training young and old people in Papua New Guinea

 

       

Since 2002, when the Centre for Disasters Reduction was established in Papua New Guinea, took place many projects for decreasing natural disasters effects. A project that started in 2006 with the support of UNICEF, teach young and old people about geology, disaster management and disaster reduction, so people can be really prepared to face a natural disaster. The Director of this Centre, Joseph Espi said that more than a hundred people have now attended to the course, which is a 10-week programme which includes material containing information about earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and many others natural disasters.

This country has 22 dormant volcanoes which threat more than 200,000 people. Also there are deadly cyclones, tsunamis and earthquakes in the history of the country and the course also identify the areas were these disasters took place and children make field trip to look at potential disasters zones.

One of the latest works was a board game orientated for children which was made by both the centre and the UNICEF’s education programme. Everyone who play the game can discover risk sites and how to act in an extreme case.

This game has been delivered to many schools in Port Moresby province, and now as it is a success, UNICEF and the Centre are printing more of it and the plan is to deliver them in five more provinces that are vulnerable to natural disasters.

                                                                                                                Source: www.irinnews.org

This is the board game that was made by the Center for Disaster Reduction with the help of UNICEF.


                                                                                                                                  

 

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Topics

Disaster Reduction and Climate Change

The preparation in Philippines continues

 

The collaboration of the NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) and local Government improved the preparation of people for facing a natural disaster. The coordinator of the Citizen’s Disaster Response Centre, Mayfourth Luneta said that the country is the best prepared in risk management, despite of the fact that Philippines is located in the called “Ring of fire” in Asia. The area in which lies this country caused an earthquake in 1990 and killed 1,600 people.

The preparation in the country was tested last year when the Typhoon Mina threatened Philippines coasts and almost 250,000 people were quickly evacuated to temporary shelters before the typhoon even hit. The typhoon Reming killed 1,200 people in 2006 and surged the necessity of develop new mitigation plans, and then the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) started building emergency evacuation sites, conducting quarterly earthquake drills in schools and exchanging information with citizens in order to introduce them into disaster management. National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) deputy administrator and spokesman Anthony Golez said improving disaster preparedness was a policy laid out in 2005 by the Arroyo government.

Now the project for building new shelters and teaching people continues but there are still problems about the government’s budget management.

These kids are refugees in this evacuation center because of the last year’s typhoon Fengshen.

Many roads were obstructed by fallen trees last year due to the Typhoon Fengshen.

 

                                             

 

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Topics

Disaster Reduction and Climate Change

Floods in the desert

 

       

In August, floods loosened the dry caked earth in Gao, northern Mali, affecting more than 1,000 people. According to the Red Cross at least 100 homes were destroyed, and the affected people are being sheltered in schools till their houses be rebuilt.   The Red Cross gave families food, hygienic supplies and other important stuffs.

The head of the world climate and data monitoring division at the Geneva-based World Meteorological Organization, Omar Baddour said that even deserts are vulnerable to destructive flash floods. They are as vulnerable as any other place to flooding. The origin of a storm takes place in the surrounding areas like seas and lakes. If the environmental conditions are right to release clouds’ moisture, there will be storms. The meteorologist explained that last year floods were linked to the climate phenomenon known as La Niña, in which ever-colder Pacific Ocean temperatures lead to flooding.

             While the
West Africa rainy season is coming to an end, thousands of families have been affected by flooding in Liberia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gambia, Senegal, Benin, Togo, Mali and Ghana, according to disaster relief organizations.

                                                                                                                Source: www.irinnews.org

More floods are being registered in the semi-arid areas of the central Africa.

                                                                                                                                  

 

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Topics

Disaster Reduction and Climate Change

Flood took by surprise Orissa - India

 

People from Orissa suffered a flood on 18° September 2008. While they were sleeping, water entered in many villages and started inundating houses so quickly that there was no time for rescuing anything. People had a terrible time while their eyes were watching goods going to water. The immediate task before the administration was to expedite the Relief, Rescue & Resettlement operation in the flood ravaged areas. The intermittent rain fall was also posing problems for the Government authorities and also adding to the miseries of the people as well.

           The situation now is that many roads are cut off from nearby towns, several livelihoods are affected and 19 districts were severe damaged. Schools and offices were partially damaged, and health centers are still submerged. Many areas are without electricity service.

One of the biggest problems is that many sources of drinking water have been polluted and this represents a real threat to citizens. Drains are blocked and it will take many days to clear them up.

Diseases such as diarrhea may affect some people. There are also reports of snake bites and the government is trying to teach people how to deal with a snake bite, using basic techniques. Fungal infections and skin diseases are common in these cases.

 

 

Volunteers are giving affected people food and utensils.

                                             

 

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Area affected - 01/10/08 (OSDMA Report)

Sl.no

District

Block

G.P

Village

Population

No of Houses Damaged

Casualty

Crop Affected (hectare)

1

Angul

3

15

62

24000

2124

3

5868

2

Bargarh

12

248

1041

175000

18790

NA

11000

3

Bhadrak

4

47

209

252991

999

5

30000

4

Bolangir

14

185

598

162735

1485

3

18594

5

Boudh

3

30

120

70114

2415

0

9175

6

Cuttack

14

219

820

879920

65000

20

80162

7

Gajapati

1

2

2

350

 

0

NA

8

Jagatsighpur

8

61

188

147427

65

3

30820

9

Jajpur

10

118

470

517375

755

7

52269

10

Kalahandi

13

240

71

20000

4864

4

16015

11

Kendrapara

9

137

518

671823

54000

15

97287

12

Keonjhar

1

1

2

900

 

1

NA

13

Kordha

10

82

401

299524

5044

2

30038

14

Nayagarh

3

18

113

79613

3883

0

5486

15

Nuapada

3

15

29

NA

2574

 

 

16

Puri

10

140

883

845456

 

8

77447

17

Rayagada

10

NA

NA

250

 

3

NA

18

Sambalpur

3

NA

NA

2109

7110

1

200

19

Sonepur

6

48

244

56000

7110

NA

15000

 

Total

137

1606

5771

4205587

110398

75

479361

                                             

 

 

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Topics

Disaster Reduction and Climate Change

Floods, what to do?

 

            

There are two types of floods .The first type develops slowly ,sometimes over a period of days .The second one develops quickly ,sometimes in just a  few minutes and without any signs of rain .Mostly this type of  flood carries rocks and mud ,and it can sweep away things in it path.

You should be aware of flood and have essential information especially if you live near water or in a low-lying area.

Before, during and after a flood there are some facts to remember that will help protect your personal health.

Before flood:

.Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your home.

.know where are gas, electricity and water switches to turn off.

.know the evacuation centers.

.do not keep valuable items in your basement.

. Install backflow valves or plugs for sewer connections like drains and toilets to prevent flood waters from entering.

.fix your fuse box and utility meters above the flood level in your house.

.have insurance that covers flooding.

.have a bag containing first aid kit ,canned food ,a non-electric can opener ,rainwear, sleeping bag, flashlight ,clean containers for water ,sturdy shoes ,portable radio ,and what ever you think ,you might need in that case,

.be aware of areas known to flood suddenly .flood can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.

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During flood:

.listen to local radio or television stations for flood information if it has been raining hard for several hours.

.turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so .disconnect electrical appliances .avoid touching electrical equipment if you are standing in water.

.move to higher ground away from rivers, streams and unsafe places.

.stay calm and reassure those around you.

.avoid walking and driving through flood water.

.do not walk through moving water .six inches of moving water can make you fall .if you have to walk in water ,walk where the water is not moving.

.do not drive into flooded areas .If you are in car abandon the car and move to higher ground.

.if you are ordered to evacuate, move fast, take only essential items, follow the designated evacuation routes and expect heavy traffic if not stay indoors ,away from windows.

After flood:

.If you evacuated, return home when local officials advise that it is safe to do so

.avoid floodwaters, it may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or other chemical substance

It may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.

.Wells should be pumped out and the water tested for purity before drinking, so listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink.

.Be careful walking around. After a flood, floors are often slippery with mud and covered with debris, including nails and broken glass.

.be careful when entering buildings, there may be hidden damage.

.Look out for animals especially snakes. Animals lose their homes in floods and they may be in your way.

.when entering the building use flashlight instead of matches or any other open flames, since gas may be trapped inside.

 

Sources:

www.fema.gov

www.bt.cdc.gov

www.dnr.state.ne.us

American Red Cross, © Copyright The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.

    

 

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Comments: There is a clear view about the global situation. Changes are affecting every corner of the Earth and there is a need of assume a compromise for saving our future.

I hope new students and professional can join projects and take it seriously.

                  By Sergio Daniel Paz;  Salta-Argentina.

 

Communication saves lives! ”  

 

 


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ndys@jearn.jp   http://ndys.jearn.jp/

NDYS Committee Office: c/o JEARN Office / NGO support center/ Hyogo International Plaza 5-1, 1-chome, Wakinohamakaigan-dori Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 651-0073, JAPAN  

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