World Wide Help

Earthquake and Tsunami in Samoa

2009-09-30T10:05:00.002Z

Via the BBC

At least 65 people were reported dead in Samoa, more than 20 in American Samoa and at least six in Tonga.

Tags: Pacific / Samoa / American Samoa
Earthquake, Tsunami, Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Relief, Rescue,

Government-authorised hospitals for the treatment of H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) in India

2009-08-06T08:01:00.005Z

Symptoms: cough, headache, fever, bodyache, fatigue, chills, nausea, sore throat, vomitting, diarrhea.

City	Hospital	Address	Contact
Chennai	King Institute of Preventive Medicine (24/7 Service)	Guindy, Chennai – 32	(044) 22501520, 22501521 & 22501522
	Communicable Diseases Hospital	Thondiarpet, Chennai	(044) 25912686/87/88, 9444459543
	Government General Hospital	Opp. Central Railway Station, Chennai – 03	(044) 25305000, 25305723, 25305721, 25330300
Pune	Naidu Hospital	Nr Le'Meridian, Raja Bahadur Mill, GPO, Pune– 01	(020) 26058243
Pune	National Institute of Virology	20A Ambedkar Road, Pune– 11	(020) 26006290
Kolkata	ID Hospital	57,Beliaghata, Beliaghata Road, Kolkata - 10‎	(033) 23701252
Coimbatore	Government General Hospital	Near Railway Station, Trichy Road, Coimbatore– 18	(0422) 2301393, 2301394, 2301395, 2301396
Hyderabad	Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital,	Erragadda, Hyderabad	(040) 23814939
Mumbai	Kasturba Gandhi Hospital	Arthur Road, N M Joshi Marg, Jacob Circle, Mumbai - 11	(022) 23083901, 23092458, 23004512
	Sir J J Hospital	J J Marg, Byculla, Mumbai - 08	(022) 23735555, 23739031, 23760943, 23768400 / 23731144 / 5555 / 23701393 / 1366
	Haffkine Institute	Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai – 12	(022) 24160947, 24160961, 24160962
Kochi	Government Medical College	Gandhi Nagar P O, Kottayam - 08	(0481) 2597311,2597312
	Government Medical College	Vandanam P O, Allapuzha - 05	(0477) 2282015
	Taluk Hospital	Railway Station Road, Alwaye, Ernakulam	(0484) 2624040 Sathyajit - 09847840051
	Taluk Hospital	Perumbavoor PO, Ernakulam 542	(0484) 2523138 Vipin - 09447305200
Gurgaon & Delhi	All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)	Ansari Nagar, Aurobindo Marg Ring Road, New Delhi– 29	(011) 26594404, 26861698 Prof. R C Deka - 9868397464
	National Institute for Communicable Diseases	22, Sham Nath Marg, New Delhi – 54	(011) 23971272/060/344/524/449/326
	Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital	Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi – 01	(011) 23741640, 23741649, 23741639 Dr. N K Chaturvedi – 9811101704
	Vallabhai Patel Chest Institute	University Enclave, New Delhi- 07	(011) 27667102, 27667441, 27667667, 27666182
Bangalore	Victoria Hospital	K R Market, Kalasipalayam, Bangalore – 02	(080) 26703294 Dr. Gangadhar - 94480-49863
Bangalore	SDS Tuberculosis & Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases	Hosur Road, Hombegowda Nagar, Bangalore – 29	(080) 26631923 Dr. Shivaraj - 99801-48780

Tags: Asia / India / Epidemic
H1N1 Influenza, Swine Flu

Swine Flu updates

2009-04-26T19:31:00.005Z

Twitter has been full of Swine Flu tweets—they're up to 100 per minute, a friend notes.

Here are a few links.

WHO updates:
24 April 2009
Influenza-like illness in the United States and Mexico
25 April 2009
Swine influenza - Statement by WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan
26 April 2009
Swine flu illness in the United States and Mexico - update 2

WHO is not recommending any travel or trade restrictions.

For more information
Thomas Abraham
Communications in English
Mobile: +41 79 516 3136
E-mail: abrahamt@who.int
Fadela Chaib
Communications in English and French
Mobile: +41 79 475 5556
E-mail: chaibf@who.int
Sari Setiogi
Communications in English and Bahasa
Mobile: +41 79 701 9467
E-mail: setiogis@who.int
Gregory Hartl
Communications in English, French, German and Spanish
Mobile: +41 79 203 6715
E-mail: hartlg@who.int
Aphaluck Bhatiasevi
Communications in English, Thai and Hindi
Mobile: +41 79 484 2997
E-mail: bhatiaseviap@who.int

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says (go to that page for some useful links and advice, and also here):

Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the United States. Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection also have been identified internationally. The current U.S. case count is provided below.

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
State # of laboratory
confirmed cases

California 7 cases

Kansas 2 cases

New York City 8 cases

Ohio 1 case

Texas 2 cases

TOTAL COUNT 20 cases

International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
See: World Health Organization

As of April 26, 2009 9:00 AM ET

Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with swine influenza viruses.

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
State	# of laboratory confirmed cases
California	7 cases
Kansas	2 cases
New York City	8 cases
Ohio	1 case
Texas	2 cases
TOTAL COUNT	20 cases
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection See: World Health Organization
As of April 26, 2009 9:00 AM ET

Swine Flu FAQS on CBC.ca

A Google Map by Niman

View H1N1 Swine Flu in a larger map
Pink markers are suspect
Purple markers are confirmed
Deaths lack a dot in marker

Tags: Americas / USA / Mexico
Swine Flu, H1N1, Epidemic,

Italian Red Cross Sends Immediate Response to Area Affected by Quake in Italy

2009-04-06T16:21:00.003Z

Italian Civil Protection is leading the overall response to the Earthquake in Italy, and the Italian Red Cross has activated its national operations center in Legnano, which is coordinating all regional branches for the emergency response. The Italian Red Cross has sent a mobile kitchen which can provide 10,000 meals per day as well as two soup kitchens to respond to the needs of the L'Aquila Hospital. In addition, 36 ambulances, 2 emergency units, 10,000 blankets and 16 dog rescue teams. The orphanage in San Gregorio is being evacuated by the Red Cross who will care for the children.

The Italian Red Cross is seeking donations, which can be made by credit card on its website.

Continuing Coverage on Earthquake in Italy

2009-04-06T15:26:00.002Z

Continuing coverage of the Earthquake in Italy is available in English at the Rome Post. Coverage in Italian continues at RAI News 24, Corriere Della Serra and at Virgilio Notizie.

Early Video Coverage of the Earthquke in Italy

2009-04-06T14:57:00.002Z

A number of videos about this morning's Italian Earthquake centered in the medieval fortess hill town of L'Aquila have been uploaded to Daily Motion and can be seen on their website on a page dedicated to coverage of the Equarthquake.

Italy Earthquake Destroys Onna, Damages Roman Baths

2009-04-06T14:13:00.004Z

Electricity has been cut to 15,000 users in central Italy as a precaution following the eathquake in Central Italy. There are reports of damage to the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. The town of Onna is reported to be completely destroyed.

6.3 Magnitude Quake Rocks Central Italy

2009-04-06T12:36:00.005Z

Ninety people are reported dead and 50,000 homeless following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake which occurred in central Italy in the early morning hours of April 6, 2009. It is believed that entire towns have been destroyed as a result of the quake which hit at 3:32 am local time. The quake struck 95 km NE of Rome, Italy and 115 miles SE of Perugia, Italy in the Abruzzo region. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has declared a state of emergency for the region, where the worst damage is reported in the picturesque medieval town of L'Aquila which suffered severe damage in earlier earthquakes occurring in 1461 and 1703.

Terror Blasts in Mumbai - MumbaiHelp provides coverage

2008-11-28T14:53:00.002Z

Since the terror attacks in Mumbai on the 26th of November, 2008; MumbaiHelp has been providing instant updates on the situation including information on important contact numbers, lists on the injured and dead, and volunteering with contacting missing people amongst others as well as a call for blood donors.

Tags: Asia / India / Mumbai
Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Rescue

Bihar floods - appeal from Save the Children

2008-09-08T18:10:00.002Z

Save the Children, India (part of the international Save the Children Alliance), has details of their aid plans here.

You can support them in these ways (copied from their site):

Bank transfer:
Indian nationals
Account Name: Bal Raksha Bharat
Account Number: 52205574986
Bank Name: Standard Chartered Bank
Bank Address: NARIAN MANZIL 23 BARAKHAMBA ROAD NEW DELHI – 110 001
IFSC code (NEFT/RTGS) SCBL0036001
Foreign nationals
Account Name: Bal Raksha Bharat
Account Number: 52505054724
Bank Name: Standard Chartered Bank
Bank Address: 10 SANSAD MARG, NEW DELHI 110011
Code: SCBLINBBXXX

Cheque
1. Download the donation form (PDF) and print it out.
2. Write a cheque payable to ‘Bal Raksha Bharat'
3. Send your cheque along with the donation form to Save the Children, Bal Raksha, Bharat

Online Donation (recommended as most cost-efficient)
Donation page

Tags: Asia / India / Bihar
Kosi, Floods, Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Relief, Rescue,

Appeal: AID INDIA and Pratham (Bihar floods)

2008-09-06T22:22:00.003Z

Email forwarded by Priyanka Joseph.

Editor's note: 1 lakh = 100,000

Bihar has been hit by a terrible flood. It is one of the worst disasters to strike the country.

It is worse than the Tsunami, worse than the Gujarat Earthquake.

Several million people have been affected. Entire districts - villages and towns - have been washed away. The number of people dead is not even known. There are over 6 lakh people living in 200 relief camps. In Saharsa district alone there are 2 Lakh people in 68 relief camps. Similar numbers are living in camps in Madhepura, Supaul, Araria, Purnia and Katihar districts. And many more (those who are better off and have relatives and friends outside) have fled these districts.

This is NOT the usual Bihar flooding. Usually the Kosi river overflows its banks and floods the villages nearby. The people in these villages are prepared for it.

We are calling it "Flood" - because we don't know what else to call it. What's happening now is not a river overflowing - it is the result of a river suddenly changing course.

This year, the Kosi completely changed course - sweeping away several districts. Thousands of villages that had never experienced flooding before are now destroyed - submerged in water. The people living there were completely taken by surprise. Many have died. Others have lost everything - they are without clothes, food, homes, money.

The scale of the disaster is much bigger than the Tsunami. But because it is Bihar and people think this is like the usual annual flooding, there has been very little coverage of the flooding and very little support pouring in for relief. There is an urgent need to inform people about the nature of this disaster and to mobilize support.

For a week now, AID INDIA's Bihar team has been on the field organizing rescue and relief efforts in the affected districts. So far we have been able to organize some rescue operations and have provided food, milk for children, and medical support for children in several camps. But this is not enough - the scale of the disaster is very large and the need is a lot more. Pratham teams in Bihar have also started working with us and we will now be scaling up the relief efforts significantly.

After the initial shock, the government has been taking a lot of steps to organize rescue and relief operations. The army has rescued people from most of the places. The immediate focus needs to be on food, clothing and health needs of the people in relief camps. Some food is being provided at the camps - but there is a severe shortage and lot of rioting to get at the food. Children are the most affected.

Our immediate focus is on children - there are about 2 lakh children in all the camps. Milk, biscuits and food for children is the first priority now. We are trying to ensure that milk and food reaches all the children in all the relief camps.

The second need is clothes. Most people left their homes with what they were wearing. We need children's clothes, saris for women, undergarments, lungis and lots of blankets. Disease outbreaks are becoming a serious threat and we need medicines.

After the immediate phase, the need will be to focus on health, education, shelter and livelihood needs. But at present, given the scale of the problem, getting past the immediate relief and survival needs are the most critical issues to address.

AID INDIA and Pratham field teams need a lot of support at this time. We need:

1. Funds:
You can donate online at http://www.eurekachild.org/biharflood
or you can send a check payable to AID INDIA (mention Bihar Flood Relief) to:
AID INDIA
Post Box No: 4903, Gopalapuram, Chennai - 600086, India.
Phone: +91-44-42106493 / 28350403

2. Collect Materials:
Food: Milk Powder and Biscuits
Clothes: Children's clothes, saris, lungis and blankets
Medicine: ORS Packets, Crocin/Paracetamol, Metronidazole, Folic acid tablets, Amoxycillin, Cough Syrup, Gentamycin, Cotrimaxazole, Cotton & Bandage.

3. Volunteer:
To raise awareness and mobilize support, help with collection and packaging.
We also need volunteers to work with our relief teams at the field (but for that you must spend at least 10 days in the affected areas and must be very healthy and ready to work in difficult circumstances.)

To keep everyone updated on what's happening at the field level, we have set up a separate website for the relief efforts: www.eurekachild.org/biharflood

Please direct your friends and others you know to this site. We will keep posting new updates, reports, photos and other information from the field at this site. It is important that people across the country (and the world) understand the scale of this disaster. The six districts submerged is almost one-fifth of Bihar under water!

For more information please contact: eurekachild@gmail.com or
Prabha: +91-98403-51132 (prabha.balaraman@gmail.com)
Gomathi: +91-94453-91090 (gomathiaid@gmail.com)

Tags: Asia / India / Bihar
Kosi, Floods, Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Relief, Rescue,

Bihar floods - CASA's response

2008-09-04T11:47:00.002Z

Forwarded by Nisha Purushothaman of IFP

A BRIEF NOTE ON CASA’S RESPONSE TO BIHAR FLOOD- 2008

CASA is registered as a Society under the Societies’ Registration Act XXI of 1860 and has a history of responding to emergencies and disasters since 1947 and is mandated to work in a purely secular manner in all spheres of its programme activities including humanitarian assistance programmes. CASA’s response is regardless of considerations of caste, creed, language, religion, ethnic origin or political affiliation.

In response to the current devastating flood situation in Bihar, we have mobilised a team of 30 staff members and volunteers with vehicle and other logistical support to render relief assistance in Supaul and Madhepura districts. The relief measures that we plan to undertake are as follows:

Relief Distribution:

Ready to Eat Food: 5000 families in the affected area of Bihar, will be provided with ready to eat food i.e. 1 Kg Jaggery (molasses) and 10 Kg Flattened Rice, as an immediate response.

Dry Ration: 10000 dry ration kits will be provided to the affected families in Bihar. Each kit will consist of 10 kgs Rice, 2 kgs Lentil, 1 litre Edible Oil, 1 kg Salt, 200 gms Chilli Powder & 200 gms Turmeric powder.

Household articles: 10000 relief sets will be provided in Bihar. Each set will consist of the following items:
• 1 Woolen blanket
• 1 Dhoti
• 1 Saree
• 12 pcs. of Aluminum Utensils
• 1 Cotton floor mat
• 1 Bed sheet
• 4 meters of cotton (Markin) Cloth
• Plastic containers (10 litre each) for storage of water
• Cotton Wool Roll (250 gm.)
• 5 pieces of Gamcha (towel)

Plastic Sheet: 10000 pieces of plastic sheets (Size 15” x 12” of 170 GSM) will be provided to erect immediate temporary shelter for the families who have lost almost everything in the flood waters. These sheets will also provide the women with the much needed privacy during this crisis period.

Transit Shelters: CASA proposes to construct 625 transit shelters using locally available resources like bamboo, GCI sheets, bamboo mats, ropes and basic hardware materials like nails etc. in the affected areas, which will house 2500 affected families. The proposed shelter will be of dimensions 15ft x 40ft. and will have four equal compartments of 10ft x 15ft each to house four families. Therefore 625 shelters will provide accommodation for 2500 families.

Latrines: It is proposed to set up 625 field latrine units along with the transit shelters to cater to the sanitation needs of 2500 affected families. Each unit of the latrine with consist of 4 toilets, i.e. one for each family.

After the initial assessment by the senior level staff of CASA, meetings were held with the local partners and institutional heads of the partner organisations to share the assessment, formulating the response needs, operational strategies and finalization of locations for our response. The programme will be implemented directly by CASA in collaboration with local partners. The CASA Delhi headquarter will coordinate the overall operation which includes expertise in disaster response, logistics and emergency communications.

The total cost of appeal made by CASA to its donors is US $ 1.76 Million. This is however not a commitment and our response would be directly proportionate to the quantum of funds that are made available by our resource sharing partners against this initial appeal.

We will continue to maintain close contact with the Government at Central, State and Districts level and also collaborate with the State Inter Agency Group Coordination Mechanism to ensure that the relief work is undertaken meaningfully and without overlap or duplication. We look forward to close and good cooperation of all concerned in our common mission to urgently respond to the needs of the flood victims of Bihar.

NOTE: -

For More information on CASA’s Humanitarian Assistance to Bihar Flood Victims Please visit http://www.casa-india.org/index.php

CASA (Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action)
Rachna Building, 2 Rajendra Place, Pusa Road,
New Delhi - 110008
Ph: (+91 11) 25730611, 25730612, 25731218,
25731219, 25761579, 25767231
Fax: 011-25752502
E-mail: casa@del6.vsnl.net.in
Website: www.casa-india.org

Tags: Asia / India
Floods, Kosi, Bihar, Breaking News, Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Relief, Rescue

Bihar Floods wiki

2008-09-03T04:09:00.002Z

Amrit Hallan has begun a Bihar Floods wiki on his site. He would welcome as much help as you can give him. So if you have useful information about aid efforts in Bihar, please go register on the wiki and pitch in. You could also mail Amrit at amrit AT amrithallan DOT com.

Tags: Asia / India
Floods, Kosi, Bihar, Breaking News, Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Relief, Rescue

Bihar, India - Floods - an appeal from Goonj

2008-08-31T18:09:00.005Z

Received via email.

Dear Friends,

Here is a recent picture of Bihar inundated by one of the worst floods ever in recent history. [Photo below the fold - ed.]

For many years now, GOONJ has been working extensively in Bihar through its grassroots partners, with a special focus on the annual floods.

This is an URGENT APPEAL to join GOONJ in its campaign RAHAT FLOODS to provide support to the victims of this unprecedented disaster. The situation is grim and millions of people are affected by the devastation.

With a wide network of organizations and people present in most of the affected districts we are confident of reaching relief at the earliest possible. While the dispatch of material has already started the relief efforts will continue for the next few months.

Possible options for joining this campaign

Material support-

Dry ration, Medicines, candles & matchbox, torch & batteries,
utensils, tarpaulin, feeding bottles, buckets, ropes, bedsheets, all
kind of usable clothing & footwear. (For the list of collection
centers, please log on to www.goonj.info

Logistical support-

¨ Transport support to reach the material to effected areas
¨ Space for collection centers
¨ Facilities for local pickups,
¨ Transportation of material from different cities to GOONJ
processing centers in Delhi, Chennai & Mumbai

Needed- large quantities of

¨ Rice, Chiwra, biscuits, packed eatables
¨ Water purifier tablets
¨ Basic medicines
¨ Sarees and children clothing
¨ Tarpaulins or thick polythene
¨ Bedsheets
¨ Export surplus/ Cotton cloth for making sanitary napkins
¨ Mosquito nets
¨ Stoves, cooking and water storage utensils/buckets

Financial support-

¨ Donations in India- Please send cash/cheque/draft in the name of GOONJ and send it to
GOONJ..,
J-93, Sarita Vihar,
New Delhi- 76

(Kindly send your full name & address with the contribution for receipt/accounting purpose. (All donations to GOONJ in India are tax exempted u/s 80 G of IT act.)

¨ Overseas donation can reach us through Cheque (in the name of GOONJ with your full particulars) or by wire transfer with an information on yasmeengoonj@gmail.com

Rotate it (valid only for overseas donations ) through Wacovia Bank, New York swift code- 2000193008933, GOONJ, A/C No- 2591101004644

Bank- Canara Bank, H block, market Sarita Vihar, New Delhi- 76

Swift Code- CNRBINBBDFS

Contact- GOONJ

H.O Delhi-J-93, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi- 76
Tel.- 011-26972351, 41401216
goonjinfo@gmail.com, anshugoonj24@gmail.com
GOONJ Mumbai- Mr. Rohit Singh Tel.- 9322381600, rohitgoonj1@gmail.com
GOONJ Chennai- Ms. Padma Tel.- 9842665320, padmagoonj@gmail.com

Do spread the word, talk to your friends & relatives, help us to organise campaigns in the offices, residential areas and schools.

With best,

Anshu Gupta (Ashoka Fellow)
Founder Director
GOONJ.

Tags: Asia / India
Floods, Kosi, Bihar, Breaking News, Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Relief, Rescue

Hurricane Gustav Resources

2008-08-31T03:45:00.009Z

Volunteers on the world wide web are getting ready to help as Hurricane Gustav gathers fury heading towards the Northern Gulf Coast. Here are some efforts:

* Gustav Information Center is up
* Follow live updates on Gustav at Twitter
* IRC channel - #interdictor to coordinate volunteer efforts
* UPDATE: Hurricane Gustav Wiki is here
* Wikipedia entry on Hurricane Gustav

Hurricane Gustav is still being described as a Category 4 storm, but meteorologists are forecasting that the storm will gain strength as it passes over Cuba and may emerge in the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 5 hurricane.

USA Today

See the full Hurricane Advisory here.

Tags: America, Gustav, Hurricane Gustav, Breaking News, Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Relief, Rescue

Google LatLong: Imagery for Sichuan, China Earthquake

2008-05-16T12:24:00.001Z

The Google Earth and Maps Team now has post-earthquake satellite imagery of Sichuan, China and the surrounding area. Google LatLong: Imagery for Sichuan, China Earthquake . The first scenes captured the rescue effort to assess and repair dam damage near Dujiangyan City" and were obtained from NSPO, Taiwan's national space agency. The images will be updated on a regular basis and can be viewed using Google Earth. which is free.

The Bookworm Earthquake Relief [Chengdu, Suzhou, Beijing]

2008-05-15T18:15:00.006Z

From The Bookworm (in Chengdu, Suzhou, Beijing). Please direct queries to the email address below.

From: Jenny Niven
Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 00:10:14 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: THE BOOKWORM EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

Dear friends,

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who have contacted us with their kind wishes of support for our colleagues and friends at The Bookworm Chengdu. Thankfully, everyone is safe.

The Bookworm are co-ordinating our efforts to help the people of Sichuan during this difficult time. The Bookworm Chengdu has become a focal point in assisting those groups currently providing on the ground support for those in Sichuan affected by the tragedy.

The Chinese Red Cross are currently setting up operations in affected areas. In the meantime, smaller groups are doing what they can to provide food, water, shelter and medicines.

The Bookworm are assisting these groups, until the larger organisations are able to provide support.

What you can do:

The Bookworms in Beijing, Suzhou and Chengdu will be gathering much needed emergency materials to be sent to victims of the earthquake.

As advised by the Chinese Red Cross, we are collecting emergency donations only of:

TENTS
DRIED FOOD
PRACTICAL CLOTHES
QUILTS
EMERGENCY BLANKETS
MONEY FOR WATER AND MEDICINES

Our friends at DHL will ship all collected donations to The Bookworm Chengdu on Saturday 17th May.

For Beijing:
Please drop off all donations by
4pm on SATURDAY 17th MAY
Call Alex or Jenny on 132 6421 7462

For Suzhou:
Please drop off all donations by
4pm on SATURDAY 17th MAY
Call Pierre on 138 6210 4118

For Chengdu:
Please drop off all donations by
1pm on SUNDAY 18th MAY
Call Bronwyn on 158 2826 1084

Beyond these dates, our efforts will continue in accordance with advice from the Chinese Red Cross.

Thank you for your desperately needed support.

The Bookworm | Gongti North Road, Yard 4 | Beijing | China | Beijing | 100000 | China

Tags: Asia / China
Earthquake, Breaking News, Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Relief, Rescue, Appeal,

New Burma / Myanmar Maps from Google Maps

2008-05-15T16:41:00.003Z

A maplet for Google Maps showing roads in Burma, Union of Myanmar has been created and can be accessed here. Additional maps for Cyclone Nargis and Burma / Myanmar can be accessed at Google Maps.

Tags: Asia / Myanmar Cyclone, Nargis, Floods, Breaking News, Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Relief, Rescue

Malteaser Reports 80,000 Deaths in Labutta Township, Burma, Union of Myanmar

2008-05-15T16:22:00.003Z

Malteser International, which through its affiliates has a history of extending aid to the sick and injured dating back to hospices of the Knights of Malta in the middle ages, has been working in Burma / Myanmar since 1996 on small scale health issues. Because of its relationships with various bishops and government approval, Malteser has been able to deliver on-the ground aid to the affected since shortly after Cyclone Nargis, and has been providing frequent reports from the region as well as photos.

First results of assessment report from the delta area revealed an extremely serious situation. There is an urgent need of relief assistance for water, sanitation, food, shelter and medical supplies. The hospital in Labutta is not operational anymore.

According to local authorities more than 80,000 death cases are estimated in the area of Labutta Township. The people live on rice soup which was donated by the communities and the rice portions are insufficient. Many people suffer of burns or bruises by flying palm tree leaves or bamboo shields leaving big wounds on the backs of the people. Main problems are also diarrhea and skin diseases. Furthermore, there are a large number of lactating mothers for whom the horrible situation they suffer is leading to feeding problems and health risks for the babies. The number of pregnant women is high and midwives are essential but not available.

Tags: Asia / Myanmar Cyclone, Nargis, Floods, Breaking News, Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Relief, Rescue

Appeal - Avaaz.org [Burma cyclone]

2008-05-14T22:09:00.002Z

This landed in many inboxes last week, as well as in comments on this blog. There were other things to do at that time, and the petition seemed to be doing well (it still is, having collected €1,150,448 as of this writing), so we took it off our radar. But here you go now.

From the petition:

..Avaaz is raising funds for the International Burmese Monks Organization and related groups, which will transmit funds directly to monasteries in affected areas.

In many of the worst-hit areas, the monasteries are the only source of shelter and food for Burma's poorest people. They have been on the front lines of the aid effort since the storm struck. Other forms of aid could be delayed, diverted or manipulated by the Burmese government--but the monks are the most trusted and reliable institution in the country.

The petition is here. For more information about Avaaz's work to support the Burmese people, click here.

Tags: Asia / Myanmar
Cyclone, Nargis, Floods, Breaking News, Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Relief, Rescue, Appeal

Appeal - Archbishop of Yangon on behalf of Myanmar Disaster Relief Committee

2008-05-14T00:16:00.003Z

This just in, after the initial appeal we published here.

Dear ~

Thanks for your concern and kind offer at this time of great need of us. I feel more than ever, the world as a family. The cyclone hit and greatly damaged many parts of Yangon and Pathein Dioceses. We have formed one central committee for both dioceses. (MDRC: Myanmar Disaster Relief Committee)

The numbers of death is rising from each day: it is not less than 100,000 people who lost their lives.

In both dioceses, the church is carrying out emergency works, such as, making and bringing the victims into camps, providing food, water, medicines, and immediate roofing and shelters.

Many volunteers, lay people, priests, nuns, Catholic doctors, nurses are now in the field working on these needs. In the archdiocese of Yangon, Karitas Yangon together with Karitas Myanmar, we have sent out the first emergency aid to some most hit places and villages. Now the second group is operating in larger scales for food, water and medicine headed by Catholic doctors and nurses and religious sisters who has medical experiences. Most probably they will be coming back afte 4 or 5 days later with more information and details.

The need is enormous and vast. Over thousands and thousands of families in the archdiocese of Yangon alone, were greatly effected. We surely need your immediate support in kind or cash.

As for the other damages, beginning from our St. Mary’s Cathedral, all Churches in Yagnon City and near by parishes, Bishop’s compound, clergy houses, convents and boarding places have all been effected.

We will give you more details and updating news later.

With our deep appreciation and thanks,

Charles Bo

Archbishop of Yangon

For the transfer of money, please just send them to:
Name of the Bank: ICBC ( Asia)
33/F., ICBC TOWER
3 GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL
HONG KONG
Account No.: 701-056-00059-0
Account Name: THE PROCUREUR GENERAL IN HK OF THE SOCIETY OF THE MISSIONS ETRANGERES
Swift Code: UBHKHKHH

Please inform Fr. Emile Louis Tisserand by email that it is for ‘MDRC’
Email: procupic@netvigator.com
Tel: (852) 2849 8187 and 2849 8188
Fax: (852)2849 8319

Tags: Asia / Myanmar
Cyclone, Nargis, Floods, Breaking News, Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Relief, Rescue, Appeal,

Series of bomb blasts in Jaipur, India

2008-05-13T23:07:00.002Z

A series of between five and nine bomb blasts in Jaipur killed at least 60 people and injured at least 150 others.

The explosion off at around 7.20 and the others followed in the next 15 minutes. They were planted in the old part of the popular tourist destination in Rajasthan, a few hours drive from the capital, Delhi,

Some news reports:

High alert; experts off to Jaipur Hindustan Times
80 killed, 150 wounded in Jaipur blasts Times of India
Pink turns red Outlook
Serial blasts rock Jaipur; 60 killed India Today
60 killed, 200 injured in Jaipur blasts NDTV

8 blasts in Jaipur; 60 dead 200 injured CNN-IBN
Bombings rock Indian tourist city BBC
Seven bombs kill 60 people in India's Jaipur Reuters India
Jaipur serial blasts kill 70, injure 150 The Statesman

Since the press are providing adequate coverage, and the local authorities seem to be in control of the situation, we will not be following this story in detail. But please feel free to use the comments space if you want more info, and we'll try and help.

Tags: Asia / India
terrorism, bomb, blasts, Jaipur,

Burma / Myanmar Armed Checkpoints: "No Foreigners Allowed"

2008-05-13T22:36:00.003Z

Police barred foreign aid workers from reaching cyclone Nargis survivors in hard-hit areas of Burma (Union of Myanmar) Tuesday, while emergency food shipments backed up at the main airport for Myanmar's biggest city. Checkpoints manned by armed police were set up Tuesday on roads leading to the Irrawaddy River delta and all international aid workers and journalists were turned back by officers who took down their names and passport numbers. Drivers were interrogated. "No foreigners allowed," one policeman said after waving a car back. Supplies piled up at Yangon's main airport, which does not have equipment to lift cargo off big Boeing 747s. Read the entire story

Tags: Asia / Myanmar Cyclone, Nargis, Floods, Breaking News, Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Relief, Rescue

Burma / Myanmar: Is Air Dropped Aid the Answer?

2008-05-13T22:04:00.001Z

As debate hots up on whether aid air drops should be used in Mynamar, international aid agency Oxfam said today (13 May) that often when the international community has chosen to parachute in aid to a disaster or conflict zone it has been hugely expensive and failed to reach the most vulnerable people. Air dropping aid does not guarantee food and other relief supplies reach the people most in need. In many cases it's the strongest and fittest who get to the aid first and not the sick or injured who most need help and assistance. Read the entire article

Tags: Asia / Myanmar Cyclone, Nargis, Floods, Breaking News, Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Relief, Rescue

Bogalay - Some Aid Available, Relief Workers Needed

2008-05-13T16:01:00.001Z

A human rights activist in Bogalay, Burman, Union of Myanmar said disease and poor sanitation in the township in the aftermath of the recent cyclone have placed a heavy burden on healthcare provision. Children are starting to have dysentery in the monasteries due to the lack of toilets,” she said.Children are starting to have dysentery in the monasteries due to the lack of toilets,” she said. The Bogalay activist said NGOs were helping refugees in the township, but they remained in difficulty. “The UNICEF people are treating patients properly. I heard that their staff are very tired and asking for new people. Read the entire report

Tags: Asia / Myanmar Cyclone, Nargis, Floods, Breaking News, Disaster, Emergency, Humanitarian, Relief, Rescue