Month: October 2024

On 2nd July 2024, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) unveiled a significant milestone in global disaster management efforts—the “Checklist on Scaling Up Disaster Risk Reduction in Humanitarian Action.” This comprehensive tool is poised to transform the way humanitarian, development, and peace actors address disaster risks, marking a critical step towards integrating risk reduction strategies into humanitarian planning and programming at both global and national levels.

In an era characterized by unprecedented fragility and uncertainty, the UNDRR’s checklist emerges as a pivotal resource for actors engaged in humanitarian settings. The document emphasizes that current response efforts are often limited to short-term needs, overlooking the disaster-related risks that compound crises over time. It recognizes that few humanitarian planning documents fully incorporate risk assessments or climate impacts, and even fewer appeals include measures for disaster risk reduction (DRR) or climate adaptation. This gap is particularly concerning given that protracted crises account for approximately 80% of humanitarian operations globally. By addressing root causes, humanitarian efforts can become more effective, creating resilient systems capable of withstanding future shocks.

The checklist serves as a roadmap for operationalizing risk-informed humanitarian action. It offers practical guidance to humanitarian, development, and peace (HDP) actors, outlining how to align risk reduction measures within existing frameworks. The tool promotes a systems-based approach to risk analysis, ensuring that DRR actions are adapted to national contexts and respond to specific risks. This collaborative model allows actors to identify entry points for strengthening risk reduction, creating opportunities for joint planning and implementation across sectors. Workshops and capacity-building initiatives are encouraged as part of the checklist’s rollout, ensuring broad-based engagement with DRR concepts.

Implementing

Risk-Informed Planning for Long-Term Impact

The first key step outlined by the UNDRR checklist is risk-informed planning. By embedding specific risk reduction activities into humanitarian responses, actors can ensure that their actions address both immediate needs and long-term vulnerabilities. The checklist suggests that HDP actors work together on collective outcomes, reducing risks and enhancing resilience by focusing on the root causes of crises.

This approach highlights the necessity for continuous training and engagement with both the development community and local stakeholders. For example, in Ethiopia, a workshop organized by UNDRR and OCHA in 2023 emphasized the importance of engaging development actors and mapping local capacities for disaster response. Participants from various clusters identified common priorities, including the need for private sector involvement in DRR training.

Increased awareness is another key pillar of the checklist. It encourages humanitarian actors, government entities, and donor organizations to invest in DRR measures. Raising awareness of the benefits of integrating DRR into humanitarian action not only helps to reduce future risks but also makes interventions more sustainable, improving long-term resilience in affected communities.

Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction Beyond

Humanitarian Cycles

The checklist extends its application beyond the Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC), promoting collaboration between humanitarian and development efforts. It stresses the importance of adopting a human rights-based, gender-responsive, and conflict-sensitive approach in DRR activities. This holistic perspective ensures that risk reduction measures are tailored to the specific needs of vulnerable groups and that actions contribute to broader goals of peacebuilding and sustainability.

At the core of this guidance is a call for a more integrated and coordinated response mechanism. The checklist encourages HDP actors to incorporate DRR dialogue into global and national coordination frameworks, using various information management tools to enhance risk reduction efforts. Such integration not only improves operational efficiency but also ensures that DRR becomes a permanent fixture in humanitarian and development agendas.

Global Examples of Checklist Application

The UNDRR has already piloted the checklist in several regions. In Central America’s Northern Triangle (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras), risk-informed training sessions were conducted in collaboration with OCHA, integrating the checklist into broader humanitarian needs assessments. Over 120 humanitarian and development partners collectively analyzed critical issues such as climate change, migration, and economic crises from a risk-informed perspective. This initiative demonstrated how the checklist could facilitate a unified approach to addressing humanitarian needs and risks simultaneously.

In Haiti and El Salvador, UNDRR continues to work with OCHA to systematically integrate risk perspectives into overall planning. These ongoing efforts underscore the importance of risk-informed programming, which reduces humanitarian needs and builds resilience at both the local and national levels. By ensuring that DRR is woven into the fabric of humanitarian action, the checklist aims to create a future where disaster risks are not only mitigated but also anticipated and managed through collaborative, well-informed strategies.

A Comprehensive Tool for the Future of

Humanitarian Action

The Checklist on Scaling Up Disaster Risk Reduction in Humanitarian Action is more than just a document; it is a comprehensive framework for change. As humanitarian actors navigate increasingly complex global crises, this tool provides the guidance needed to shift from reactive to proactive disaster management strategies. By implementing the checklist’s recommendations, humanitarian efforts can evolve to not only respond to immediate needs but also build the resilience necessary to withstand future disasters.

UNDRR’s checklist is poised to be a game-changer in humanitarian action, offering a clear and systematic approach to scaling up disaster risk reduction efforts. Through increased awareness, risk-informed planning, and coordinated action across humanitarian and development sectors, the checklist will help shape a more resilient, sustainable future for communities worldwide.                                         

Source:

www.undrr.org

As Hurricane Ernesto roars toward Bermuda, the Caribbean island is bracing for impact after the storm has already wreaked havoc in Puerto Rico, leaving hundreds of thousands without power or water amid an oppressive heatwave. A hurricane warning is now in effect for Bermuda, with Ernesto projected to reach the island on Saturday as a formidable Category 3 hurricane, threatening to deliver torrential rains and high winds.

Currently positioned about 605 miles (975 km) south-southwest of Bermuda, Ernesto has maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and is moving north at a pace of 13 mph. National Security Minister Michael Weeks has issued an urgent call to action for residents, emphasizing the dire need for preparedness. “I cannot stress enough how important it is for every resident to use this time to prepare. We have seen in the past the devastating effects of complacency,” he stated, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

With forecasts predicting that Ernesto will intensify into a major hurricane before its arrival, Bermuda could face significant rainfall ranging from 4 to 8 inches, with isolated areas potentially receiving up to 12 inches. “All of the guidance shows this system as a large hurricane near Bermuda,” warned the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Residents are urged to take proactive measures to safeguard their homes and families as the storm approaches.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico is reeling from the storm’s initial assault. After passing over the island as a tropical storm late Tuesday, Ernesto has left over 450,000 customers without power, and many are questioning how such extensive outages could occur from a storm that was merely a tropical system at the time. “I haven’t slept at all,” lamented Ramón Mercedes Paredes, a construction worker who plans to sleep outdoors to escape the sweltering heat. “I haven’t even been able to take a shower.”

The situation has led many residents to seek refuge in public parks, like Alexander Reyna, a 32-year-old construction worker, who lamented the lack of a cooling breeze. With no access to water or electricity, he remarked, “I have to come here because I cannot stand to be at home.” This widespread crisis is exacerbated by memories of Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, claiming nearly 3,000 lives and obliterating the island’s power grid—an infrastructure that is still in the process of being rebuilt.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory, warning of “dangerously hot and humid conditions” that threaten the health of residents, particularly those without access to generators or adequate cooling solutions. Faustino Peguero, a concerned husband whose wife suffers from multiple health conditions, expressed his fears about the current situation. With limited fuel for his small generator, he lamented, “It’s chaos.”

As concerns mount over the prolonged power outages and the overall health and safety of Puerto Rico’s 3.2 million residents—many of whom live below the poverty line—officials have been unable to provide a timeline for when power will be fully restored. The mounting stress and anxiety in the face of Hurricane Ernesto’s fury serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing vulnerabilities faced by communities in the Caribbean as they confront the dual threats of severe weather and systemic infrastructure challenges.  

Source:

www.theguardian.com

Bangladesh has been reeling under the impact of severe flash floods after days of relentless monsoon rains battered the nation’s north and southeastern regions between August 21 and 25. The prolonged downpour has triggered catastrophic flooding, affecting over 5.2 million people and forcing hundreds of thousands to seek refuge in shelters. The magnitude of the disaster has overwhelmed rural areas, crippling infrastructure and leaving communities in despair as they struggle to recover from the worst of nature’s fury.

As of the latest reports, at least 18 people have tragically lost their lives to the rising floodwaters, with rescue operations continuing across the hardest-hit districts. Around 307,000 people are currently residing in temporary shelters, having fled their submerged homes. In total, 311,419 hectares of land—ranging from vital agricultural fields to fishponds supporting local aquaculture—now lies underwater. The floods have also destroyed rural roads, cutting off access to crucial supplies and hindering communication in many parts of the country. Power outages have exacerbated the crisis, leaving nearly 928,000 people without electricity, and over 7,000 schools have had to close, disrupting the lives of millions of students.

Despite the widespread devastation, glimmers of hope have begun to emerge. Bangladesh’s Disaster Management Minister has confirmed that floodwaters are beginning to recede, offering some respite to those affected. However, the road to recovery remains long, and immediate relief efforts are underway as rescue teams—bolstered by the military and navy—continue to bring aid to displaced families. Emergency responders are delivering essential supplies, including food, water, and medical aid, to those cut off from assistance.

Communication and coordination efforts have faced significant setbacks due to limited connectivity and ongoing power outages, but the resilience of the affected communities and the dedication of relief teams remain unwavering. While the flood situation shows signs of improvement, the impact of this disaster will be felt long after the waters have fully receded. With crops destroyed, livelihoods lost, and critical infrastructure damaged, the people of Bangladesh face an enormous challenge in rebuilding their lives.

This catastrophe once again highlights the vulnerability of low-lying regions to climate-related disasters and the urgent need for sustainable flood management solutions. The international community has been closely monitoring the situation, with tools like the UNOSAT Flood Monitoring Dashboard providing real-time insights into the unfolding crisis.

As Bangladesh continues its battle against nature’s wrath, the nation’s resilience and the ongoing relief efforts stand as a testament to the strength and solidarity of its people.

Source:

Disasterscharter.org

Japan is in the grip of a powerful natural disaster as Typhoon Shanshan, the strongest typhoon of 2024, made landfall on the southern island of Kyushu. With torrential rainfall and wind speeds reaching a staggering 252 km/h (157 mph), the typhoon is threatening to unleash widespread destruction across the region. As Japan’s Meteorological Agency warns of over a meter of rain falling within 48 hours, tens of thousands of people have been urged to evacuate, while the nation braces for what could become a “major disaster.”

The typhoon touched down at approximately 8 AM in southern Kyushu, already leaving over 254,000 homes without electricity. The storm’s slow pace, moving northwards at just 15 km/h, is exacerbating concerns, as it gives Shanshan ample time to wreak havoc. The meteorological agency has predicted 1,100 mm (43 inches) of rainfall over two days, which is around half of the region’s annual rainfall.

Authorities have issued rare special typhoon warnings, particularly for Kagoshima prefecture, as residents remain on high alert. The risk of landslides in the mountainous regions is escalating, and with transport disruptions, including canceled trains and flights, the country’s infrastructure is straining under the pressure of this massive storm.

Tragically, Typhoon Shanshan has already claimed lives. Three members of a family were buried in a landslide in Gamagori city, central Japan. The victims, a couple in their 70s and their son in his 30s, perished, while two daughters survived with injuries. This heartbreaking incident is just one of many feared to occur as the typhoon continues its path of destruction.

The magnitude of the disaster has forced major automakers like Toyota to halt production in all 14 of its factories. In the meantime, Japan Airlines and ANA have canceled hundreds of flights, stranding 25,000 passengers, and railway services, including the iconic bullet trains, have been suspended.

As public broadcaster NHK TV showed videos of homes with roof tiles ripped off, shattered windows, and trees uprooted, the scale of the destruction becomes apparent. One resident in Miyazaki shared a harrowing story of how their carport roof was blown away entirely, with the violent shaking mistaken for an earthquake by their children. “It was completely beyond our imagination,” they said.

Government officials, including chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, have warned that Typhoon Shanshan’s violent winds, high waves, and storm surges are unlike anything many residents have experienced before. The slow-moving nature of the storm only increases the potential for catastrophic damage. Forecasters have made it clear: this typhoon is not to be underestimated, and the possibility of a major disaster looms large.

Japan has only issued its highest level of typhoon warnings three times before, underscoring the severity of the current situation. The last major warning was in September 2022, when five people lost their lives to a similar storm.

Typhoon Shanshan’s slow march through Kyushu is reminiscent of other recent powerful storms, and experts warn that these intense tropical cyclones are becoming more frequent due to the global climate crisis. Rising sea levels and warmer oceans are contributing to stronger, longer-lasting storms, and the effects are devastating coastal communities worldwide. The storm surge caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013, for example, was about 20% higher due to human-caused climate breakdown.

As Japan confronts Shanshan’s fury, the reality of climate change looms large. Warming oceans are fueling stronger storms, increasing rainfall, and pushing coastal storm surges higher. The impacts of these storms are becoming more destructive, more frequent, and more deadly. Typhoon Shanshan is the latest in a growing list of climate-fueled disasters, and its devastating effects will likely linger long after the storm passes.                                                                 

Source:

www.theguardian.com

South Korea is grappling with one of its most devastating bouts of heavy rainfall in recent years as torrential downpours continue to pound Seoul and surrounding metropolitan areas. Beginning in the late hours of July 16 and stretching into the afternoon of July 17, relentless rain battered the capital’s borders, causing severe flooding, landslides, and widespread transportation disruptions. The torrential rain led to catastrophic consequences across northern regions, sparking concerns for even more damage as the downpour continues.

In just a few short hours, staggering amounts of rain submerged entire neighborhoods. Panmunjom in Paju recorded an astonishing 358.5 mm of rainfall, while Baekhak in Yeoncheon saw 212.0 mm, and Changhyeon in Namyangju was hit with 202.0 mm of rain. The situation became particularly alarming when rainfall surpassed 100 mm per hour in Uijeongbu and Paju on the morning of July 17, leaving infrastructure across the region in ruins.

The flooding wreaked havoc on critical roads, causing closures in several key areas, including the main entry road to Dangdong, and roads from Jayu-ro and Munsan-eup in Paju-si. In Uijeongbu-si, the eastern main road had to be completely shut down due to impassable water levels. Vehicles, including cars and motorbikes, were abandoned in rising floodwaters, while train services on the Gyeongwon Line between Uijeongbu Station and Deokjeong Station, as well as between Mangwolsa and Uijeongbu Station, were suspended indefinitely. Electric trains were halted, leaving commuters stranded and cities paralyzed.

As emergency services sprang into action, small motorized rubber boats were deployed for rescue efforts, reaching those stranded in the worst-hit areas. Nearly 900 residents from eight cities and provinces across South Korea have been forced to evacuate, with many seeking refuge in temporary government-provided shelters. The situation remains dire as residents struggle to recover from the devastation caused by the unforgiving rains.

Landslide warnings have been issued across several districts in Seoul, with areas like Jongno experiencing the collapse of embankments in residential zones. The saturated ground has led to fears of further landslides, as more rain is forecasted to hit urban areas, including northern Chungcheongbuk-do, with rainfall expected to exceed 70 mm per hour.

The South Korean government is bracing for continued challenges as the monsoon rains show no signs of relenting. Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to stay indoors and remain cautious, warning of further disruptions to daily life, increased flood damage, and potential fatalities if the downpours persist. With more landslides and flooding expected, the nation remains on high alert as it battles one of the most intense rainstorms in recent memory.                  

Source:

Disasterscharter.org

Panama is facing a mounting public health crisis as the number of dengue cases skyrockets, prompting health authorities to declare a nationwide health alert. As of late July 2024, the Ministry of Health has sounded the alarm across four key regions: Panama Metro, Colon, Panama Oeste, and Panama Este. With 9,830 confirmed cases and 22 fatalities reported by epidemiological week 30, the outbreak is a significant cause for concern, and the entire nation is on high alert.

The presence of all four dengue serotypes—DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4—circulating in the country is fuelling the spread of this mosquito-borne illness. These serotypes, which have been persistent in Panama since 2018, have exacerbated the health crisis, putting millions at risk. The Gorgas Memorial Institute (ICGES) has confirmed the genotypes responsible for the outbreak, with the DENV-2 Asian American genotype making a notable impact on the region. Thankfully, the more dangerous Cosmopolitan genotype of DENV-2, which is driving severe dengue outbreaks in other Latin American countries, has not yet been detected in Panama.

In response to the growing threat, the Panamanian Ministry of Health issued resolution N. 1580, officially declaring the Dengue Health Alert on July 25, 2024. This move is part of a broader effort to contain the outbreak and protect communities from further harm. To bolster its efforts, the Ministry formally requested the Red Cross Society of Panama to join the national response plan. The collaboration aims to enhance the country’s capacity to manage and curb the spread of the virus, particularly in high-risk zones.

The rapid surge in cases has overwhelmed local healthcare systems, and public health officials are working tirelessly to raise awareness and implement preventative measures. Communities across the nation are being urged to eliminate standing water, a breeding ground for the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes responsible for transmitting the virus. Public health campaigns are in full swing, emphasizing the importance of mosquito control and protective measures.

While the situation remains critical, Panama’s swift response and the mobilization of national and international resources offer hope for containing the outbreak. Still, with thousands affected and new cases emerging daily, the fight against dengue is far from over. Public health officials continue to stress vigilance and community cooperation as key to overcoming this challenging crisis.

As the country braces for what could be one of the most severe dengue seasons in recent years, the focus now is on safeguarding lives, improving healthcare capacity, and preventing further escalation of this deadly disease. The weeks ahead will be crucial in determining how effectively Panama can weather this health emergency and protect its citizens from the potentially life-threatening consequences of dengue.                                                     

Source:

Reliefweb.int

As the world grapples with an escalating climate crisis, Australia finds itself at a critical juncture, balancing its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions against the backdrop of increasing natural disasters. Data released on July 6, 2024, reveals that while the Australian government claims national greenhouse gas emissions have declined by 29% since 2005, a deeper analysis shows a sobering reality: emissions that truly matter have dropped a mere 2.5%. This discrepancy raises alarming questions about Australia’s effectiveness in tackling the heat-trapping pollution that significantly contributes to global warming and exacerbates natural disasters.

In recent years, Australia has faced a barrage of climate-related disasters, from devastating bushfires to severe flooding, all heightened by extreme weather patterns linked to climate change. With a legislated emissions target of a 43% reduction by 2030 compared to 2005 levels, current projections suggest that Australia is trailing behind the necessary pace to meet this ambitious goal. But the crucial question remains: is a 43% reduction even sufficient to mitigate the impending impacts of climate change?

Australia’s “fair share” of emissions in limiting global temperature increases has been hotly debated. The nation’s trajectory indicates that it may exhaust its carbon budget for limiting warming to 1.5°C before 2030, while the 2°C threshold could be reached between 2030 and 2040. This timeline presents a dire warning: the difference between 1.5°C and 2°C of warming could lead to catastrophic impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, and human health.

In the year ending December 2023, national greenhouse gas emissions saw a slight decline of 0.5%. However, this figure masks a more troubling reality. When land use changes and forestry emissions—often referred to as “LuluCF”—are factored out, it becomes clear that emissions from the core sectors of the Australian economy, including electricity generation, transportation, and industrial processes, have only decreased by 2.5% since 2005. This highlights a concerning trend: while some progress has been made in transitioning to renewable energy, emissions from key sectors remain stagnant, undermining the nation’s climate goals.

The rise in emissions from transportation, which spiked by 3.6% as pandemic restrictions eased, underscores the volatility of progress. The increased reliance on fossil fuels in transport reveals a lack of comprehensive climate policy that addresses the sources of heat-trapping emissions across the economy. As people return to their pre-pandemic habits, the resurgence in transportation emissions threatens to erase any gains made in other sectors.

Despite the optimistic narrative propagated by government data, many analysts argue that Australia’s climate policies have yet to make a significant impact. The inclusion of land use changes in emissions accounting complicates the overall picture and may mask the actual progress—or lack thereof—in reducing fossil fuel consumption. Critics warn that without more stringent measures to curb emissions from fossil fuels, Australia risks not only falling short of its targets but also facing escalating disaster risks as climate change accelerates.

As Australia grapples with the dual challenges of meeting its emissions targets and mitigating the impacts of climate change, the stakes have never been higher. The need for urgent, comprehensive climate action is clear. Failure to address the underlying causes of emissions could lead to devastating consequences for both the environment and the resilience of communities across the nation. With climate-related disasters already wreaking havoc, the time for decisive action is now.                                                                    

Source:

www.theguardian.com

Hurricane Beryl, the first major hurricane of the 2024 season, has made history with its unprecedented strength and catastrophic impact on the Caribbean, Mexico, and the United States. Originating from a tropical wave off the coast of Africa in late June, Beryl rapidly intensified into a record-breaking Category 5 hurricane, marking the earliest storm of its kind to develop in the Atlantic’s Main Development Region (MDR).

Beryl’s wrath first hit the eastern Caribbean, making landfall on the island of Carriacou in Grenada on July 1 as a high-end Category 4 storm, with winds of 165 mph (270 km/h). The storm pummeled the region, causing severe flooding, tearing roofs off homes, and leaving communities in devastation. In Venezuela, six people tragically lost their lives, while the small, vulnerable islands in the Cayman chain saw “almost complete destruction,” with at least four fatalities reported. The Government of the Cayman Islands quickly responded, opening emergency shelters as the islands braced for further impacts.

As Beryl entered the Caribbean Sea, it strengthened into a monstrous Category 5 hurricane, fueled by warmer-than-usual waters. GOES-16 satellite imagery captured the storm’s menacing eye, surrounded by radial bands that reflected its tremendous power. By July 5, the storm made landfall on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula near Tulum, causing widespread destruction. Although Beryl had weakened to a Category 2 storm by then, its powerful winds, flooding, and infrastructure damage left communities reeling.

After passing over the Yucatán, Beryl entered the Gulf of Mexico, briefly regaining strength before making a final landfall near Matagorda, Texas, as a Category 1 hurricane on July 8. Texas bore the brunt of the storm’s fury in the United States, with catastrophic flooding, wind damage, and a tragic toll of at least 22 lives lost in the Houston area. Tornadoes spawned by Beryl’s outer bands swept across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and as far north as Indiana, New York, and Ontario, Canada.

The storm dissipated into a post-tropical system over Arkansas on July 9, before finally losing steam over Ontario the following day. However, the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl continues to unfold, with extensive recovery efforts underway across the Caribbean, Mexico, and the southern U.S. In total, the hurricane left behind a trail of devastation and heartbreak, impacting thousands of lives and changing the landscape of communities it touched.

As the 2024 hurricane season presses on, Beryl serves as a grim reminder of the increasing power and unpredictability of tropical storms, amplified by climate change and warmer ocean temperatures.                    

Source:

Disasterscharter.org