Latest news with #ReliefWeb
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Shocking footage shows city streets submerged after devastating natural disaster: 'The earth is mad'
Heavy rainfall in Brazil earlier this month resulted in extreme flooding and a destructive landslide, displacing close to 400 people as well as animals. As detailed by ReliefWeb, the southeastern municipalities of Petrópolis, Angra dos Reis, and São Paulo were left reeling after downpours in early April caused flooding that triggered a landslide, destroying homes and displacing residents. Nearly 12 inches of rainfall within 24 hours in Petrópolis, Brazil triggered a massive waterfall-like flood byu/New_Libran inTerrifyingAsFuck A video was posted to the r/TerrifyingAsF*** subreddit that seemed to show a portion of these events, with floodwaters that looked more like a waterfall following "nearly 12 inches of rainfall within 24 hours in Petrópolis." A CNN video also showed multiple cows swept away by rushing waters. A state of emergency was declared on April 5. A "massive" landslide occurred the following day. According to ReliefWeb, at least 380 people were being sheltered as of April 6 in Angra dos Reis after being forced from their homes. This early April flooding event is just the latest in Brazil, which has seen multiple rounds of torrential downpours since the start of the rainy season. In January, heavy rainfall prompted landslides that killed "at least 10 people … in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais," also in the Southeast region of the country, per the BBC. The Northwest region experienced heavy rains, flooding, and landslides in March, resulting in injuries, displacements, property damage, and power outages, according to an earlier report from ReliefWeb. Intensifying rains, floods, and landslides come amid a range of extreme weather events in the country. A São Paulo-based journalist reported for DevelopmentAid this month that the "annual number of [climate-related catastrophes] has almost doubled since 2020 compared to the two previous decades, according to a new study by the Brazilian Alliance for Ocean Culture, supported by the Brazilian government and UNESCO." The escalating threats have brought significant financial burdens to the state, individuals, and families. The BBC reported that the "city's health centre was also damaged by the [January] landslides" — an example of the impacts on critical infrastructure that can cost money and, most importantly, lives. When was the last time you weatherized your home? This year Last year More than two years ago Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The situation in Brazil is heartbreaking but not exactly unique. Rising temperatures caused by heat-trapping pollution in our atmosphere are driving more frequent and more severe disasters like floods, storms, and more all over the world. As one Redditor commented on the video of the waterfall-like floods, "The earth is mad." The BBC noted that "neighbourhoods precariously built on steep hillsides [are] the worst hit" by landslides. More support for climate-conscious building development and urban planning could help improve safety for residents. In late 2024, the United Nations Office for Project Services announced "a new partnership with the government of Brazil … [that] will help strengthen the country's resilience to climate-induced disasters." The project prioritizes support for these precariously constructed communities and will provide "technical assistance to develop prevention and response plans in cities particularly vulnerable to landslides, flash floods and flooding." Scientists in São Paulo are also working to improve our ability to predict landslide risk using high-resolution images. According to PreventionWeb, "the new methodology [is expected to] be ready by the end of 2025, so that policymakers and planners can use it to map landslide-prone areas … more comprehensively." But you don't have to be based in Brazil to help reduce the risks of life-threatening floods and landslides. Exploring opportunities to get involved is a good start. You can also consider switching to sustainable energy sources like solar, making your next vehicle an electric model, and voting for pro-climate candidates who can affect policies and investments in infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Iraq Business
16-04-2025
- General
- Iraq Business
ICRC Iraq: Facts and Figures 2024
By John Lee. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has published its "Facts and Figures 2o24" report. Click here to download the full report in English. Click here to download the full report in Arabic. Click here to download the full report in Kurdish. To browse our comprehensive library of reports on Iraq, click here. (Source: ReliefWeb)
Voice of America
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
Taliban urge Pakistan, Iran to slow return of Afghan nationals
Afghanistan's Taliban Thursday called on neighbors Pakistan and Iran to be patient with Afghan refugees and follow an organized process for their return, considering Afghanistan's economic challenges. Pakistan and Iran have sent back more than 2.7 million Afghans to their home country since the 20-year U.S.-led war in Afghanistan ended in August 2021. Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the Taliban acting minister of refugees and repatriation affairs, separately met with Ubaid Ur Rehman Nizamani, Pakistan's charge d'affaires in Afghanistan, and Iran's ambassador to Afghanistan, Alireza Bekdali, in Kabul. In a post on social media platform X, the Afghan ministry said Kabir expressed hope that the 'host countries will exercise patience and forbearance toward refugees.' 'Islamic Emirate encourages Afghan refugees to return to the country,' said the statement. 'But due to lack of conditions at home, host countries should consider organized return process instead of forced deportation, and act according to a gradual mechanism.' Afghan expulsion Since Pakistan launched a drive in late 2023 to remove foreign nationals residing illegally in the country, citing security concerns, more than 825,000 Afghans have left, according to data compiled by the U.N. High Commission for Refugees. However, only a small fraction — roughly 40,000 — have been deported. Pakistan approved a multistage plan in late January targeting nearly 3 million Afghan citizens. It includes legally declared refugees, documented as well as undocumented migrants, and those awaiting relocation to the United States and other Western countries. That plan calls for repatriating documented Afghan migrants and undocumented Afghan citizens in Phase 1. It also calls for the removal of Afghans awaiting third-country relocation from Islamabad by March 31. Last July, Pakistan extended the validity of Proof of Registration, or POR, cards for Afghan refugees until June 30, 2025. The government's January plan to expel Afghans says POR card holders will be dealt with later. Driven largely by economic concerns, Iran deported more than 1.8 million Afghans between 2022 and 2024, according to aid website Relief Web that takes data from UNHCR. Last September, Tehran announced it plans to deport up to 2 million by March 2025. Time needed Kabir called on Iran and Pakistan to slow the pace of returns until bilateral mechanisms are put in place. 'Time should be given to hold bilateral and trilateral meetings in this regard,' the statement said. Nizamani, Pakistan's top diplomat in Afghanistan, said refugees are not a political tool, according to the Afghan ministry's post. 'He said that Pakistan's future is linked to Afghanistan, therefore, it does not use Afghan refugees as political tools, but wants the problems to be resolved through understanding,' the refugee ministry said on X. A request to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, seeking confirmation of Nizamani's remarks, was not returned. Iranian ambassador Bekdali called for a permanent solution to the issue, the Taliban ministry said. 'We want to see the illegal migrants living in Iran, refugees, provided with the necessary legal documents,' the statement quoted Bekadli as saying. There was no immediate confirmation from Bekdali's office regarding his remarks. Refugee rights groups and human rights watchdogs have repeatedly called on Iran and Pakistan to ensure that the rights of Afghan refugees and undocumented migrants are protected, and they are not forced to return to Afghanistan, where the economy is in shambles, the majority relies on aid, and women face severe curbs on basic rights and liberties.
