Latest news with #disasterPreparedness
NHK
7 days ago
- Climate
- NHK
Moderately strong quakes hitting Hokkaido since late May
Moderately powerful earthquakes have been hitting Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, but weather officials say they are unlikely to trigger larger quakes. The Meteorological Agency says a magnitude-6.3 tremor occurred early Monday morning, with its epicenter located off the coast of the Tokachi region. The quake registered an intensity of four on the Japanese seismic scale of zero to seven. The agency estimates that it occurred where the Pacific Plate meets a continental plate. It was the latest in a series of earthquakes along the Pacific coast of Hokkaido since late May, which had each registered an intensity of up to four. Agency officials say they have not been strong enough to trigger more powerful quakes, and each of them is believed to have been an isolated tremor. However, the officials warn that a massive quake could occur anytime along the Chishima Trench off the coast of Hokkaido. In 2003, a magnitude-8.0 quake occurred off Tokachi. Officials are urging the public to prepare for earthquakes.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Mitchell Robinson slams home the alley-oop
How Florida homeowners can protect their properties before a hurricane The start of the hurricane season serves as reminder to check your insurance policy, as changes might have occurred during the offseason. 5:29 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Arab News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Rohingya refugees at the mercy of climate change
The Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minority from Myanmar, face an escalating crisis in Bangladesh's overcrowded refugee camps. More than a million Rohingya have fled genocide and violence in Rakhine State since 2017, seeking refuge in Cox's Bazar, where they live in sprawling, makeshift settlements. These camps, among the most densely populated spaces on earth, are increasingly vulnerable to climate change. Cyclones, floods and earthquakes threaten the region, while rising sea levels shrink Bangladesh's landmass. Without urgent international investment in disaster preparedness, infrastructure and early warning systems — and without successful repatriation — the Rohingya will be among the first and most devastated victims of climate vulnerability. Bangladesh, one of the world's most densely populated countries, is on the front lines of climate change. Its low-lying delta geography makes it acutely susceptible to natural disasters. In recent years, the frequency and intensity of cyclones have increased, with storms like Cyclone Amphan (2020) and Cyclone Mora (2017) causing widespread destruction in Cox's Bazar. Flooding, triggered by monsoon rains and rising sea levels, is a recurring threat. The 2024 monsoon season alone displaced thousands in the camps, with flimsy shelters unable to withstand heavy rains. Adding to the peril, the region lies near tectonic fault lines, with recent earthquakes in the Bay of Bengal signaling growing seismic risks. For the Rohingya, living in bamboo and tarpaulin shelters on steep, deforested hillsides, these hazards are life-threatening. The camps, home to more than 1.2 million people, are a humanitarian catastrophe waiting to worsen. Designed as temporary shelters, they lack the infrastructure to endure extreme weather. Narrow, muddy pathways become impassable during floods. Poor drainage systems exacerbate waterlogging, breeding disease in overcrowded conditions. Landslides, triggered by heavy rains, have already claimed lives. In 2023, a fire exacerbated by dry conditions and strong winds razed parts of Kutupalong camp, displacing thousands. These disasters expose the camps' fragility, where even moderate climate events can cause disproportionate harm. Rising sea levels compound the crisis. Bangladesh loses approximately 1 percent of its landmass annually to erosion and inundation, with coastal areas like Cox's Bazar particularly at risk. By 2050, experts estimate that 17 percent of Bangladesh's land could be submerged, displacing millions, including the Rohingya. For a community already confined to shrinking, flood-prone land, this is a death sentence unless drastic measures are taken. The climate crisis disproportionately harms vulnerable populations like the Rohingya, who contribute negligibly to global emissions. Dr. Azeem Ibrahim Repatriation to Myanmar remains the preferred long-term solution, but prospects are bleak. Myanmar's junta, responsible for the Rohingya's expulsion, shows no willingness to ensure safe returns. Political instability following the 2021 coup has further dimmed hopes. Two failed repatriation attempts in 2018 and 2019, boycotted by the Rohingya due to fears of continued persecution, underscore the challenge. Without a viable path to return, the Rohingya remain trapped in camps ill-equipped for the climate realities of the 21st century. Bangladesh, despite its generosity in hosting the Rohingya, cannot address this crisis alone. The country faces its own climate adaptation challenges, with a gross domestic product per capita of just $2,800 and a population of 170 million. Resources are stretched thin. The government has invested in some camp improvements, such as concrete drainage channels and cyclone shelters, but these are insufficient for the scale of the threat. With 30,000 children born in the camps annually, the Rohingya population continues to grow. By 2030, the camps could house 1.5 million people, making the need for robust infrastructure urgent. International support has been inadequate. In 2024, the UN's Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya was only 37 percent funded, leaving critical gaps in food, healthcare and shelter. Disaster preparedness receives even less attention. Early warning systems, which could save lives by alerting residents to impending cyclones or floods, are rudimentary. Many Rohingya lack access to mobile networks or radios, while language barriers hinder communication. Infrastructure upgrades — elevated shelters, reinforced roads and reforestation to prevent landslides — require billions of dollars, far beyond Bangladesh's capacity. The international community must act swiftly. First, funding must prioritize climate-resilient infrastructure. Elevated, durable shelters can withstand floods and winds. Improved drainage and sanitation systems can mitigate disease outbreaks. Reforestation efforts can stabilize hillsides against landslides. Second, early warning systems must be expanded. Solar-powered radios, multilingual alerts and community-based disaster training can empower Rohingya to respond to threats. Third, renewable energy solutions, like solar microgrids, can reduce reliance on firewood, curbing deforestation and fire risks. These measures, while costly, are far cheaper than the human and economic toll of inaction. Global powers, particularly wealthy nations with high carbon emissions, bear a moral responsibility. The climate crisis disproportionately harms vulnerable populations like the Rohingya, who contribute negligibly to global emissions. The US, EU and other G20 nations must lead funding efforts, not only through humanitarian aid but also through climate adaptation grants. Regional players, including India and China, should support diplomatic efforts to pressure Myanmar for safe repatriation while contributing to camp resilience. The Rohingya crisis is a litmus test for global solidarity. If the world fails to act, the camps will become death traps, with cyclones, floods and earthquakes claiming countless lives. The Rohingya, already victims of genocide, will face a second injustice as climate refugees in a land not their own. But with concerted international action — combining repatriation advocacy with massive investment in disaster preparedness — their suffering can be mitigated. The clock is ticking. The world must decide whether to let the Rohingya become climate change's first high-profile casualty or to act with the urgency the situation demands.
RNZ News
14-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Pacific news in brief for 14 May
Photo: Jose Fontano / Unsplash Papua New Guineans have been dealing with flooding in several areas. The Post-Courier reported several parts of Zifasing village, gardens, and cattle grazing areas have been affected. Primary school head teacher, Andipas Joseph said classes were suspended indefinitely last Thursday when the flood started. He said there were concerns about the pit toilets being flooded. Kaviananga Primary School's classrooms and teachers' houses have also been affected, as has Obo Health Center, and the Wagol community within Madang Town. A second seismic monitoring station has been mounted on Mt Bagana in central Bougainville. Mt Bagana is one of the most active volcanoes in Papua New Guinea, most recently erupting two years ago, resulting in the displacement of several thousand people. A first monitor was put in place in March. The Bougainville Government said having the two seismic monitoring stations at Mt Bagana is a milestone achievement in the region's disaster preparedness efforts. A team from Auckland University has completed a mental health survey in Tokelau. The survey is part of a Pacific-wide study led by Professors Sir Collin Tukuitonga and Jude McCool. Sir Collin said more than 300 people on Tokelau completed the surveys. The first surveys were done in Sāmoa and Tonga two years ago, and found a notable prevalence of mental health distress. Sir Collin said anxiety disorders and depression appear to be quite common. The head of the Mental Health Unit in Sāmoa, psychiatrist Dr George Tuitama, said it is the first time Tokelau has participated in a mental health awareness project. He said there has been high demand for the researchers to attend groups and deliver awareness talks. The Cook Islands Investment Corporation has announced the appointment of former Pacific Islands Forum secretary general, Henry Puna, to the Board of Cobalt Seabed Resources (CSR). CSR is a joint venture between the Cook Islands government and Global Sea Mineral Resources of Belgium. It holds exploration licences in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone as well as within the Cook Islands' exclusive economic zone. Puna served as prime minister of the Cook Islands from 2010 to 2020, and also held various ministerial portfolios, including foreign affairs, marine resources and energy. Cook Islands News reported him saying CSR is uniquely placed to make advances for the people of the Cook Islands. Sustainable management of Pacific tuna fisheries is a key issue in front of fisheries officials meeting in Niue this week. It's the 138th meeting of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). Officials will deliberate on several key issues, including progress on the review of the FFA Strategic Plan, the independent review of FFA, and updates on regional fisheries policies. Niue's Natural Resources Minister Mona Ainu'u is championing the Ocean Literacy Initiative. "My concern is that our people, especially our young people and children must understand how international and regional decisions affect their livelihoods," she said. "Our children will inherit the seeds we plant today. They will eventually take over from us, and so we need to invest now through our school curricula and outreach programs."
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Relentless' effort needed to get Maine ready for extreme weather, commission says
May 7—The Maine commission created in the wake of damaging storms has released its final report on how to prepare the state for extreme weather events. The 24-member Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission was established by Gov. Janet Mills in May 2024 after several extreme storms rocked the state in late 2023, wiping out infrastructure and flooding roadways. The commission aimed to create a long-term resiliency plan for the state as extreme storms become more common due to climate change. "Without relentless focus and attention, Maine risks losing the meaningful momentum it's gained since the devastating storms of December 2023 and January 2024, which prompted the creation of our Commission," the report said. The commission's plan has three core pillars: strengthening infrastructure and reducing disaster risk, improving disaster preparedness and response, and sustaining the state's resilience momentum. Some of the group's recommendations are already under way, including the establishment of the State Resilience Office, which will fund programs to strengthen homes, improve flood readiness, and support emergency response and communication systems around the state. View this document on Scribd The plan calls for that office to track and report the progress as the state works toward improved disaster resilience. The report by the commission highlighted the increased risk for natural disasters in Maine. Between March 2022 and May 2024, the report said, Maine experienced nine natural disasters. "The rising severity and frequency of these storms and floods raise urgent alarms about the increasing risks of extreme weather in our state and drive home the imperative that Maine plan for and invest in infrastructure resilience at the state, regional and local levels," the report said. Last week, the Mills administration announced $8 million in grant funding through the state's Community Resilience Partnership to help communities protect people, businesses, and infrastructure from flooding, storm surge and other climate effects. The report emphasized the importance of harnessing the resources available to make Maine safer in the wake of storms. "In Maine, we no longer know the storms of yesterday. Storms are now more frequent and dangerous, flooding our homes and businesses, washing out our roads and bridges, and threatening the health of our people and economy," Mills said in a prepared statement. "The changes to our weather and our climate are harming people, communities, and businesses across our state. "We must prevent as much damage as possible and be ready to quickly recover when storms take their toll. ... This plan will guide efforts in the year to come to protect this great state we all call home." A statement from Mills' office said the increasing uncertainty about federal disaster funding highlights the importance of the state's efforts to address climate change. "As the commission completed its work, the federal government proposed eliminating (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) and sunsetting critical funding programs such as the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program," the statement said. "These developments underscore the importance of state-level leadership and investment in resilience." Copy the Story Link
