Clipmarks | Disaster aid Clips

Before & After A Hurricane - Louisiana Homeland Security

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:56:07 GMT

clipped by: handleriii

Clip Source: www.ohsep.louisiana.gov

Before & After A Hurricane

Plan Ahead for Hurricane Season

When officials recommend evacuation

Who Should Plan to Leave Early

Secure Your Home

Evacuation Tips

Your Disaster Supplies Kit:

Bleach (no lemon or other additives)
• Mosquito repellent
• Extra Prescription Medicine (or refill information)
• Baby food, diapers and formula
• First Aid Kit
• Water (gallon per person per day)
• Eating Utensils
• Tarp, Rope & Duct Tape
• Toiletries
• Toilet Paper
• Batter-Operated Radio
• Flashlights
• Extra Batteries
• Extra Keys
• Sunglasses
• Eyeglasses (or prescription)
• Hearing Aid or Other Special Items
• Important Papers including Insurance, Money, Checks or Credit Cards
• Name, Address and Telephone Number of Out-of-Area Contact Person

• Can Opener
• 3-Day Supply of Non-Perishable Food
• Bedding or Sleeping Bags
• Fire Extinguisher

After A Severe Tropical Storm or Hurricane

Do not use the telephone except for major emergencies.

Be wary of dangerous or frightened animals.

Disaster Supply Kit

Tags: hurricanes, natural disasters

McCain To Katrina Victims In 2005: You're On Your Own

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:07:26 GMT

clipped by: BobbyRutan
clipper's remarks: It must be nice to have staffers writing that stuff for you.

Too bad he spent the months to follow leading the Republican charge against every Senate bill that would have actually helped Katrina victims or mandated investigations on how the Bush administration could have blown disaster response so thoroughly.

Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden jumped immediately to the aid of hurricane victims in the week after the 2005 disaster, authoring S.Amdt. 1661 "…to provide emergency funding for victims of Hurricane Katrina."

But with John McCain's help, the Republican-led Senate shot down the funding on a 41-56 vote with McCain voting against, while Biden and Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama voted for the funding.

the Republicans wanted no part of it and despite his post-Katrina pledge to "do all that is necessary to fund essential relief and recovery efforts and help those in need," John McCain was right there to shoot down every initiative that would have

Clip Source: bobgeiger.blogspot.com

McCain To Katrina Victims In 2005: You're On Your Own

It doesn’t really come as a surprise to those of us who have watched John McCain over the years that he's about to make a campaign stop in New Orleans after Hurricane Gustav hits this week. After all, he's been exploiting the troops for years, what's a few hurricane victims after that?

What does seem odd is that McCain thinks Gulf Coast residents will forget how he, George W. Bush and the then-Republican Congress turned their backs on them so many times in the months after Katrina thundered ashore in 2005

McCain was big on rote sympathy right after the disaster,

American citizens have proven time and again how generous and selfless a people we are, and now we have an opportunity to come to the aid of those in need

A week later

Our work to help the victims of this national tragedy has just begun, and Congress must do all that is necessary to fund essential relief and recovery efforts and help those in need."

Tags: john mcbush - straight talk liar, whore monger, gold digger

test

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 03:30:12 GMT

clipped by: paoel

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

To be fair, Republican plans to deal with Gustav by turning their convention into a “service event,” perhaps a telethon to raise funds for victims, are a good idea. So is the Obama campaign’s plan to mobilize its e-mail list to send aid and volunteers. But personal, voluntary aid is no substitute for an effective public response to disaster.

Gustav beckons McCain. Obama asks for help.

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:51:51 GMT

clipped by: elkhawk
clipper's remarks: McCain using a possible disaster for votes. Obama asks his supporters to help in the aftermath. Bad, bad McShrub.

Clip Source: www.oliverwillis.com

Hurricane Gustav: The Response

Senator Obama will be using his e-mail list to bring in aid for those affected by Gustav:

Sen. Barack Obama announced that his campaign would mobilize supporters from his enormous e-mail list to send money or enlist as volunteers once the impact of Hurricane Gustav becomes apparent.

McCain, on the other hand, seems to look at Gustav as a campaign backdrop and not an impending national disaster. He and his entourage are planning to go into the storm zone, a move that will likely cause first responders and other authorities to have to deal with the McCain campaign’s logistics rather than the job of dealing with the hurricane.

Of course, Republican “leaders” using storm zones as window dressing is more of the same.

Tags: mccain, gustav, obama, weather, politics

Israel Moves Toward a National Biometric Database

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:49:32 GMT

clipped by: Mohir

Clip Source: yro.slashdot.org

"Israeli's government has approved the creation of a biometric database which would contain fingerprints and facial photos of all Israeli citizens. If the bill becomes law — and it is at an early stage — the biometric information of each citizen would be embedded in their passport and national ID card. Israeli citizens would be required by law to submit to biometric testing upon request by government employees, soldiers, and policemen, so that their biometric info can be compared to the info embedded in their ID card / passport. The declared purpose of the bill is to combat forgery of passports and ID cards, and also to aid identification 'in cases of a mass disaster.' The bill was approved over objections from civil rights groups and the Israeli Bar. The article notes that no other democratic country has a comprehensive biometric database of all citizens."

Tags: privacy, government, israel

Maasailand Lions Emergency Fund

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:54:46 GMT

clipped by: mugofcoffee

Clip Source: www.nationalgeographic.com

National Geographic has created an emergency fund to help avert a potential conservation disaster: the complete loss of lions in and around Amboseli National Park, one of Kenya’s most important tourist destinations. As they teeter on the brink of extinction, these lions do not have the luxury of time. The decline in the lion population in this region has reached a critical status that needs addressing on a major scale.

In partnership with Explorers-in-Residence Beverly and Dereck Joubert, filmmakers and conservationists who have worked in some of Africa’s most remote wildlife areas for more than 25 years, National Geographic is committed to this urgent conservation issue. In addition to the fund, National Geographic is providing an emergency $150,000 grant to the Maasailand Preservation Trust, co-led by Richard Bonham and Tom Hill. The grant will aid the trust’s Predator Compensation Fund, which provides compensation to local Maasai herdsmen for livestock killed by lions

The Healing Power of Joy

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:25:36 GMT

clipped by: rowboat

Clip Source: www.a1articles.com

The Healing Power of Joy

Joy is one of the most healing things you can possibly do in your life. If you think it is not constructive to take time out to enjoy yourself, you are mistaken. Joy is constructive, creative, healing and, most importantly, powerful. Joy will bring in heavenly forces to aid you.

When you believe in joy and show it with a healthy attitude towards play, rest and rejuvenation, the universe rushes in as your partner to mirror this attitude. Can you imagine what the universe is doing when you are starring in your own personal disaster flick?

You got it. The universe is mirroring that back to you with more of the same.

So the next time you feel you do not have time to go to take a long bath, read your favorite book, watch a frivolous movie or go out for a walk at sunset to hear the birds sing, think twice. Joy is the most productive thing you can do in your life.

George Clooney and Brad Pitt Are Awesome

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:15:35 GMT

clipped by: pitim

Clip Source: myitthings.com

Goodfellas George Clooney and Brad Pitt have teamed up together with Asian officials to spread the word of charity for ongoing aid efforts in Myanmar, Burma after last month's disaster, via an Indonesian newspaper. They're hoping to get neighboring countries to allow aid to the region.

The pair has already donated $500,000 to U.S. pressure group Not On Our Watch, a charity for the same cause.

Tags: celebrities, parenting

Flood victims without insurance; FEMA had assured safety

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:21:54 GMT

clipped by: masbury
clipper's remarks: Gulfport, IL: FEMA had assured townspeople here that their new levee was strong enough to withstand historic flood. Banks no longer required flood insurance. On Tuesday, the levee broke. Now under 11 feet of water. I grew up in Burlington, IA, nearly within sight of Gulfport.

Clip Source: www.theaustralian.news.com.au

JULI Parks didn't worry when water began creeping up the levee that shields this town of about 750 people from the Mississippi River - not even when volunteers began piling up sandbags.

After all, the federal disaster aid agency FEMA had assured the townspeople in 1999 that the levee was strong enough to withstand a historic flood. Some relieved homeowners then dropped their flood insurance, and others applied for permits to build new houses and businesses.

But on Tuesday, the worst happened: the levee burst and Gulfport was submerged in 3m of water. Only 28 property owners were insured against the damage.

"They all told us, 'The levees are good - you can go ahead and build'," said Ms Parks, who did not buy flood insurance because her bank no longer required it. "We had so much confidence in those levees."

"New Orleans is the epitome - a lot of those people didn't even realise they were in a floodplain until the water was up to their roofs."

Tags: flood

Why do displays of compassion differ between East and West?

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:28:18 GMT

clipped by: gingembre
clipper's remarks: I am trying to understand

A bit more: "In many Asian countries, favors invariably create obligations, which is perhaps why people are sometimes disinclined to interfere in the problems of others. You are obliged to take care of your family, your friends, or even your fellow countrymen. But the idea of universal charity is too abstract, and smacks of the kind of unwelcome interference that Western imperialists — and the Christian missionaries who followed them — practiced in the East for too long.

The notion of "Asian values," promoted mostly by Singaporean official scribes, was partly a critique of universalist Western claims. Asians, according to this theory, have their own values, which include thrift, deference to authority, the sacrifice of individual to collective interests, and the belief that countries should not stick their noses into others' affairs. Hence, the hesitant response of Southeast Asian governments — and public opinion — to the Burmese disaster."

see source

Clip Source: search.japantimes.co.jp

Why are French, British and American warships, but not Chinese or Malaysian warships, sitting near the Burmese coast loaded with food and other necessities for the victims of Cyclone Nargis?

Why has the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) been so slow and weak in its response to a natural calamity that ravaged one of its own members?

are Europeans and Americans simply more compassionate than Asians?

Given the West's record of horrendous warfare and often brutal imperialism, this seems unlikely

Buddhism stresses compassion and mercy as much as Christianity does. Indifference to suffering is not inherent to any Asian culture.

there may be cultural differences in understanding how compassion should be applied

The ideal of universal equality and rights does owe something to the history of Western civilization

There is, so far, no Asia-wide institution to protect the human rights of Asians, let alone mankind

In many Asian countries, favors invariably create obligations

Tags: asia, values, humanitarian aid, asean

'When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?'

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:06:17 GMT

clipped by: righthand

Clip Source: www.independent.co.uk

Fisk: So al-Qa'ida's defeated, eh? Go tell it to the marines

Last week the head of the CIA claimed it was winning the battle. Nonsense, argues Robert Fisk. The extremists in the Middle East are growing stronger

Six thousand dead in Afghanistan, tens of thousands dead in Iraq, a suicide bombing a day in Mesopotamia, the highest level of suicides ever in the US military – the Arab press wisely ran this story head to head with Hayden's boasts – and permanent US bases in Iraq after 31 December. And we've won?

General Peter Pace

aid of the American war in Iraq that "we are not winning but we are not losing"

Gates, said he agreed with Pace that "we are not winning but we are not losing".

James Baker

"I don't think you can say we're losing. By the same token, I'm not sure we're winning."

Bush

"We're not winning; we're not losing."

Am I alone in finding this stuff infantile to the point of madness?

The hell-disaster of the Middle East is now spread across Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Gaza, even Lebanon

Tags: lies, usa, iraq, war, afghanistan, death, suicide, soldiers

Report says Abuse Rampant Among Peacekeepers, Aid Workers

Tue, 27 May 2008 23:41:02 GMT

clipped by: Wisco
clipper's remarks: Can you imagine anything more evil?

Clip Source: www.voanews.com

A new report by Save the Children U.K. accuses some aid workers and peacekeepers of sexually exploiting children living in countries affected by conflict and natural disaster. As Tendai Maphosa reports from London, the report says the general silence surrounding the abuse is also shocking.

Brazilian UN Peacekeeper is followed by Haitian child (Sept 2007 file photo)

Children as young as six are victims of the abuse, says the Save the Children report. It adds that the practice, though widespread, is chronically under-reported.

Save the Children's Dominic Nutt says the children rarely speak out. He says while it is difficult for any child anywhere to come forward with information on being abused it is harder for children in difficult circumstances.

'Disaster Zone Kids Are Victims of Abuse

Tue, 27 May 2008 23:15:08 GMT

clipped by: jatfla

Clip Source: news.sky.com

'Disaster Zone Kids Are Victims Of Abuse'

An international watchdog is needed to deal with widespread cases of child sex abuse by aid workers and peacekeepers, the charity Save The Children says.

The call comes after the charity found children as young as six trading sex for food, money, soap and even mobile phones in war zones and disaster areas.

"Obviously the vast majority of aid workers are not involved in any form of abuse or exploitation but in life-saving essential humanitarian work.

all humanitarian and peacekeeping agencies working in emergency situations,

must own up to the fact that they are vulnerable to this problem and tackle it head on."

No federal aid for Clayton

Sun, 25 May 2008 04:14:55 GMT

clipped by: drleescott

Clip Source: www.ajc.com

Clayton County not on list for federal aid for tornado

Clayton County was excluded from the federal disaster aid money slated for the Mother's Day tornados, and some want to know why.

"Why wasn't Clayton included?" tornado victim Mark Freeman asked.

Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell said Saturday that he thought there was still a chance Clayton could get federal aid.

Shipment of condoms beats aid relief into Myanmar

Fri, 23 May 2008 23:59:49 GMT

clipped by: Efrain Alvarado

Clip Source: www.catholicnewsagency.com

Bangkok, May 22, 2008 / 05:58 pm (CNA).- While relief agencies struggled to secure permission to bring food, medicine, and shelter to the 2.4 million cyclone victims in Myanmar, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was allowed to deliver a shipment of thousands of condoms to the region.

More than 133,000 people are dead or missing in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, which struck Myanmar on May 2. The junta ruling Myanmar has resisted accepting foreign disaster aid, granting foreign helicopters permission to distribute aid only on Wednesday.

The UNFPA is shipping to Myanmar reproductive health kits which include razors for cutting umbilical cords, clean sheets for delivering babies, and contraceptive pills and shots to last 3,390 women for three months, the Independent Online reports.

Tags: myanmar, contraceptive, disaster, aid, relief