1. News Service
for the week of January 18, 2013
Follow Disaster Law on:
AFRICA
Fourth Africa Regional Platform on DRR
AUC, UNISDR, 13-15 February 2013, Arusha, Tanzania
http://bit.ly/W4auwY
The AUC in collaboration with the UNISDR have organized the 4th Africa Regional Platform on DRR, planned
to take place in Arusha Tanzania from 13 to 15 February alongside the 5th Africa drought Adaptation Forum
planned for 11-12 February 2013.
The main objectives, agenda items and expected results of the 4th Africa Regional Platform on DRR are:
-To monitor progress by risk managers and partners in the implementation of the Extended Programme of Action for the implementation of the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction 2005-2015;
-To share information, expertise, lessons and tools to accelerate progress;
-To facilitate discussion and recommendations for the post 2015 disaster risk agenda for Africa; and
-To review the Africa position for the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, Geneva from 19 to 23 May
2013.
AMERICAS
House approves long-delayed $50.7bn Sandy disaster aid package
The Guardian, 16 January 2013 (Washington, USA)
http://bit.ly/Via8lK
Reporting that the Republican-controlled House of Representatives approved $50.7bn in emergency relief for
Hurricane Sandy victims on Tuesday night, ending an episode that exposed party divisions more than 10 weeks
after the storm brutalised parts of the heavily populated north-east.
ASIA-PACIFIC
Vietnam’s Buddhist response to disaster
IRIN, 16 January 2013 (Hanoi, Vietnam)
http://bit.ly/13KW9sA
Reporting that Buddhist monks, nuns and their followers have long contributed to Vietnam’s disaster relief
efforts. Sometimes equipped with canoes filled with instant noodles, woollen hats and psychosocial counsellors,
this local cadre may lack standard operating procedures, but it constitutes a largely undocumented and significant disaster relief system running parallel to governmental efforts.
Philippines: Legislator bats for land use plan in disaster risk reduction, management
Reliefweb, 15 January 2013 (Iloilo City, Philippines)
http://bit.ly/SEPFtd
Reporting that Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan is advocating for the Land Use Act since better land use
can ensure protection of life and property against onslaught of disasters. Accordingly his first priority as legislator is putting in place the provisions of the law on land use as this focuses on human life, environment, and
health. The Senator has also championed laws like the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act,
CARPER Law, Clean Air Act, and Solid Waste Management.

2. Focus on disaster preparedness increases
Republica, 15 January 2013 (Kathmandu, Nepal)
http://bit.ly/SconZt
Reporting that coordination among the municipalities of Kathmandu Valley and other authorities concerned
and the focus on management activities to reduce earthquake risk have improved in the one and half years
since the latest fatal earthquake that Valley folks experienced.
Review on ’Phl disaster law’ eyed
Philstar.com, 14 January 2013 (Manila, Philippines)
http://bit.ly/WgQIM9
Reporting that an author of the law that mandates the government to address and manage the causes and impact of calamities on Monday said there may be a need to review the law. In a statement, Sen. Loren Legarda
said three years after the enactment of Republic Act 10121 or the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Act of 2010" there may be a need to amend the law to include better provisions for disaster preparedness.
Global polio watchdog warns against migration from endemic nations
The Times of India, 11 January 2013 (New Delhi, India)
http://bit.ly/VwPqj7
Reporting that the global independent monitoring board (IMB) on polio has recommended that no country
should allow a citizen from any endemic polio state to cross its border without a valid vaccination certificate.
According to the IMB, every time a child or adult travels abroad from Afghanistan, Nigeria or Pakistan, they
risk carrying the polio virus with them. The IMB, therefore, has recommended that India should immediately
plan for a simulation exercise to test the readiness of its emergency response plans.
MENA
Oman: Health Ministry/Meeting
Oman News Agency, 14 January 2013 (Muscat, Oman)
http://bit.ly/WKd8nR
Reporting that the Medical Response and Public Health Committee for Management of Emergency Cases and
Application of International Health Regulations at the National Committee for Civil Defence (NCCD) held its
1st meeting, which aimed at revising the national plan for management of emergency cases at the health sector
and developing a work plan for 2013. It included building capacities and appointing coordinators in the governorates and all sectors, as well as completing the organizational structure for responding to emergency cases,
in addition to reviewing activities organized during 2011 and 2012.
PUBLICATIONS
Climate Change and disaster risk management
Leal Filho, Walter (ed.), Springer (2013)
http://bit.ly/Wap2YP
This book presents the latest findings from scientific research on climate variation, climate change and their
links with disaster risk management. It showcases projects and other initiatives in this field that are being undertaken in both industrialised and developing countries, by universities and scientific institutions, government
bodies, national and international agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders. Finally, it discusses current and
future challenges, identifying opportunities and highlighting the still unrealised potential for promoting better
understanding of the connections between climate variation, climate change and disaster risk management
worldwide.
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The News Service of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Disaster Law Programme is an email distribution of links to and brief quotes from articles collected through internet research of news sites
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