Thursday, May 19, 2011

Morimoto Hosts a Fundraiser For Japanese Disaster Relief Efforts -- Grub Street Philadelphia

Morimoto Hosts a Fundraiser For Japanese Disaster Relief Efforts -- Grub Street Philadelphia: "There’s no doubt that March’s earthquake, tsunami and partial nuclear reactor meltdowns in Japan were upsetting for the whole world in one way or another, but for Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto the triple disaster was exceptionally distressing. To help ease the suffering in his home country, Morimoto will host the fundraiser Morimoto For Japan on June 7 at his namesake restaurant in Philadelphia. Unlike the rest of us who watched the series of devastating events unfold on TV, Morimoto was on the ground in Japan the very next day after the quake and tsunami hit. Though the majority of his family and friends were out of harms way in his hometown of Hiroshima, Morimoto said that they were still traumatized by the magnitude of the destruction hundreds of miles away. “The day after the earthquake I went to Japan on a business trip and experienced the pain first hand,” Morimoto told Grub Street. “Although those painful scenes will disappear from TV as other headlines take over, the suffering will remain for months to come.”"

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Disaster Relief Troops to Get Pay Hike — from $20 a Day - Japan Real Time - WSJ

Disaster Relief Troops to Get Pay Hike — from $20 a Day - Japan Real Time - WSJ: "Members of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces may be in line for a pay bump to reflect the extraordinary circumstances of the relief missions following the March 11 disasters."

Haiti’s rebuilding work after quake: Martelly faces major challenges - Worldwide News and Events - Tops Sri Lanka - Tops.lk

Haiti’s rebuilding work after quake: Martelly faces major challenges - Worldwide News and Events - Tops Sri Lanka - Tops.lk: "MEXICO: As celebrations calm down after Saturday’s inauguration of Haiti’s new President Michel Martelly, the popular singer will get no time for a political honeymoon as he takes over power in one of the poorest nations in the world..The challenges are daunting, and even though Martelly starts in his new job with massive support from the Haitian people who elected him in a landslide victory with 67.5 percent of the vote, the pressure is on for him to deliver results fast.."

Monday, May 16, 2011

Quebec has had costliest catastrophes Manitoba is No.2 for disaster relief - Winnipeg Free Press

Quebec has had costliest catastrophes Manitoba is No.2 for disaster relief - Winnipeg Free Press: "The federal fund set up to help provinces cope with large natural disasters has paid out almost $2 billion since it was established 40 years ago, and Manitoba will be calling on it again as the bills come in from the Assiniboine River basin this spring.

Of the provinces, Manitoba has drawn the second-most money from the fund, about $298 million, most of it a result of the 1997 Red River flood. Quebec, with the 1996 Saguenay flood and the 1998 ice storm, leads the way with about $854 million."

Radio Taiwan International

Radio Taiwan International: "The Red Cross societies of Taiwan and Japan have signed a memorandum of understanding on disaster relief cooperation.

The two sides signed the document in Tokyo on Friday. In the MOU, Taiwan's Red Cross promised assistance to Japan to help with the aftermath of the March earthquake and tsunami."