Record number of devastating disasters in 2008: Worldwatch

Record number of devastating disasters in 2008: Worldwatch: "A new snapshot of natural disasters trends based on data from 1974 to the present reveals that in 2008, some 750 natural disasters occurred worldwide, a 22 percent decline from the record 960 that occurred in 2007. While the number of smaller catastrophes (Categories 1 and 2) fell in 2008, major catastrophes continued an upward trend."

ASEAN-led humanitarian aid effort needed in Burma

ASEAN-led humanitarian aid effort needed in Burma: "Bangkok (Mizzima) - Many international and regional aid officials are now suggesting using an ASEAN-led model for all future humanitarian assistance to Burma."

Warner warns of business failures on Cedar Rapids flood video | GazetteOnline.com - Cedar Rapids, Iowa City

Warner warns of business failures on Cedar Rapids flood video | GazetteOnline.com - Cedar Rapids, Iowa City: "It’s not your average fundraising video. Cedar Rapids Small Business Recovery created the video to spread the word that many of the reopened businesses among the 650-plus that flooded in June 2008 are in danager of failing without more help."

Reuters AlertNet - A bicycle and a megaphone: saving lives in cyclone-prone Bangladesh

Reuters AlertNet - A bicycle and a megaphone: saving lives in cyclone-prone Bangladesh: "Warnings to evacuate blasted from loudspeakers strung to palm trees and mosques as thousands of volunteers armed with megaphones, whistles and bicycles delivered coastal communities in Bangladesh the bad news - a cyclone was on its way."

Disaster Relief Group Braces for Start of Hurricane Season

Disaster Relief Group Braces for Start of Hurricane Season: "June 1st marks the start of hurricane season for the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America. Experts predict as many as 14 serious storms this year. In preparation for these storms and the damage they can do, AmeriCares has stocked disaster aid in key areas prone to hurricanes."

PRI.ORG | Philanthropy in China a year after the Sichuan earthquake

PRI.ORG | Philanthropy in China a year after the Sichuan earthquake: "Last year's Sichuan earthquake prompted an unprecedented outpouring of donations and volunteers from throughout China, but has it sustained?"

ReliefWeb » Document » Sri Lanka: "Binning" farewell to disaster

ReliefWeb » Document » Sri Lanka: "Binning" farewell to disaster: "In the village of Egoda Uyana North, in southwest Sri Lanka, Sarath Fernando is using compost bins to reduce the impacts of disasters. The village has a long history of epidemics, urban flooding and other environmental issues and was particularly affected by the December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, which destroyed apart of the community."

Charleston Daily Mail - West Virginia News and Sports - AP Featured News - Disaster aid available for some WVa nonprofits

Charleston Daily Mail - West Virginia News and Sports - AP Featured News - Disaster aid available for some WVa nonprofits : "CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Federal disaster loans are available for homeless shelters, libraries and other private nonprofit organizations in Mingo and Wyoming counties affected by recent storms, flooding and landslides."

Reuters AlertNet - Donors or survivors: who are aid groups more accountable to?

Reuters AlertNet - Donors or survivors: who are aid groups more accountable to?: "In the latest poll by the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP), which runs a global quality assurance scheme for humanitarian agencies, just a quarter of respondents rated relief groups as being highly accountable to intended beneficiaries, compared with 74 percent when it came to official donors."

Asian American Giving: Saving the Qiang children

Asian American Giving: Saving the Qiang children: "Saving the Qiang children

Last year, we were faced with two disasters in Asia. Many individuals, families, foundations and corporations in the U.S. stepped up and generously supported the disaster relief and recovery of Cyclone Nargis in Burma and the Sichuan Earthquake in China. I had invited several authors to pick a topic that was not in the mainstream news but related to the disasters. For the next several posts, we hope our readers will enjoy these stories."

Jakarta Globe

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Jakarta Globe: "International Agencies Pledge Disaster Help for Asean Nations

Denpasar. The United Nations and the World Bank pledged on Monday to work more closely with Southeast Asia in tackling the rising threat of natural disasters in the heavily-populated region.

Meeting in Bali, representatives of the World Bank and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction signed an agreement for technical assistance to help the Association of Southeast Asian Nations implement a strategy to cope with disasters and the effects of climate change."

Tax Relief in Disaster Situations

Tax Relief in Disaster Situations: "Tax Relief in Disaster Situations

Recent Tax Relief

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Relief for Victims of Storms and Tornadoes in Alabama, see News Release
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Relief for Victims of Storms and Floods in Florida, see News Release
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Relief for Victims of Storms and Floods in Arkansas, see News Release
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Relief for Vicitms of Storms and Floods in Indiana, see News Release
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Relief for Victims of Storms and Floods in Georgia, see News Release
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Relief for Victims of Storms and Floods in North Dakota, see News Release
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Relief for Victims of Storms and Floods in Minnesota, see News Release
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IRS Grants Minnesota, North Dakota Flood Victims until May 15 to File Tax Returns, Make Payments, see News Release
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Relief for Victims of Storms and Tornadoes in Oklahoma, see News Release"

American Red Cross Calls on Facebook Friends for Votes

American Red Cross Calls on Facebook Friends for Votes: "The American Red Cross today announces its participation in Bullseye Gives, the first-ever Target Facebook giving campaign. From May 10 through May 25, American Red Cross’s Facebook fans, constituents, donors and supporters can vote for the organization to win a portion of a $3 million charitable donation. The more votes, the larger the donation."

globeandmail.com: Canada, Japan to strike deal aiding relief flights

globeandmail.com: Canada, Japan to strike deal aiding relief flights: "OTTAWA — Japan and Canada will clear away a diplomatic hurdle that has in the past tangled efforts to deliver aid to Asia when Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon visits Tokyo today.

Defence officials found themselves scrambling for a pit stop when a Canadian Forces C-17 loaded with aid for victims of Myanmar's cyclone Nargis tried to deliver the goods last May, because they couldn't get a quick approval from friendly Japan to touch down at one of their airports."

Non-profits must adapt, collaborate | corridor commentator

Non-profits must adapt, collaborate | corridor commentator: "Gazette Editorial

The June flood damaged the homes of 55 non-profit organizations in Cedar Rapids, making their efforts to assist flood victims even more challenging.
The record floodwaters forced many non-profits to curtail or revise operations. But the disaster also pushed to the surface an idea discussed for years: Create a human services campus where non-profit agencies, including those displaced by the flood, could share space and costs. Convenience for patrons and lower operating expenses would be goals."

Philanthropy Program Launched For Post-earthquake Reconstruction - ChinaCSR.com - Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability News for China

Philanthropy Program Launched For Post-earthquake Reconstruction - ChinaCSR.com - Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability News for China: "According to China Youth Daily, a philanthropy program has been formally launched to fund volunteer organizations that offer reputable welfare programs"

In Asia » Blog Archive » Changes in Chinese Philanthropy One Year After the Sichuan Earthquake

In Asia » Blog Archive » Changes in Chinese Philanthropy One Year After the Sichuan Earthquake: "Prior to the earthquake, philanthropy in China was a concept and activity relegated to the ultra wealthy within the country, and to corporate philanthropy from domestic and international businesses. However, the earthquake changed all of that - beginning with a groundswell of support from tens of millions of Chinese people from all walks of life, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars in international aid."

Reuters AlertNet - Did China quake open door to foreign aid groups?

Reuters AlertNet - Did China quake open door to foreign aid groups?: "Aid workers said there were gaps in China's response to the May 12 quake, which left 80,000 dead and an estimated 5 million homeless, but they were impressed by the speed and scale of its operation.

'I don't think it's really comparable to any other country in the world,' said one. 'I'm not even sure if a Western country would have that degree of mobilisatio"

Government Donates SBD$500,000 to Bushfire Victims in Australia | Economy | Solomon Islands News

Government Donates SBD$500,000 to Bushfire Victims in Australia | Economy | Solomon Islands News: "The Solomon Islands government has handed over half a million Solomon dollars to the Australian High Commission in Honiara this morning to support the fire victims of Australia."

Aid for Myanmar's Cyclone Nargis only a fraction of aid for tsunami - Monsters and Critics

Aid for Myanmar's Cyclone Nargis only a fraction of aid for tsunami - Monsters and Critics: "Bangkok - World aid for Myanmar's Cyclone Nargis has amounted to 300 million dollars, or 2.5 per cent of what was spent on the 2004 tsunami, aid agencies said Thursday as the first anniversary of the storm approaches"