New Law Encourages Cash Donations for Midwest Disaster Relief

New Law Encourages Cash Donations for Midwest Disaster Relief: "New Law Encourages Cash Donations for Midwest Disaster Relief


IR-2008-133, Nov. 25, 2008

WASHINGTON –– Taxpayers who make qualifying cash contributions for disaster relief efforts in the Midwest could benefit from a recently passed law that suspends the percentage-of-income limits that would normally apply when taxpayers deduct the contributions on their 2008 federal tax returns."

Ike donations flow slowly as global crisis takes hold | Front page | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Ike donations flow slowly as global crisis takes hold | Front page | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "everal major fundraising campaigns were launched in the weeks after the storm, with organizers pledging to use privately raised money to fill gaps in federal funding and insurance payments.

But the money raised so far — less than $19 million for the four major regional funds combined — has prompted concerns that charitable contributions will fall short."

Mainland negotiation chief praises Taiwan charity for quake aid_English_Xinhua

Mainland negotiation chief praises Taiwan charity for quake aid_English_Xinhua: "BEIJING, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chen Yunlin, chairman of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), has praised a Taiwan charity for its support to southwest China's quake-stricken areas."

Southern U. at New Orleans Locks Horns With FEMA Over Katrina Repairs - Chronicle.com

Southern U. at New Orleans Locks Horns With FEMA Over Katrina Repairs - Chronicle.com: "November 3, 2008
Southern U. at New Orleans Locks Horns With FEMA Over Katrina Repairs

At Southern University at New Orleans, hit hard by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, a battle between university officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has thrown into sharp relief an elevation-based discrepancy in efforts to repair the campus, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune."

Nonprofits hit by Ike may seek SBA loans | courier-journal | The Courier-Journal

Nonprofits hit by Ike may seek SBA loans | courier-journal | The Courier-Journal: "Some Kentucky nonprofit organizations that suffered losses from the remnants of Hurricane Ike may qualify for low-interest loans, according to the Small Business Administration. Private nonprofit groups in Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, Shelby, Trimble and 28 other counties can apply.

Examples of eligible organizations are food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges, the SBA said."

Recovery incomplete 6 months after Myanmar cyclone - International Herald Tribune

Recovery incomplete 6 months after Myanmar cyclone - International Herald Tribune: "YANGON, Myanmar: Six months after Cyclone Nargis smashed into Myanmar's coastline, killing tens of thousands of people, aid groups say once-lagging relief efforts have picked up pace but the task of rebuilding and recovery is far from finished."

Myanmar appeals for more donations for schools in cyclone-hit region_English_Xinhua

Myanmar appeals for more donations for schools in cyclone-hit region_English_Xinhua: "The Myanmar education authorities have appealed for more donations to rebuild remaining basic education schools in the cyclone-hard-hit Ayeyawaddy delta region, saying that 849 such schools are still in need of fund for the move.

According to the Department of Basic Education-1 under the Ministry of Education Thursday, out of a total of 1,785 primary, middle and high schools destroyed in the cyclone that hit the region early last May, 694 have been or are being repaired, leaving 1,091 schools yet to be done for reopening."

BURMA: Cyclone Relief - Distrust of Junta Deters Donors

BURMA: Cyclone Relief - Distrust of Junta Deters Donors: "Currently, only 50 percent of the 482 million US dollars that had been sought in a U.N. flash appeal has come in, the world body states in its assessment of pledges for the natural disaster in Myanmar, as the country is also known.

The lack of funding is expected to hamper plans to meet the humanitarian needs of millions of victims and help in the early recovery programmes. Some 13 U.N. agencies and 23 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were due to dip into these funds for ‘’critically-needed assistance’’ that was to last through April 2009."

Post-Cyclone Aid Divides Myanmar | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, FL

Post-Cyclone Aid Divides Myanmar | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, FL: "Post-Cyclone Aid Divides Myanmar

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Published: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 5:11 a.m.

SITTWE, Myanmar — The cyclone that ravaged Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta five months ago has led to an unexpectedly robust influx of foreign money and relief workers, showering aid on a small part of Myanmar’s population but leaving other, equally desperate parts of the country to fend for themselves."

Myanmar to build up to 60,000 low-cost houses in cyclone-hit regions_English_Xinhua

Myanmar to build up to 60,000 low-cost houses in cyclone-hit regions_English_Xinhua: "Myanmar has targeted to build up to60,000 low-cost houses for homeless cyclone victims in Ayeyawaddy and Yangon divisions hit by cyclone Nargis in early last May, a local weekly reported Tuesday.

The low-cost housing projects have been implemented by 69 private companies since June under the country's rehabilitation program and so far, 7,539 of such houses have been donated by the government and well-wishers, the Pyi Myanmar quoted the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement as saying."

International Day for Disaster Reduction | Pakistan Times!

International Day for Disaster Reduction | Pakistan Times!: "United Nations officials are marking the International Day for Disaster Reduction with a call to invest more to make hospitals safe in the event of natural hazards such as earthquakes and cyclones, stressing that doing so not only saves lives but is highly cost-effective.

Hospital safety is the theme of this year’s Day, which falls on the third anniversary of the earthquake in South Asia – a disaster which destroyed 73 per cent of the health facilities in the affected area of Pakistan."

Myanmar Times & Business Reviews

Myanmar Times & Business Reviews: "Following his meeting in Bangkok, Mr Ban is also expected to visit Myanmar to hold talks on the country’s political situation.

During a previous visit to Yangon, Mr Ban’s special envoy, Mr Ibrahim Gambari, reportedly said the UN chief would visit Myanmar in the third week of December."

What have the LTTE’s NGO/INGO friends being doing in Sri Lanka? | Asian Tribune

What have the LTTE’s NGO/INGO friends being doing in Sri Lanka? | Asian Tribune: "What have the LTTE’s NGO/INGO friends being doing in Sri Lanka?
Fri, 2008-10-03 05:54

By Shenali Waduge

Sri Lanka’s NGO/INGO sector number 3500 (7 per every square mile). Many of those who question the actions of these “humanitarian aid workers” base their argument on the type 'work' that has been done by them, why they are unmonitored & why they lack transparency and impartiality. As the Sri Lankan armed forces march to liberate the North of LTTE hegemony what these NGOs/INGOs have been doing can be finally unearthed (pun intended) & expose who actually benefitted from their 'humanitarian' kindness."

No 'means test' pledge as flood fund pays out - Morpeth Herald

No 'means test' pledge as flood fund pays out - Morpeth Herald: "ALL flood victims will be entitled to cash from the Morpeth appeal fund, it has been confirmed.
Fears had been expressed that any pay-outs would be means-tested, with only those on low incomes or in particular hardship able to benefit."

Slow recovery for Burma's cyclone victims | csmonitor.com

Slow recovery for Burma's cyclone victims | csmonitor.com: "Mya Sein Ken, Burma - The locals say things will never be the same in Mya Sein Ken, deep in the heart of the cyclone-savaged delta in southern Burma (Myanmar). Almost 300 people vanished when cyclone Nargis struck here in May. The torrent obliterated the rice crop, and locals worry they won't have enough food to survive the fall. The storm swallowed scores of houses, leaving hundreds homeless."

Tax Relief in Disaster Situations

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


Updated Sept. 25, 2008

The IRS is postponing until Jan. 5, 2009, filing and payment deadlines for Louisiana and Texas taxpayers affected by Hurricane Ike. The agency is continuing to monitor the impact of Ike. Watch this page for updates.

Tax relief is also available to victims of Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana. Certain filing and payment deadlines have been postponed until Jan. 5, 2009. See the news release for more details."

Global Voices Online » Myanmar: Aid still needed

Global Voices Online » Myanmar: Aid still needed: "Five months ago, Tropical Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar which killed more than eighty thousand people and left 50,000 missing and 20,000 injured. It was the worst natural disaster which devastated the southern part of Myanmar."

Poor roads hamper cyclone recovery in Myanmar

Poor roads hamper cyclone recovery in Myanmar: "PYAPON, 19 September 2008 (IRIN) - Bad roads continue to restrict the delivery of much-needed relief and recovery supplies to survivors of Cyclone Nargis.

The end of the rainy season this month would be the best time to begin road and bridge rehabilitation work, according to specialists.

As well as impacting organised relief operations, bad roads mean fewer private Burmese donors are reportedly travelling to the affected areas, while commodity prices are up due to higher transport costs."

CNN || Galveston residents can return Wednesday

CNN || Galveston residents can return Wednesday: "(CNN)
Residents of Galveston Island, Texas, who were evacuated before Hurricane Ike strafed the Texas Gulf coast can return to their homes Wednesday, but they will find few comforts, Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas said Saturday."

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media: Supporting the Red Cross: Social Media Road Block

Via Beth Kanter's Blog.

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media: Supporting the Red Cross: Social Media Road Block: "he National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has issued a roadblock encouraging radio stations to simultaneously air public service advertising in support of the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund."