Breakenridge: It’s too soon to assess NDP’s response to Fort McMurray wildfire | Calgary Herald

Breakenridge: It’s too soon to assess NDP’s response to Fort McMurray wildfire | Calgary Herald: "Two weeks into the biggest crisis faced by Premier Rachel Notley and her new government, the consensus appears to be that they have handled it exceptionally.

Obviously, the success in saving much of Fort McMurray falls to the firefighters themselves, but insofar as her own duties are concerned, Notley has handled the situation quite capably. Her government responded quickly and decisively to address the needs of the evacuees and affected communities, she’s kept herself well briefed on the situation, and her daily press briefings have been comprehensive and clear."



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Leong: We didn't forget about High River, we won't forget about Fort McMurray |

Leong: We didn't forget about High River, we won't forget about Fort McMurray |: "As it turns out, we didn’t forget about High River — and there’s no way we will just forget about Fort McMurray.

Canadians have already been unbelievably generous, donating $67 million as of Friday to a special appeal from the Red Cross.

Individuals and companies have given time, expertise and materials to relief efforts.

And we all know this is just the beginning."



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Fort McMurray wildfire will leave toxic legacy: experts | The Chronicle Herald

Fort McMurray wildfire will leave toxic legacy: experts | The Chronicle Herald: "EDMONTON — Danger from the Fort McMurray wildfire that has destroyed entire city blocks in the northern Alberta city won't end when the flames stop.

Research from California fires that have burned through homes and communities suggests such blazes leave a threatening legacy of caustic ash and toxic heavy metals.

"There's no doubt, it is hazardous," said Scott Stephens, a fire scientist at the University of California Berkeley.

California has sad experience with wildfires raging through urban areas. Every summer, said Stephens, the state loses homes to marauding flames from the wood"



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AFP Disaster Relief and Fundraising Efforts Page (Updated May 11, 2016) - AFP

AFP Disaster Relief and Fundraising Efforts Page (Updated May 11, 2016) - AFP: "AFP Disaster Relief and Fundraising Efforts Page (Updated May 11, 2016)"



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Wells Fargo Donates $100,000 for Alberta Wildfire Relief Efforts

Wells Fargo Donates $100,000 for Alberta Wildfire Relief Efforts: "Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) announced today that the company will donate 100,000 Canadian dollars to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts related to the wildfire that has been burning in northern Alberta, Canada. The fire, which started May 1, 2016 near Fort McMurray, has resulted in the evacuation of thousands of residents."



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Fort McMurray donations hit record thanks to insurers, businesses

Fort McMurray donations hit record thanks to insurers, businesses: "Fort McMurray donations hit record thanks to insurers, businesses"



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P.E.I. musicians hold concerts for Fort McMurray relief effort - Local - The Guardian

P.E.I. musicians hold concerts for Fort McMurray relief effort - Local - The Guardian: "So when a fellow musician, Ritchie Bulger, asked him to take part in Fortnight: A Fundraiser for Fort McMurray Brewing Company on Friday, May 13, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., he was eager to help.

“It’s going to be very expensive. So if we can lend our talents, in any way, whatever needs to be done, we’re there,” says Kitson, who will be sharing the stage that night with Paper Lions, the Eastern Belles, the Wannabeez, Muddy Buddy and Vintage."



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The Good, and the bad, of disaster relief

The Good, and the bad, of disaster relief: "A multitude of agencies are helping, along with the federal government which will match donations to the Red Cross dollar for dollar.

Indeed many agencies suggest it is better to donate cash than items and that’s the concern.

Where there is good, there is unfortunately also bad.

The Competition Bureau recently warned Canadians to beware of scam artists claiming to be charities collecting for fire victims relief."



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Calgary firefighters describe desperate battle to save vital Fort McMurray assets | Calgary Herald

Calgary firefighters describe desperate battle to save vital Fort McMurray assets | Calgary Herald: "When Calgary firefighter Capt. Danny Freeman’s pumper truck got stuck while defending Fort McMurray’s airport, he feared they would be blown up.

Amid a gruelling 20-hour shift, Freeman and his colleagues were fending off flames from fuel tanks at the city’s airport, while also rescuing some stranded residents when their vehicle sank into muskeg."



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Fundraising for Fort McMurray: Calgary events | Globalnews.ca

Fundraising for Fort McMurray: Calgary events | Globalnews.ca: "Canadians have already raised millions of dollars in donations and Calgarians can continue to show their support while enjoying a day (or night) on the town. Here’s a look at just a few of the many fundraising events taking place over the coming days and weeks."



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Fort McMurray fire: What’s happening now, and what you’ve missed - The Globe and Mail

Fort McMurray fire: What’s happening now, and what you’ve missed - The Globe and Mail: "Read the latest on the size of fire, the progress firefighters are making, the response by government and Canadians, and how the evacuees are coping. Also, the latest photos and videos of the fire’s devastating impact"



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Marysville firefighters donate to Fort McMurray relief fund

Marysville firefighters donate to Fort McMurray relief fund: "Marysville firefighters have donated $1,000 to a fund for firefighters affected by the Fort McMurray fires.

A massive fire in the Alberta, Canada city last week prompted the evacuation of about 88,000 residents and destroyed about 2,400 homes and buildings."



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The AFP Blog: Coming Together for the Profession, the Community

The AFP Blog: Coming Together for the Profession, the Community: "The AFP Edmonton &;Area Chapter, along with AFP Canada leaders, have provided a list of services of services and resources for AFP members and others affected by the fires. I’m pleased to pass the information they collected along—you can find the list here."



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Red Cross says lion's share of donations to Fort McMurray wildfires will go directly to evacuees - Calgary - CBC News

Red Cross says lion's share of donations to Fort McMurray wildfires will go directly to evacuees - Calgary - CBC News: "The Red Cross is defending the way it allocates donations to disasters and promises that those directly affected by the Fort McMurray wildfires will get the lion's share.

"The money will be applied to the event itself, the fires and the impact, and will stay in Alberta and will go to assisting residents of the Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo area and the community to transition into recovery and then longer-term recovery," said Jenn McManus, vice-president for the Red Cross in Alberta."



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Social Impact Newsletter(Formerly the Charities and Not-for-Profit Newsletter) | May 6, 2016 | Miller Thomson

Social Impact Newsletter(Formerly the Charities and Not-for-Profit Newsletter) | May 6, 2016 | Miller Thomson: "The Alberta Provincial Government announced on May 4th that it will match donations made to The Canadian Red Cross Society (the "Red Cross") that are designated to support the residents affected by the wildfires currently blazing in the Fort McMurray, Alberta area.  Following suit, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced yesterday that the Federal Government will engage in a similar matching program with respect to individual donations made to the same organization."



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Ecuador earthquake leaves 120,000 children temporarily out of school - UNICEF | Press centre | UNICEF

Ecuador earthquake leaves 120,000 children temporarily out of school - UNICEF | Press centre | UNICEF: "EW YORK/PANAMA CITY/QUITO, Ecuador, 26 April 2016 – More than 280 schools have been damaged by the earthquake that hit Ecuador on April 16, leaving up to 120,000 children temporarily without education, UNICEF said today.  
 
“Education is a lifeline for children going through the trauma of chaos and destruction,” said Grant Leaity, UNICEF Representative in Ecuador. “It helps give them a daily routine and a sense of purpose and puts them on track for psychological recovery.” "



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Japan's Abe orders extra budget for earthquake reconstruction | Reuters

Japan's Abe orders extra budget for earthquake reconstruction | Reuters: "Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered his government on Sunday to compile an extra budget package to fund reconstruction from recent earthquakes that hit the south of the country, with an aim to put it into effect by June 1."



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More than 4,000 houses judged in ‘unsafe’ state in Kumamoto：The Asahi Shimbun

More than 4,000 houses judged in ‘unsafe’ state in Kumamoto：The Asahi Shimbun: "KUMAMOTO--More than 4,000 of the houses damaged in the series of earthquakes were assessed as "unsafe" in seven hard-hit municipalities in Kumamoto Prefecture as of April 23, the Kumamoto prefectural government announced on April 24.

The preliminary figure of 4,062 is the fourth largest in recent decades following an estimated 12,000 in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, 6,476 in the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake and 5,243 in the 2004 Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake."



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​When disaster relief brings anything but relief - CBS News

​When disaster relief brings anything but relief - CBS News: "Many of the well-meaning articles we Americans donate in times of disaster turn out to be of no use to those in need. Sometimes, they even get in the way. That's a message relief organizations very much want us to heed. Our Cover Story is reported now by Scott Simon of NPR:

When Nature grows savage and angry, Americans get generous and kind. That's admirable. It might also be a problem.

"Generally after a disaster, people with loving intentions donate things that cannot be used in a disaster response, and in fact may actually be harmful," said Juanita Rilling, director of the Center for International Disaster Information in Washington, D.C. "And they have no idea that they're doing it.""



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Nepal remembers quake victims - The Japan News

Nepal remembers quake victims - The Japan News: "KATMANDU (AFP-Jiji) — Nepal held memorial services on Sunday for the thousands killed in a massive earthquake one year ago, as victims still living in tents accused the government of failing them.

The 7.8-magnitude quake killed nearly 9,000 people and about four million survivors are still living in temporary shelters, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

"



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Neighboring prefectures send disaster specialists to quake-hit Kumamoto | The Japan Times

Neighboring prefectures send disaster specialists to quake-hit Kumamoto | The Japan Times: "Other areas in Japan with extensive experience in dealing with natural disasters have dispatched personnel to Kumamoto to help the prefecture cope with the deadly earthquakes that struck Kyushu.

Officials with expertise are helping to manage shelters for displaced residents and to dispose of the extensive rubble, among other work, in the disaster-hit areas.

The experts are from governments including Fukushima, Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, which were hit hardest by the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami."



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Thai artists hold charity concert for quake victims in Japan, Ecuador | The Japan Times

Thai artists hold charity concert for quake victims in Japan, Ecuador | The Japan Times: "BANGKOK – More than 50 Thai artists performed at a charity concert in Bangkok on Saturday to raise funds for earthquake victims in Japan and Ecuador.

The Sing for Friends event was organized by actor Chanon Rikulsurakan, who recently spent about a month filming a movie in quake-hit Kumamoto Prefecture."



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Theirworld charity launches virtual reality appeal on Nepal earthquake anniversary to get kids back in school - CBS News

Theirworld charity launches virtual reality appeal on Nepal earthquake anniversary to get kids back in school - CBS News: "LONDON-- To appreciate the scale of the emergency still facing Nepal's children a year after an earthquake shook the country to its core, you have to see it and hear it -- you have to feel it.

So a children's charity is bringing you right into the heart of the disaster, from the comfort of your own home."



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After the Earthquake: One Year Later — Medium

After the Earthquake: One Year Later — Medium: "After the Earthquake: One Year Later
April 25, 2016 marks the 1-year anniversary of the 7.8 magnitude Nepal earthquake — the first in a series of tremors — that devastated the Kathmandu Valley.
The day after the first earthquake, Splash staff in Nepal began surveying the damage at their partner schools, realizing they were the first relief aid to arrive. “The schools were very amazed,” said Kriti Baidya, a Partner Support Coordinator at Splash Nepal. Not one of Splash’s hard-wired water filtration systems had been permanently damaged. "



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Ecuadoreans in earthquake zone jostle for food, water | Reuters

Ecuadoreans in earthquake zone jostle for food, water | Reuters: "Survivors of an earthquake that killed 570 people and shattered Ecuador's coast clamored for food, water and medicine on Thursday as aid eluded more remote parts of the disaster zone.

President Rafael Correa's socialist government, facing a mammoth rebuilding task at a time of slashed oil revenues in the OPEC nation, said there was no lack of supplies - just problems with distribution that should be quickly resolved."



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Ecuador’s Millionaires to Help Fund Earthquake Disaster Relief

Ecuador’s Millionaires to Help Fund Earthquake Disaster Relief: "Correa laid out his funding plans late Wednesday, the BBC reports. For one year, Ecuador’s sales tax will rise from 12 percent to 14 percent; people with assets worth $1 million or higher will have to pay a one off sum to the value of 0.9 percent of their wealth; citizens earning more than $1,000 a month will give back one day’s salary, up to five days salary for those people earning $5,000 a month; and the state will sell off some of its holdings."



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BY THE NUMBERS: The toll from Japan’s twin earthquakes - The Washington Post

BY THE NUMBERS: The toll from Japan’s twin earthquakes - The Washington Post: "The first of two back-to-back earthquakes struck the southern Japanese island of Kyushu one week ago Thursday night. Here is a look, by the numbers, at the quakes and their aftermath."



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