Despite tough challenges in fragile countries, World Bank analysis reveals glimmers of hope

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2013—Despite enduring political and economic challenges, 20 fragile and conflict-affected states have recently met one or more targets under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and an additional six countries are on track to meet individual targets ahead of the 2015 deadline, according to a new analysis by the World Bank Group released today.

The Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) is a partnership of all agencies and organizations that have a mandate to respond to natural disasters in the Pacific Island region, and that agree to coordinate international humanitarian action according to a cluster or sector approach. It was established in July 2008 by humanitarian stakeholders at the Regional Inter-Agency Contingency Planning Workshop for Humanitarian Assistance in the Pacific to deliver timely, effective and coordinated international response to natural disasters in 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs).

Link: Disaster Risk Reduction – East Asia and The Pacific Fact Sheet #1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2012

JOHANNESBOURG, 3 décembre 2012 (IRIN) - Les populations des pays en voie de développement ont appris à s'adapter à l'augmentation de la salinité, aux précipitations irrégulières et, dans certains cas, aux inondations fréquentes qui accompagnent le changement climatique. Mais une nouvelle étude a examiné de plus près certaines de ces stratégies d'adaptation et a découvert que, passé un certain seuil, elles cessaient de fonctionner.

This is an extremely dangerous system with very destructive winds. Authorities and disaster managers are on high alert and over 45 typhoon evacuation centers have opened. Once Typhoon Bopha has passed over Palau, forecasts show that it will track towards the Philippines where emergency preparedness measures are being put in place.

What are the current conditions?

Authorities and disaster managers are on high alert with current predictions that Tropical Storm Bopha (TS Bopha) will pass close to Palau as a Category 4 tropical cyclone with the potential for a significant impact.

As of this morning, TS Bopha remains a Category 2 tropical cyclone with maximum winds averaging 93 km near the centre.

This morning’s satellite imagery shows that the system is becoming better organized and is continuing to intensify.

Storm warnings remain in effect for parts of the Federated States of Micronesia, as Tropical Storm Bopha continues to intensify.

Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for parts of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Satellite imagery shows that Tropical Storm Bopha is continuing to intensify, with winds increasing up to 80 kilometres an hour.

Forecasters say Tropical Storm Bopha is moving in a westerly direction, a little over 100 nautical miles south of Chuuk.

At the UN Climate Change negotiations, speaking on behalf of the 48 countries in the Least Developed Countries (LDC) group, its Chair Dr. Pa Ousman Jarju stated, “This new report sheds light on the possibilities and constraints we face in our fight against climate change. Ignoring this knowledge can either mean our collective success or failure in stemming the pathways to loss and damage."

What are the current conditions?

Tropical Storm Bopha (26W) has developed southwest of Pohnpei and southeast of Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia.

It is currently a weak Category 1 (BoM System) tropical cyclone with winds of 35 knots near the centre. It is moving westnorthwest at about 2 mph and is expected to steadily intensify overnight and turn more to the west. Over the weekend, the system may develop into a Category 4 tropical cyclone.