This publication advocates for persons with disabilities to become active participants, and not to be overlooked in relief and response actions.

COMPOSTELA VALLEY, 30 April 2013 (IRIN) - Health authorities in the Philippines were vigilant in keeping out infant formula donations when Typhoon Bopha hit last December, but activists are concerned the infant formula industry will succeed in pushing through legislative changes that will allow formula donations in future emergencies, making it harder to convince women in those crises to continue exclusive breastfeeding.

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The Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) was established in May 2000 and provides direct grant assistance to the poorest and most vulnerable groups in developing member countries (DMCs) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) while fostering long-term socioeconomic development. The grants target poverty reduction initiatives with the direct participation of nongovernment organizations, community groups, and civil society.

Nurni Sulaiman and Syamsul Huda M. Suhari, The Jakarta Post, Samarinda/Gorontalo | Archipelago | Sat, April 20 2013, 1:31 PM

Dozens of villages in East Kalimantan and Gorontalo have been flooded following incessant rain affecting thousands of residents.

Flooding in Tabang district in Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, inundated 18 traditional Dayak and Kutai villages.

Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari said the flood happened after the Belayan River, a tributary of the Mahakam River, overflowed its banks following heavy rain.

1. DPR Korea - Crisis Watch classifies the situation in DPR Korea as "deteriorating" in response to recent decisions by the authorities there to cut off communications with the Rep. of Korea; an order to ensure its rockets are combat-ready and targeting US bases in the region, and its declaration that it was in a "state of war" with the Rep. of Korea. Source: ICG

Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post, Padang

Conservationists in Padang, West Sumatra, have blamed forest concession holders (HPH) and timber exploitation permits (IPK) on, for the worsening floods on Siberut, one of the Mentawai Islands.

From April 5, floods covered five districts on the island for five days. It was the worst flooding ever seen on Siberut. Eleven homes were swept away or severely damaged. Three elementary schools, two community health clinics and more than 1,000 homes were swamped by up to 3 meters deep water.

Thousands in Demak and Kudus regencies in Central Java have fled after their homes were inundated by floods 1.5 meters deep.

The floods were attributed to problems with the Wulan River Dam and damage to the Sungai Welahan Drain 1 Dam in Kudus.

"We have prepared two locations that could harbor up to 5000 refugees,” Kudus Disaster Mitigation Agency officers Noor Kasiyan said on Thursday.

In Demak, 10,000 residents have taken to higher ground. The flood has cut off the road connecting Demak and Jepara, forcing vehicles to take lengthy detours.

Heavy rains caused floods and landslides in South Sulawesi province on 08 April. BNPB reports 1,000 houses flooded in six villages and roads blocked.

Strong winds and heavy rains hit Central Java on 09 April. As of 10 April, BNPB reports 300 houses severely damaged in Wonosobo regency. In Demak regency, 20 houses were damaged. The report also mentions two dead and six injured from a landslide in Kendal district.

• Floods and landslides killed 22 people in North Sulawesi in February. About 4,220 houses were damaged, 3,832 people were temporarily displaced.

• Floods killed three people and temporarily displaced around 9,923 persons in Riau in February.

• Floods killed three people and displaced around 1,145 families from six sub-districts Jayapura District, Papua.