A programme is working to enhance Sri Lanka’s recovery from the 2004 tsunami by improving environmental infrastructure in the coastal district of Ampara.

The Environmental Remediation Programme (ERP) focuses on solid waste management, environmental restoration and improvement of urban surface water drainage. The programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS, in collaboration with the local authorities and communities in each stage of the project, from design to completion.

Managing solid waste

Description

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.

By Malini Shankar

PORT BLAIR, India, Dec 26 2012 (IPS) - In commemoration of the eighth anniversary of the Asian tsunami, Wednesday was a day of prayer and mourning across the Andaman Nicobar Islands – located at the juncture of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea – and south India’s coastal Tamil Nadu state, two areas that suffered thousands of casualties on that fateful day.

This report documents the experiences of the UNDP Regional Programme on Capacity Building for Sustainable Recovery and Risk Reduction

JAKARTA (ILO News): After more than seven years, the struggling economy of Aceh province has recovered from being shaken by a devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2004. This province at the farthest west of Indonesia has kept growing since then, with a rise in job opportunities and an improvement in the welfare of the people. Significant changes are taking place in Aceh.

New Asia Impact Report provides greater donor accountability

CARE today launched the Asia Impact Report which provides a review of the impact of CARE’s work in Asia from 2005 to 2010. The report is the first of its kind in Australia and is part of CARE’s commitment to transparency, which is important for the 87 per cent of Australian donors who want to know more about how donations are spent.

Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tsunamis are examples of what many of us would call natural disasters. In fact they are examples of natural hazards that turn into disasters once villages, towns and cities have been affected. A lack in preparation to handle such perils leaves communities vulnerable to the damages caused. Thus it is important to establish methods and programmes to reduce the risks brought to humans by natural hazards, as well as programmes which enable local communities to come together to learn and develop new skills in preparing and responding to catastrophes.

The European Union will provide Sri Lanka a 60 million euros grant for the next five years for development projects in the country.

The grant will be provided under the European Union- support to District Development programme for the period 2012 - 2017, Head of Delegation of the European Union in Sri Lanka Bernard Savage announced during a meeting with the Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa at the Ministry yesterday.

Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator
‘Building Resilience: the importance of prioritising disaster risk reduction – a United Nations Development Programme Perspective’
Hopkins Lecture, University of Canterbury
Aurora Centre, Burnside High School, Christchurch
6.30 pm, Wednesday 15 August 2012

I am pleased to be delivering this year’s University of Canterbury Hopkins Lecture here at Aurora Centre, Burnside High School.