Central/Eastern Europe: Heat Wave - Jul 2007

Report calls for building disaster risk into development efforts

Sarajevo, 20 May 2016 – Two years after massive flooding caused widespread devastation and loss of life in the Western Balkans, countries in the sub-region have taken steps to reduce the risk of disasters but more will need to be done to protect people from future destruction, according to the Human Development Report for the Western Balkans, launched here today.

Project Objectives [from section 2 of PCN]

The objective of the proposed Disaster Risk Mitigation and Adaptation Project for Moldova is to reduce the country's vulnerability to natural hazards and impact of climate change, which may result in serious human and economic losses.

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Overall situation

- In the past 100 years, the global average temperature has risen by about 0.74 degrees Celsius.

- The rate of change accelerated over the course of the 20th Century.

- Projections in temperature rise for the 21st century range from 2 to 4 degrees Celsius.

- It is very likely that this temperature rise is mainly caused by the emission of what are known as greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (C02) and methane.

A joint partnership between the World Bank, the Moldovan Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and the Ministry of Environment was launched in Moldova's capital in the late days of October. The new partnership aims to consolidate Government and Bank efforts to reduce the vulnerability of Moldova's farmers to climate change.

Appeal No. MAA67003

1. Country and Sector Background

Croatia, similar to other countries in the South Eastern and Central Europe, is exposed to a range of natural hazards, particularly, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, extreme temperatures, strong winds, and drought. The country shows warming, drying climate conditions, a trend which together with human activities enhances the risk of forest fires. Wildfires have been particularly dangerous along the Adriatic coast in recent years; in 2007 alone, 2,700 wildfires were reported on the coast.

Croatia's weather hazards are consequential economically.

Climate-related disasters are increasing in intensity and frequency, and communities around the world are facing the humanitarian consequences of climate change on a daily basis. Volunteers from the very communities that are at risk are the ones that are adapting quickest to these fast-changing crises and they can make a real difference, according to Bekele Geleta, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Speaking on International Volunteers Day at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poland, Mr.

(Poznan, 3 December 2008): Today, for the first time in climate change negotiations, the humanitarian agencies of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee have teamed up with disaster risk reduction staff of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) system to issue a joint call for scaled-up global action to reduce disaster risk and to strengthen preparedness for effective response.

The current negotiations on risk management and risk reduction in Poznan are a unique opportunity to make sure that adaptation action is able to prevent global humanitarian …

HIGHLIGHTS

- World cereal production in 2008 is forecast to increase 2.8 percent to a record 2 180 million tonnes. Most of the increase is in wheat following significant expansion in plantings in all regions. Coarse grains output is expected around the bumper level of last year but lower than earlier anticipated due to severe floods in the United States, the world's largest producer and exporter. Rice is tentatively forecast to increase slightly from last year's good level.

- Despite the anticipated increase in world output, cereal markets will remain tight in 2008/09.

This report covers the period of 01/01/2006 to 31/12/2007 of a two-year planning and appeal process 2006-2007.

In brief

Programme Summary: In 2006 and 2007 the National Society, with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, proceeded, as part of its health and care programme, with the promotion of healthy lifestyles among the general public by conducting various health education campaigns.

In March 2008, PIPA in cooperation with local partner The Saint George Peasants Cartel distributed humanitarian aid to 970 peasants in 15 regions of Moldova, those most affected by draught in summer 2007.

The United Nations system's response to last year's drought in Moldova was a 'powerful demonstration' of what can be achieved if people and agencies work together, Kaarina Immonen, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in that country told correspondents today at Headquarters.

Moldova, since its independence in 1991, one of the poorest countries in the region, had had a steady economic growth up to 2007, with 4.8 per cent growth in 2006. Difficulties before the 2007 drought included a high increase in energy prices and a ban on wine exports to the Russian Federation.

135,000 people receive assistance under $8.5 million programme

Five UN agencies have banded together to help Moldova recover from last year's devastating drought, providing emergency aid to vulnerable families and agricultural supplies to help struggling farmers recover.

Moldova, the poorest country in Europe, was struck in 2007 by the worst drought in modern memory.

Glide no: HT-2007-000105-BIH

The International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross Red Crescent response to emergencies.

This appeal seeks CHF 10,543,184 (USD 9,430,397 or EUR 6,389,808) to fund the planned programmes that are to be implemented in 2008- 2009.

In a world of global challenges, continued poverty, inequity, and increasing vulnerability to disasters and disease, the International Federation with its global network, works to accomplish its Global Agenda, partnering with local community and civil society to prevent and alleviate human suffering from disasters, diseases and public health emergencies.

Current context

The consequences of the huge economic decline which followed the break-up …

Le gouvernement grec a décerné une distinction aux participants de l'aide suisse à la lutte contre les incendies de forêts dévastateurs de fin août/début septembre. L'armée suisse avait dépêché quatre Super Pumas, d'entente avec la Direction du développement et de la coopération (DDC), pour lutter contre les incendies de forêts.

Le ministre de l'ordre public, Vyron G.

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)

IP/07/1330

Brussels, 13 September 2007. Following a severe drought in Moldova, especially districts in the South, the European Commission has allocated €3 million in humanitarian aid for the country's most vulnerable farmers and rural people as a short-term measure. The funds will cover the distribution of fodder and feedstuffs for livestock.

(Extract)

Hurricane Felix

Hurricane Felix came ashore on Tuesday morning in northeast Nicaragua, near Punta Gorda, as a category five storm. Hurricane warnings have also been issued for eastern Honduras.