As the global costs of disasters continue to rise, a new global framework for disaster risk reduction was negotiated at a high-level conference in Sendai, Japan in March 2015. Newfound global attention to the topic increased the difficulty of negotiations, but also created opportunities, especially for Switzerland as an active leader in disaster risk reduction […]
Global Disaster Politics Post Sendai Read More »
The heaviest flooding in over a decade to hit southern Mozambique has affected almost 250,000 people and destroyed towns and livelihoods. The floods have claimed 113 lives, which is still far fewer than similar floods in 2000 when over 900 people died. This is due to an improved early warning system implemented by the government
In March 2014, MSF-Switzerland deployed a dedicated Geographic Information Systems (GIS) officer to Guinea in response to the Ebola outbreak in the south of the country. In support of the epidemiological team, the GIS officer was charged with producing general overview maps, as well as topical maps that supported different aspects of the operation. This case
GIS Support for the MSF Ebola Reponse in Guinea 2014 Read More »
Jerald P. Dennis contracted the deadly Ebola virus disease while attending a funeral in Liberia. After spending ten days as a patient in an Ebola treatment centre, Jerald’s tests came back negative. He had survived. This is his story. Jerald Dennis – Ebola survivor and Red Cross volunteer, Liberia Video of Jerald Dennis – Ebola
Surviving Ebola: Jerald’s story. Read More »
By Anita Dullard, IFRC As the streets of Bopolu city wake, Tenneh Kamara sits quietly, hands in her lap and voice low. Motorcycle taxis have already begun beeping their way through town and roosters crow as they roam nearby. The Liberia National Red Cross Society volunteers who have come to support Tenneh lean in close
The pain of surviving Ebola Read More »
This is the story of Francis Nallu, an Infection Prevention Control Supervisor, working at the Ebola treatment center (ETC). I supervise and train a lot of people on how to do the job. I am proud of myself. In the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) unit we have a lot of work to do. Without IPC,
Being an Ebola responder at an Ebola treatment center: the story of Francis Nallu Read More »
By Lisa Pattison, IFRC Without a doubt, stepping over the threshold to leave an Ebola treatment centre for the last time gives a patient a certain degree of euphoria. Against many odds they have survived this highly contagious and deadly disease. However, the grim reality of day-to-day survival looms ahead as many have lost the
Helping Ebola survivors survive in Sierra Leone Read More »
One year since the confirmed Ebola outbreak in Guinea, a lot of fear and stigma remain in communities affected by the disease. Some communities prevent responders from entering, mistakenly believing they are responsible for spreading the virus. Volunteers with the Red Cross Society of Guinea have experienced this resistance, but through continued engagement, barriers are
Overcoming fear in Ebola-affected communities Read More »
This 36-page report reviews the global dialogue series organized by the American Red Cross and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, defines the Eight Criteria for Resilience-Strengthening Solutions, announces plans to test four experimental technologies with partners this year, and makes five key recommendations based on community-level requests and our humanitarian expertise.
A Vision for the Humanitarian Use of Emerging Technology for Emerging Needs Read More »
This video highlights the upgrade and adoption of cyclone-proof building norms for public buildings, one of the key components of GFDRR’s disaster risk mitigation program in Madagascar. The program of assistance extended through the GFDDR supports the country’s strong political will to shift from a policy of disaster response to one of prevention and mitigation.
GFDRR Disaster Risk Reduction Efforts in Madagascar Read More »