Strategic Assessment

The global terrorist threat continued to evolve rapidly in 2015, becoming increasingly decentralized and diffuse. Terrorist groups continued to exploit an absence of credible and effective state institutions, where avenues for free and peaceful expression of opinion were blocked, justice systems lacked credibility, and where security force abuses and government corruption went unchecked.

​The ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) is a weekly bulletin for epidemiologists and health professionals on active public health threats.

This issue covers the period 29 May - 4 June 2016 and includes updates on Zika virus, an outbreak of enterovirus and yellow fever.

With ever increasing proportion of humanitarian crisis, the role of humanitarian workers becomes more challenging. Disaster can affect anyone but situation becomes more vulnerable when physical loss is clubbed with severe psychological turmoil.

The Role of humanitarian workers becomes more challenging in the new times due to the ever increasing trend of humanitarian crisis.

Although climate change and poverty are increasingly recognised as interlinked global problems, responses from governments and development agencies often focus on their scientific and economic dimensions only. This guide highlights the advantages and challenges of pursuing climate compatible development from a gender perspective.

By Priyanka Kakodkar

Mumbai: There is only 0.4% water left in the dams in drought-struck Marathwada, with over 10 days to go before the monsoon is expected in the state. Water levels here had touched a historic low last month but have now plummeted further.

Nine of the region's 11 major dams are at dead storage level. This means that water from the dams cannot flow out but has to be lifted.Two of these dams--Manjara and Lower Terna--have run totally dry . Last year, at this time, the water level in Marathwada's dams was much higher at 7%.

USA

• TC BONNIE formed over the northwestern Atlantic ocean on 27 May causing damage.

• As of 30 May, local media reported one person missing in North Carolina state, as well as traffic disruptions in the states of North & South Carolina and Virginia. (GDACS, NOAA, Media)

HONDURAS

• Heavy rain has been affecting the central and southern areas of the country over the past week causing floods and landslides.

The month saw Venezuela’s political, economic and humanitarian crisis worsen amid heightened tensions between the government and opposition, a situation which could lead to state collapse and regional destabilisation. Another major setback in electing a new president in Haiti prompted fears of further civil unrest. In West Africa, deadly violence in central Mali and south-east Nigeria spiked, while a power struggle in Guinea-Bissau led to a dangerous standoff.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has recommended that drought-affected states reimburse fees and other entitlement of children of farmers and economically-weaker section people studying in private schools for one year.

The Commission has written letters to the chief ministers of 12 drought-affected states to reimburse the fee and education entitlement such as school bags, uniforms, notebooks, under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday released the National Disaster Management Plan.

This is the first ever national Disaster Management plan prepared in the country. It will focus on making India disaster resilient and significantly reduce the loss of lives and assets.

The plan is based on the four priority themes of the Sendai Framework.

1 June 2016, GENEVA – The head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mr. Robert Glasser, today congratulated the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, and his government for producing the country’s first ever National Disaster Management Plan.

Mr. Glasser said: “On behalf of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, I would like to extend congratulations to the Indian government for setting such a fine example to the rest of the world when it comes to political commitment to reducing disaster losses and managing disaster risk.

I. Introduction

Shock at the Scale of Grave Violations Committed Against Children in 2015

New York – In his Annual report on children and armed conflict covering the year 2015, the UN Secretary-General expressed his shock at the scale of grave violations committed against children in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

A. SITUATION REPORT

Heavy rains triggered by a series of cloudbursts have affected large no. of population in Tehri and Uttarkashi districts of Uttrakhand State in the past 24 hours. Over 100 hundreds houses were damaged and killing several heads of cattle. Meanwhile, four persons, including three women, were swept away in mudslide when a series of cloudbursts hit several villages in Chinyalisaur on Saturday

C. RESPONSE BY GOVERNMENT AND HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES:

Government Response:

A. SITUATION REPORT

In the past few days, Manipur received heavy rain the beginning of 17th May 2016, which led to flash flood, breaching of embankments that causes huge damage to life and property affecting thousands of people homeless in the valley districts of Manipur which are District Thoubal, Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur. Most of the affected population is taking shelters in nearby relative and neighboring village houses.

Source: IAG-Manipur WhatsApp Group, PRDA, ADRA and Media

1. Disaster Overview

Heavy monsoon rains began on September 2, 2014 in Jammu and Kashmir region leading to heavy flooding. On September 3, a border security officer and five others were killed in landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rain the Jammu region. The Jammu and Kashmir government sounded a flood alert for the state on September 4 after three days of incessant rain had flooded 23 villages. By September 6 the flooding was recognized as the worst in 50 years and the death toll had risen to 150.

This Discussion Paper has been prepared by a consortium of humanitarian assistance agencies in India to present a case for review of the decision by a few donors to discontinue support to India because of the apparent perception that India does not require overseas development assistance. It also reflects the commitment of humanitarian agencies to ensure that the Vision of “Zero Tolerance to Avoidable Deaths in Disasters” professed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Government of India is honoured in letter and spirit.

COLOMBIA

• Heavy rain has been affecting western and centralwestern areas of the country over the past few days causing floods and landslides.

• Media reported at least 100 houses damaged in Valle del Cauca and Antioquia departments.

• Over the next 24 h more heavy rain is forecast for the already affected areas of the country.

IDEAM, NOAA, Local Media

SRI LANKA, INDIA, BANGLADESH, MYANMAR/BURMA

• TC ROANU caused widespread damage and casualties in several countries.

TNN | May 26, 2016, 12.34 PM IST

SURAT: For the first time in a decade, Ukai reservoir is left with only 12% of its total capacity of water. Although sufficient for a month, southern Gujarat towns and villages dependent on the water from Ukai will face sever water crisis if the monsoon gets delayed.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
• Heavy rain has been affecting several areas of the country, especially the northern provinces, over the past few days, causing floods and landslides.
• As of 25 May, 1 550 people were displaced and over 520 houses were partially or fully damaged. Media also reported one dead in Santiago.
• Over the next 24 h moderate to locally heavy rain may still affect Dominican Republic, especially the areas already affected.