Stories about Disaster from September, 2009
Indonesia: Strong earthquake hit West Sumatra
The coastal city of Padang, West Sumatra is once again devastated by an earthquake.
Ukraine: “The Ghosts of Chernobyl”/Destination Truth
Chernobyl and Eastern Europe writes about a Destination Truth episode about the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone – “The Ghosts of Chernobyl” – which is scheduled to air on Wednesday, Sept. 30, on cable's SyFy channel.
Philippines: Flooding documented on citizen videos
Citizen videos were able to capture horrible scenes of loss and devastation caused by a tropical storm which struck Metro Manila and nearby provinces in the Philippines last Saturday.
Philippines: Helping flood victims through social media
A tropical storm hit many parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces in the Philippines last Saturday. Social networking sites were flooded with personal stories, photos and videos of the typhoon's aftermath. The stream of information soon became a “hub” for coordinating rescue and relief efforts for those who had access to the internet
Philippines: Worst Flooding in 40 Years
Tropical Storm "Ondoy" hit the Philippines last Saturday triggering the worst flooding in 40 years which left 50 people dead and 280,000 residents displaced. Social media sites were maximized to share updates about the storm and to assist flood victims
Japan: Training for disaster prevention
The first week of September in Japan is the Disaster Prevention Week [ja]. During this week schools, organizations, offices and so on come together to organize disaster prevention training.
Tunisia: Severe Flooding Kills 15
Flash floods hit Tunisia this week, killing at least 15 people and damaging property in the town of Redeyef in southern Tunisia. Bloggers declare two day of mourning and speak out against a media apparatus which trades on people's miseries to trump up the government.
West Africa : Victims of Floods Call for Help
Last weeks’ torrential rains triggered disastrous floodings (Fr), killing 159 people and affecting over 600,000 in a dozen Western Africa countries, unprepared to face seasonal rains growing heavier and heavier. (See map). Afropages (Fr) describes the situation in Conakry, Guinea's capital.
Floods in West Africa Displace Hundreds of Thousands
The ReliefWeb, quoting the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), reports that recent floods in West Africa have displaced or made homeless 600 000 persons, destroyed schools, roads, hospitals in Burkina Faso,Senegal, Niger,Guinea, and Ghana. Guinea alone account for 40.000 people in need of help.
Ukraine: Fundraising to Help Street Children
Scenes from the Sidewalk announces a “virtual fundraiser” to help “transform the lives of [Ukrainian] street and at risk children and reintegrate them back into families and society.”
Morocco: Don't Blame the Rain
Recent flooding in Morocco has prompted bloggers to air their discontent with their country's lack of sanitation infrastructure. They went around taking pictures and shooting videos, sharing scenes seldom broadcast by the mainstream media. This is their citizen reporting.
Pakistan: Back Home And Starting A New Life
After nearly two months of living in squalor in temporary camps the displaced people of the Swat region of Pakistan were allowed to go back home from July 13th. Although they still face uncertainties and challenges, there are signs of normalcy as many of the displaced families are now starting a new life.
Palestine: The 9/11 Industry
While Katrina is a distant memory, the anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks on the US is being used to fuel a “9/11 industry,” writes Al Falasteeniya.
Video: Caring about Congo
Videos showing different ways in which people are trying to make a difference in the situation faced by those living in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Indonesia: A generous president?
Martin insists that the Indonesian president has claimed that he donated 58.8 percent of his total personal wealth for the victims of the 7.0 strong earthquake that rocked Java last week.
Indonesia earthquake: Donations still needed
Donations are still needed in Indonesia as the number of homeless residents continues to rise after a 7.0 strong earthquake rocked Java last week.
Macedonia, Bulgaria: Days of Mourning After the Lake Ohrid Shipwreck
Filip Stojanovski reports on bloggers' reactions to the tragic boat accident on Lake Ohrid, which took place on Saturday, claiming the lives of 15 persons.
Taiwan: The future for the aboriginal people after Typhoon Morakot
Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan Aug. 7-9, triggering the worst flooding in 50 years in southern Taiwan and leading to landslides that buried remote mountainous villages and tribal settlements. In order to speed up the post-disaster reconstruction, the Legislative Yuan passed an urgent special statute to raise a special budget on...
Russia: Blogger vs Journalist
Foreign Policy's Net.Effect writes about the coverage of the accident at Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric dam in the Russian mainstream and new media, and the use of blogging by the “authoritarian regimes.”
Pakistan: Death On Reality Show
The death of a Pakistani reality show participant has been subject to hot debate in the Pakistani Blogosphere. Bloggers question the creditability of these kinds of entertainment shows, which lack security measures, and the liability of the corporate giants who commission them.
