Disaster relief

May 28, 2008 -- The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Mississippi and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and tornadoes on April 4, 2008.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Hinds County.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.    » read more »

Additional damage discovered after original request for assistance was denied

May 23, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today asked President Bush to declare fifteen southern Illinois counties federal disaster areas after severe flooding hit the area in March.

Illinois flooding, March 2008: Photo by Sarah Kanouse (CC)    » read more »

May 26, 2008 -- George W. Bush today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Colorado and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and tornadoes on May 22, 2008.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Larimer and Weld Counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Friday, May 23, 2008 — In response to the devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake that hit China’s Sichuan province on May 12, the American public and corporations have generously supported American Red Cross relief efforts.

“The American Red Cross is grateful for the outpouring of compassion we’ve received from individuals and corporations across the United States,” said David Meltzer, senior vice president, International Services for the American Red Cross. “Thanks to this support, the Red Cross has been able to provide immediate financial assistance to support vital relief efforts for those affected by the earthquake in China.”    » read more »

May 23, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today asked President Bush to declare fifteen southern Illinois counties federal disaster areas after severe flooding hit the area in March.

Flooded playground, Illinois: Photo by Sarah Kanouse (CC)    » read more »

May 23, 2008 -- Oklahoma City — Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry announced this evening that federal authorities have approved his request for federal disaster assistance to individuals and businesses in Craig, Latimer and Pittsburg counties impacted by the May 10 tornadoes.

The approval for individual assistance in the three counties comes only hours after the Governor made the request. The designation ensures federal assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.    » read more »

Assistance Will Help Missourians Impacted by May 10 Tornadoes

May 23, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today announced President Bush approved a request for Individual Assistance for Barry, Jasper and Newton Counties impacted by the May 10, 2008 tornadoes. FEMA has not made a decision on the governor’s request for Public Assistance for that same disaster.

Missouri lightning strike: Photo by Mohan R (CC)    » read more »

The Red Cross says Cyclone Nargis may have affected as many as 2.5 million people in Burma, and international groups say the death toll could end up being more than 100,000.

Burma raised its official death toll last week to 38,000, as weather organizations predicted more heavy rain that could make flooding in the country's agricultural belt even worse.

Burmese refugees in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis: Photo by TZA (CC)

The cyclone hit over two weeks ago, devastating Burma's Irrawaddy delta.

The United Nations says lack of emergency aid could contribute to famine and disease that would send the death toll even higher.    » read more »

May 19, 2008 -- The Department of Defense purchased relief supplies from FEMA to aid earthquake victims in China. Supplies included food, blankets, water containers, generators, lanterns, tarps and tents.

Less than 24 hours after receiving the request from the United States Pacific Command, FEMA had delivered 17 pallets of relief supplies from its Pacific Distribution Center to the 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii for transport to aid earthquake victims in China.

The supplies were loaded onto an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane on Saturday and flown nonstop to Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu, China. DOD also stocked a second air cargo jet in Alaska with FEMA supplies for delivery to China.

Source: FEMA

5/18/2008 - CHENGDU SHUANGLIU INT'L AIRPORT, People's Republic of China (AFPN) -- Two Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs landed here May 18 carrying nearly 200,000 pounds of relief supplies in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck the region on May 12.

Earthquake relief supplies from the United States are unloaded May 18 at the Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu, China: U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Chris

The C-17s were assigned to the 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Before 2005, C-17s were stationed exclusively in the continental U.S. C-17 squadrons are now operational at Hickam and Elmendorf AFBs.    » read more »

Burmese Military Should Not Be Relied Upon

New York, May 14, 2008 – Countries delivering relief aid to Burma should insist on monitoring to ensure aid reaches the cyclone victims most in need and to prevent the military government from seizing it, Human Rights Watch said today. Simply dropping aid off at Rangoon airport under the control of the abusive and ill-equipped Burmese military will not necessarily help victims of the cyclone.

Aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, Burma: Photo by Ground Report (CC)    » read more »

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2008 – World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick said the institution was ready to help the victims of China’s earthquake as he expressed his condolences following the disaster that hit the central province of Sichuan on May 12, killing about 15,000 people.

“The World Bank stands ready to support the Chinese Government in any way it may find useful in the recovery and reconstruction process,” Mr. Zoellick wrote in a May 12 letter to Chinese Premier Mr. Wen Jiabao. “Our thoughts are with the Chinese people at this tragic and sorrowful time,” he wrote.

Mr. Zoellick said the Bank Group would draw on its considerable expertise in catastrophe management and reconstruction.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2008 – The U.S. military has flown nearly 100 tons of humanitarian relief supplies into Burma to assist its cyclone-stricken people, a senior Pentagon official said here today.

Today, five more plane loads of relief supplies were delivered by U.S. military aircraft as part of Joint Task Force Caring Response, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters.

Burma briefing: U.S. Pacific Commander Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, others hold briefing before flight with Cyclone Nargis relief supplies leaves for Burma. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Eric Arndt    » read more »

15 May 2008 -- Chinese workers are still trying to reach three mountainous towns in southwestern Sichuan province that were cut off by a huge earthquake that struck the region Monday. Chinese authorities worry that the official death toll of nearly 15,000 could skyrocket unless needed help arrives soon.

Soldiers in Sichuan are pressing more military and civilian helicopters into service, to airlift necessities and help with relief work.

State TV has shown daily reports of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on the scene, talking to survivors, encouraging emergency workers and overseeing relief work.

According to official media, landslides are still blocking efforts to reach 20 thousand residents in three towns near the epicenter of the quake, in Wenchuan County.    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- Oklahoma City -- In the wake of the deadly tornado that swept through the town of Picher on May 10, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry today asked Pres. Bush to provide a federal disaster declaration for Ottawa County. The designation would provide federal assistance to individuals and businesses in the tornado-ravaged area.

Picher, Oklahoma: Photo by peggydavis66 (CC)

“Picher is devastated, and its citizens are hurting,” Gov. Henry said.    » read more »