Natural disasters

25 May 2008 -- Central China has been struck by a powerful aftershock as the region struggles to recover from a massive earthquake earlier this month that killed tens of thousands of people and left many more homeless. The latest shock killed at least one person in Sichuan province and injured about 260.

Tent city outside a soccer stadium in Chengdu: Many Chengdu residents don't trust their buildings post-earthquake. Photo by Lukas Bergstrom (CC)

Chinese state media say a team of Chinese paramilitary police has arrived on foot at a newly formed lake in central Sichuan province that was created by the 7.9 magnitude earthquake two weeks ago.    » 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 »

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 »

14 May 2008 -- Tens of thousands of Chinese troops are fanning out across China's Sichuan province in response to a massive earthquake that killed nearly 15,000 people. The military began airlifting quake victims Wednesday from Sichuan's Wenchuan county, the epicenter of Monday's 7.9 magnitude earthquake.

Earthquake victim, China: Photo by Jane Liu (CC)

The injured are being taken to the largest hospital in Sichuan's capital, Chengdu.

Military planes and helicopters also air-dropped more than 12 tons of food and medicine to the affected areas Wednesday.    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the Senate's passage of the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 (H.R. 3121). Senator Obama voted in favor of the measure, which passed by a vote of 92 to 6.

Barack Obama: Photo courtesy Barack Obama campaign

"Every year, tens of thousands of homeowners and businesses throughout the country suffer from catastrophic flooding, and we must do everything we can to ensure they can recover as quickly as possible. I am proud the Senate passed this legislation today, which makes important improvements to the National Flood Insurance Program.    » read more »

5/13/2008 -- Raleigh - RALEIGH – North Carolina Governor Mike Easley today met with local emergency response officials and conducted an aerial tour of tornado damage in Bertie County that occurred Sunday evening. Today he also sent teams of Small Business Administration officials to Bertie County to determine if the county is eligible for an SBA disaster declaration. If the county is eligible, uninsured residents whose homes were destroyed or received major damage would be eligible for low interest loans to use for home repair.    » read more »

Chicago, IL - May 12, 2008 -- "Michelle and I are deeply saddened by the tremendous loss of life caused by the earthquake in central China. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families, particularly those who have suffered the terrible loss of a child.

USGS shakemap China earthquake

"I am confident that the Chinese people will respond with characteristic determination in providing relief to those who are suffering, and in helping the affected areas get back on their feet. I urge the American people and the international community to do all that we can to help China respond to this catastrophe."

Source: Barack Obama campaign

5/12/2008 -- "Like all Americans, my thoughts and prayers are with the people of China, as they grapple with the devastation caused by the terrible earthquake which struck Sichuan province earlier today.

"I extend my condolences to those who have lost loved ones and am especially grieved by the number of children who have been affected. I welcome President Bush’s offer of assistance, and join with him and all Americans in our readiness to help in any way at this time of need."

Source: Hillary Clinton campaign

12 May 2008 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he is frustrated by the Burmese government's handling of the humanitarian crisis in the cyclone-devastated country. He is urging the military government to increase access for international relief efforts, warning that further delays could set the country back years.

Mr. Ban expressed his frustration with the pace of relief efforts in Burma, also known as Myanmar.

"Today is the 11th day since Typhoon Nargis hit Myanmar," he said. "I want to register my deep concern and immense frustration at the unacceptably slow response to this grave humanitarian crisis."    » read more »

13 May 2008 -- Thousands of Chinese troops and medical teams have been dispatched to areas of Sichuan province, where the country's worst earthquake in decades struck Monday.

Authorities say the quake killed at least 10,000 people in western China and that thousands are still buried under collapsed buildings.

Shanghai workers evacuate office buildings during earthquake: Photo by ying (CC)

The state-run Xinhua news agency says an official near the quake's epicenter in Wenchuan county managed to appeal for help using a satellite telephone, nearly 11 hours after the quake cut communications.    » read more »

May 12, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Christine Gregoire is urging Washingtonians to open their hearts and wallets to help in the aftermath of an earthquake Monday that killed and injured thousands of people in the Chinese province of Sichuan.

“Time and time again, Washingtonians have responded to those in need, whether they live in Lewis County or another country,” Gregoire said. “I urge folks to consider whether they are able to give and to do so with an international relief agency they trust so that their contributions bring the greatest value to those who are truly hurting.”    » read more »