News round up - Vol 5, Issue 3
World: The World Health Organisation (WHO) moved up to phase 5 at the end of April as cases of Swine Flu, or the H1N1 virus, increased in many countries around the world. Phase 5 is defined as: “Sustained community level outbreaks in at least two countries in one WHO region.” At this level a pandemic is considered imminent. Many fear that in Europe the winter months are when the second, more serious, wave could strike. Public education campaigns have been undertaken and businesses are being urged to look at their own continuity plans in the event of a worst case scenario pandemic.
USA: While a person may not seem emotionally or psychologically troubled in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event, symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can surface up to two years following an event for those with pre-existing emotional or social problems. The new findings from Geisinger Center for Health Research suggest this in their study which appears in Social Psychiatric Epidemiology.
Australia/New Zealand: A formal administrative arrangement has been signed by the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management and the Australian Attorney-General’s Department to help create better links between the two country’s national emergency management agencies. The arrangement involves: Maintaining 24/7 points of contact to ensure dialogue continuity, co-ordination of effort and communication exercises, among other specifications.
Singapore: Commissioner James Tan Chan Seng retired from active service at the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) in May, after 42 years of service. Deputy Commissioner Peter Benedict Lim Sin Pang took over on May 20, 2009. Commissioner Pang led the SCDF’s transformation into one of the world’s leading emergency response organisations during his 17 years at the helm.
World: The head of UNHCR, Antonio Guterres, has said that he wants Italy, Malta and Libya to discuss how to handle the steady stream of migrants making the perilous Mediterranean crossing. This follows the Italian Government’s controversial new policy of sending refugees intercepted by patrol boats back to Libya. In March, more than 200 migrants were believed drowned after a boat carrying 257 people capsized at sea 30 miles off the Libyan coast.
Zurich: 2009 has been the worst year for disasters since 1970 – in terms of lives lost and economic damage – according to a report by insurance company Swiss Re. Some 240,500 people lost their lives in natural and man-made disasters. Most died in Asia, where cyclone Nargis killed 138,000 when it hit Myanmar. The Sichuan earthquake in China in the same month claimed 70,000 lives (see CRJ 4:4).
Photo: José Manual Jiménez / International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies