UNA-SVC News
| Response to the China Earthquake
On Monday, May 12, at 2.28 p.m. Beijing
time (6:28 GMT), a major earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale,
jolted southwestern China's Sichuan Province. Several lower-scale
earthquakes and aftershocks followed in the same area. The quake
destroyed many buildings in the area, as well as infrastructure like
communication towers.
According to the latest reports, more
than 50,000 people have died and many more have been injured or are
missing. Many schools were destroyed, including one that had at least
900 students in it. As authorities reach more remote areas, these
numbers are expected to rise.
You can help those affected by this crisis and countless others around
the world each year by making a financial gift to UNICEF, which will
provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies,
technical assistance, and other support to those in need. You can make
your tax-deductible donations online by visiting
www.unicef.org. |
UNICEF seeks $8.2 million to meet the critical needs of children
and women affected by the cyclone in Myanmar - May 8, 2008
UNICEF has
requested an initial $8.2 million for its
emergency operation to assist the survivors of
Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.
Children and
women require urgent assistance to survive in
increasingly desperate conditions. Initial
stocks prepositioned in the country are being
distributed, but they will not be sufficient to
meet critical needs that include clean drinking
water, shelter materials, water purification
tablets, cooking sets, mosquito nets, food,
essential drugs, and appropriate sanitation
facilities.
The destruction
has led to an estimated one million homeless
people across five states of Myanmar. Many
schools and health centres have collapsed or
have been severely damaged. Electricity has been
cut, and access to potable water and medical
care are major concerns. The conditions pose
serious risks for outbreaks of infections and
water-borne diseases. The displaced are living
in congested shelters or out in the open and
lack drinking water, food and latrines.
Launching the
appeal, Ms. Pierrette Vu Thi, Deputy Director of
UNICEF’s Office of Emergency Programmes, said,
“Children are the most vulnerable in coping with
the effects of such a disaster. They are likely
to be severely affected and in need of immediate
assistance.”
UNICEF has been
responding by distributing pre-positioned
emergency supplies: family health kits with
medicine for 155,000 people, water purification
tablets, oral rehydration salts, tarpaulins,
mosquito nets, family kits (containing cooking
and cleaning implements and jerry cans), and
bleaching drums. Additional staff and supplies
are on the way.
UNICEF is
working with partners and the government to
procure and distribute additional essential
drugs and other relief supplies. It is also
working to restore water and sanitation
services; provide temporary learning spaces, as
many schools have been completely destroyed;
establish safe spaces for thousands of children
in need of protection and treatment, and assist
in the identification and reunification of
separated children with their families.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries
and territories to help children survive and
thrive, from early childhood through
adolescence. The world’s largest provider of
vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF
supports child health and nutrition, good water
and sanitation, quality basic education for all
boys and girls, and the protection of children
from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF
is funded entirely by the voluntary
contributions of individuals, businesses,
foundations and governments.
For more information, please contact:
Patrick McCormick, UNICEF New York tel: +1 212
326 7426,
pmccormick@unicef.org
Miriam Azar, UNICEF New York, tel: +1 212 824
6949,
miazar@unicef.org
Kate Donovan, UNICEF New York, tel: + 1 212 326
7452
kdonovan@unicef.org
Véronique Taveau, UNICEF Geneva, tel: +41 22 909
5716,
vtaveau@unicef.org
Miranda Eeles, UNICEF Geneva, tel: +41 22 909
5715,
meeles@unicef.org
Earthquake in Indonesia
- Saturday, May 27, 2006, at 5:54 a.m., local time, a 6.3 magnitude
earthquake struck the city of Yogyakarta on the Indonesian island of Java
with a population of about 500,000. According to initial media reports,
more than 2,800 people were believed to have been killed with many more
injured. Hundreds of thousands are displaced. An evacuation is in process.
The earthquake was followed by at least two fairly strong aftershocks,
measuring 4.8 and 4.5, respectively. No tsunami was generated; however, the
area affected is near the Mount Merapi volcano, which has been on heightened
alert for the past month. Of concern is that this seismic activity could
trigger additional volcanic activity.
You can help those
affected by this crisis and countless others around the world each year by
making a financial gift to UNICEF, which will provide immediate relief and
long-term support through supplies, technical assistance, and other support
to those in need. You can make your tax-deductible donations online by
visiting
www.unicef.org.
A devastating earthquake hit Pakistan on Oct. 8, 2004 (8:50am Pakistan time), measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale. This is the strongest earthquake in Pakistan’s history. Several thousand people are feared dead, and countless numbers are without water, food, or shelter.
The center of the earthquake was 95km northeast of Islamabad in Kashmir. Initial estimates are that about fifty percent of the buildings in Muzaffarabad have collapsed or are uninhabitable. Similar devastating news is slowly pouring in from other areas. Entire villages have been wiped out in landslides. Roads in the hilly northern areas have been severely damaged and access is limited, further contributing to lack of information on extent of damage.
You can help those affected by this crisis and countless others around the world each year by making a financial gift to UNICEF, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance, and other support to those in need. You can make your tax-deductible donations online by visiting www.unicef.org.
Powerful earthquake, tsunamis strike South Asia, leaving thousands dead, injured and missing
Sunday, December 26, 2004 - The largest earthquake to strike the globe since 1964 has caused devastating tsunami waves that have killed thousands in south Asia. The 8.9-magnitude quake hit December 26 off the coast of Indonesia, triggering these extremely large waves that have brought massive flooding, damage and loss of life in the region.
Waves as high as 20 feet have crashed into the coastal areas near the Bay of Bengal. Among the worst affected countries are Sri Lanka and India, as well as Indonesia, Maldives and Thailand. Reports are that thousands of people are missing, and it is possible that the number of dead may tragically rise in the coming days.
You can help those affected by this crisis and countless others around the world each year by making a financial gift to UNICEF, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance, and other support to those in need. You can make your tax-deductible donations online by visiting
www.unicef.org.
September 22, 2004 by Donald R. Jones
Many UNA events are happening around the Bay Area.
UN DAY (Oct 24) Activity: Our Silicon Valley chapter has planned to team up (co-sponsor) UN Day activities with the Mid-Peninsula Chapter. There will be 5 nights (Oct 20-24) of UNAFF (UNA Film Festival) at Stanford. One night will be exclusively on women. More info may be found at the Mid-Pen website (www.unamidpen.org).
PEOPLE SPEAK (Monday, 4 Oct): Also, our chapter has planned to co-sponsor (with the Mid-Pen Chapter) a People Speak program, "American Power & Global Security". More info may be found at the Mid-Pen website (www.unamidpen.org).
NIGHT of a THOUSAND DINNERS (Nov 4): The chapter, also, is planning to be involved with the Mid-Pen Chapter "Night of a Thousand Dinners" on Thurs, Nov 4 -- for landmine issues. More info may be found at the Mid-Pen website (www.unamidpen.org).
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY (Dec 10): The chapter, also, is planning to support a Mid-Pen Chapter Dec 3 (Friday) speaker Human Rights event -- Gillian Sorenson, Sr. Advisor at UN Foundation" (a week early). More info may be found at the Mid-Pen website (www.unamidpen.org).
In addition, we have the opportunity to get involved with the Monterey Bay chapter -- with 1) their People Speak program "Stopping the Spread of WMDs" on Tues, Sept 21, 7 pm, at Irvine Auditorium of the Monterey Institute of Intl Studies (Monterey), 2) speaker, peace activist, Helen Caldicott, MD, on Fri, 22 Oct, 7 pm (also at Irvine Aud.), 3) 5th Annual UNAFF (11 films), Sat, 5 Nov (at Irvine, Aud.), and 4) speaker, Gillian Sorenson, Human Rights Day luncheon, Sat, 4 Dec, 11 am (Elks Lodge, Monterey). More info on these events -- at the Monterey Bay Chapter website (www.unamontereybay.org),
More info on other Bay Area chapters may be obtained online: East Bay/Berkeley (www.shopinberkeley.com/u/una), Santa Cruz (www.unasantacruz.org), and San Francisco (www.una-sf.org).
April 25, 2004 -- Visit to Town Hall meeting at Asilomar (Monterey Chapter)
July 22, 2004 by Donald R. Jones
Town Hall meeting at Asilomar (Pacific Grove), hosted by the UNA-Monterey Bay Chapter, was attended by Don Jones, VP Comm & Info. (more info on request)
April 22, 2004 -- Board Meeting (and following Executive Meeting)
July 22, 2004 by Donald R. Jones
April 22 -- Board meeting with specific action items assigned for recruitment, webpage changes, and program activation.
May 5, 2004 -- SVC Executive meeting, follow-up to the above Board meeting, with brainstorming & ideas for activating our chapter program. Specific actions will result -- including working a program with NPU (Don Jones & Dr. Hsieh) and recruitment (Karen Oeh, Farima Berenji, & Don).
Changes will be made to the website -- in structure & information --- whenever webmaster, Vitaly Golomb & sponsor, Sputnik Designs Group, has time available.
Mar 20, 2004 -- Northern California Division (NCD) events in Pleasanton
July 22, 2004 by Donald R. Jones
NCD events, in Pleasanton (near Dublin), was attended by Don Jones, VP Comm & Info. A Model UN, via CALMUN, was in progress, also. (more info on request)
Mar 8, 2004 -- Int'l Women's Day Co-sponsor
July 22, 2004 by Donald R. Jones
International Women's Day Panel. The Silicon Valley Chapter co-sponsored, with MSA (Muslim Students Association), a panel, "Women in Islam: Perspectives & Experiences", on International Women's Day, Monday, March 8, 2004.
The panel was attended by three members, Karen Oeh, Don Jones, and Farima Berenji.
The panel, of 3 women and 2 men, was held at Foothill College and was composed of 3 students, an alumni, and a professional led by the MSA President, Ali Rizyi. The panelists spoke of their family experience in the U.S. and Iran and/or Saudi Arabia. The comments and responses, at the Q&A following the presentations, were interesting.
*International Women's Day was established in 1908. A strike for bread & peace, led by Russian women in St. Petersburg, led to Czar Nicholas' abdication.
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