Philippines Launches Disaster Alert Device

BY SUCCESS KANAYO UCHIME

A new device that will give early warning for disaster-prone areas using Blackberry devices and laptops has been launched by the Philippine Charity on Monday.

Agence France-Presse (AFP), who stated this development, said the devices are hooked to a text message system that would immediately alert the communities to typhoons, storm surges, tsunamis, landslides and earthquakes.

(Philippines President Benigo “Noynoy” Aquino III)

Speaking on this recent development, the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) noted that the 200,000-dollar project was carried out with the assistance of the World Bank and one of the country's leading mobile phone operators and is funded by the country's top chief executives.

The organization noted that the areas covered by the project are all in Southern Leyte province in the central Visayas region, which lies along a fault line and is also often battered by powerful typhoons.

According to them, the province was chosen (for the project) being one of the country's top 10 provinces highly prone to natural disasters like floods, tsunamis, storm surges, landslides, earthquakes, and typhoons.

They recalled that in 2006, heavy rain triggered a deadly mudslide that buried the entire village of Guinsaugon in Southern Leyte, killing more 1,000 people in one of the country's worst natural disasters of recent years.

PBSP said the deaths were blamed on a lack of proper seismic and weather equipment and an alert system that could have immediately led to a mass evacuation adding that the project's web-based information system enables officials from the towns to use BlackBerries and laptops to access and quickly spread alerts or store surveillance data, before, during and after disasters.

“The Philippines is considered among the world's most vulnerable countries to natural disasters. It sits on the Pacific's earthquake and volcano belt, and is battered by an average of 20 typhoons a year,” they stated.

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Lausanne Movement Calls on Christians to Support Japan

BY SUCCESS KANAYO UCHIME

The Lausanne Movement has called on Christians to do everything they can to offer comfort, encouragement and tangible support to Japan as it struggles with a nuclear crisis and a massive recovery effort.

Tsunami survivors cook and eat in front
of their damaged house, picture by AP

The call is contained in a report by Brian Hutt of Christian Today (www.christiantoday.com) adding that thousands of people have been killed by last Friday’s 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami, which has devastated whole swathes of Japan’s north-eastern region.

450,000 People Staying in Temporary Shelters

He noted that around 450,000 people are staying in temporary shelters, while food and water remain in short supply adding that in a rare televised address, Japanese Emperor AkihitoAkihito said he was praying for the people of Japan and admitted that he was “deeply worried” about the nuclear situation.

He said that seawater has been pumped into the Fukushima Daiichi plant in a desperate effort to cool the reactors but radiation levels have surged in recent days, prompting serious health concerns.

According to Hut, more than 140,000 people living within 19 miles of the plant have been ordered to stay indoors but many people are trying to move further south or leave Japan altogether to avoid any risk of contamination from leaked radiation.

Lausanne Movement Expressed Profound Sadness over Disaster

Speaking on this development, the International Director of the Lausanne Movement, Lindsay BrownLindsay Brown expressed his “profound sadness” over the disaster that has hit Japan.

“We grieve at the loss of life and the unimaginable devastation being experienced by the Japanese people. Our prayers, and the prayers of the Lausanne family, are with our brothers and sisters in Japan. We pray for strength for them as they struggle to comprehend these enormous losses in light of the hope we have as believers in Christ,” he said in a statement.

Impact of ACT Alliance of Christian Development Agencies

The ACT Alliance of Christian development agencies said today that the relief supply needs at evacuation sites were increasing adding that the sites were reporting a lack of food, water, electricity, health and hygiene kits, and blankets. The need for stoves had become “critical” following a drop in temperatures and the arrival of snow.

Also speaking, the advocacy officer for World Vision Japan, Mitsuko Sobata, said her organization is in one of the worst hit cities, Sendai describing the situation there as: “Last night, I visited one of the shelters housing some of the 340,000 people who have been evacuated around the city.

She continued: “Children are sleeping on cardboard with one blanket in freezing weather. It was very difficult for me to see that.”

World Vision Gathering Relief Supplies

According to her, World Vision is gathering relief supplies for thousands of people affected by the disaster and that a relief team was making its way today to the city of Tome, 250 miles north of Tokyo, to distribute clean water, blankets and other essentials to 4,500 survivors.

Head of emergencies at World Vision UK, Mark Bulpitt, said: “The sheer scale of this disaster is as bad as anything we’ve seen globally. Our experts on the ground are constantly assessing the situation and will focus on the specific needs of children, many of whom will be deeply affected by this experience.”

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Nigerian State Govts to Partner Smedan on Industrial Development Center | Newsflavor

Nigerian State Govts to Partner Smedan on Industrial Development Center Newsflavor

Philippines Experiences Mild Tsunami Waves

BY SUCCESS KANAYO UCHIME

Philippines, a country located in the Southeast Asia on Friday experienced a very mild tsunami and left no damage or casualties even as lots of people fled the coastal areas for fear of being affected.

One of the floodings that devastated the Philippines in the past

This indication is contained in a report by the Agence France-Presse (AFP) adding that this is coming just few days away from the a massive quake and tsunami hit Japan, leaving untold casualties which is rising per day.

The report said waves of between 30 centimeters (one foot) and one meter (3.3 feet) were recorded across the length of the archipelago's east coast between 6:00 pm and 8:44 pm (1000-1244 GMT).

Speaking on this recent development, the Chief State Seismologist and director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology, RenatoRenato Solidum stated: "We have no intention of lowering the tsunami alert for the time being."

He confirmed that there has been no reported damage or casualties in the country stressing that the government warned communities all along its Pacific seaboard to flee inland hours after an 8.9 quake struck off Japan's main island.

Its President, Benigno Aquino's who spoke through a spokesman, Edwin Lacierda said the entire eastern seaboard up to 40 meters (131.2 feet) from the water's edge would be cleared of people as a precaution.

He noted that local officials had enforced the order by the time the first waves arrived at dusk adding that more than 2,500 families have been evacuated from two provinces. “The government had ordered the coasts of 19 provinces cleared.”

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Nigerian Traders Call for Establishment of National Commercial Courts

 BY SUCCESS KANAYO UCHIME

A group of Nigerian traders under the auspices of National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) (http://www.nants.org/) has called on the Nigerian Federal Government to urgently establish the National Commercial Courts.


This call is contained in a statement by it National President, Mr. Ben Ukaoha Esq. adding that this is to facilitate the quick dispensation and resolution of purely (within the border) commercial disputes, particularly as concerns the implementation of regional policies in member states. This consideration would have a positive spill-over effect on intra-regional trade.

Mr. Ken Ukaoha Esq NANTS President

On the need for synergy between National Laws and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Treaty, he observed that there is greater need for synergy between national laws and ECOWAS Treaty and Protocols in other to fast-track compliance of the latter by member states.

In order to strengthen the legal department of NANTS, Ukaoha noted that the legal department of NANTS needs to be strengthened in order to formidably assist in seeking redress and/or represent traders in actionable matters in the Courts, particularly when and where their “rights to trade” are infringed upon through arbitrary imposition of rules.

Others are unnecessary delays of goods at the border resulting in loses to the importer/exporter, harassments of women cross border traders, illegal non-tariff barriers, etc.

He called for specific sanctions for member states that have more than the approved number of check points on border routes. One serious bane of integration in ECOWAS is the lack or absence of sanction mechanism to deter member states officials from the tendency of impunity and arbitrariness in operations and enforcement of rules or adherence to obligations.

According to him, there should be a developed regional emblem/sticker to be used on goods that have passed custom checks. This would reduce and or eliminate repeated checks which cause undue delays at the borders.

“In the same vein, Security arrangements at border points and along border routes should be harmonized to avoid multiple checks and harassment of importers," he stated.”

On ways to improved inter-agency coordination, NANTS National President said there should be greater inter-agency cooperation at the borders, particularly, between the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) of all member states.

“In fact, ECOWAS should work towards designing a proper coordination mechanism which binds the Customs of member states together even with frequent meetings with other agencies located at the border,” he further stated.

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Japan: Nigeria Sends Solidarity Message

BY SUCCESS KANAYO UCHIME

The Federal Government of Nigeria has sent a message of solidarity to the government and people of Japan over the last Friday’s tsunami and quake that devastated the Asian nation and resulted to the tragic loss of lives and property.

Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of Nigeria

This message is contained in letter by the Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and addressed to the Prime Minister Naoto KanNaoto Kan and made public on Friday, March 11.

In the letter President Jonathan conveyed the solidarity of the government and people of Nigeria with Japan as it strives to cope with the devastating aftermath of the colossal natural disaster and give relief to affected persons and areas.

Jonathan stated: “Our hearts go out to the families of all those who have lost their lives, as well as others who have suffered sundry injuries and losses in this disaster.”

“In expressing our solidarity with the Japanese government and people at this time, we pray to God Almighty for strength, succor and quick recovery in the affected areas,” the President wrote.

It’s to noted that Japan's massive earthquake rocked the northern part of the country with an 8.9 magnitude quake and then a 30-foot tall tsunami wave.

Analyst described it as Japan’s tsunami worst crisis since world war 11 and it’ll be observed that people across a devastated swath of Japan suffered for a third day Sunday without water, electricity and proper food, as the country grappled with the enormity of a massive earthquake and tsunami that has left untold hardship to the people.

Again two nuclear reactors have suffered partial meltdowns since the earthquake, while families around Japan's earthquake-ravaged region are reunited with loved ones.

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How 60-year Old Japanese Man Survived Tsunami

BY SUCCESS KANAYO UCHIME

It was all songs of joy for a 60-year Japanese man who survived the tsunami that hit the country on Friday, by clinging to the swept-away remnants of his home on the sea for more than two days.


This revelation is contained in a report by Minami Sanriku of CNN adding that Hiromitsu Shinkawa who was found more than nine miles out of the sea simply declared: "I thought today was the last day of my life."

Hiromitsu Shinkawa waving to a rescue team picture by AP/Defence Ministry

He said that Shinkawa was found on Sunday March 13, 2011, by the rescue team, Maritime Self-Defense Force waving his hands to them and that when they spotted him, he was floating off the coast of Fukushima's Futaba town on the roof of his house after being swept away in a tsunami. He was in good condition.

Sanriku noted that amazing stories of survival began to emerge in Japan, even amid the horrific destruction of the massive quake and subsequent tsunami that has killed nearly 1,600, destroyed tens of thousands of homes and stoked fears of a potential nuclear power plant meltdown.

He said that a woman was found clinging to tree during tsunami, while other survivors were found in car in debris scattered all over the places.

According to Sanriku, three elderly people were found alive in a smashed car that had been tossed by the tsunami adding that another woman clung to branches in a tree and took her chances by grabbing onto a floor mat that drifted nearby.

“The rushing currents pushed her around and around, past many buildings. Her daughter was washed away and remains missing,” he stated.

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