The Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has set up a 13-man committee to conduct a need assessment on the nation’s borders.
The members of the committee are drawn from officials from the Ministry; Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service, Border Community Development Agency, Community Boundary Commission, and a consultant.
The committee named, ” Integrated Border Governance Committee”, was charged by the minister to develop a plan to adequately secure Nigeria’s borders.
The committee was given 18 weeks to deliver on its mandates.
A statement on Saturday by the Ministry’s Director of Press, Afonja Ajibola said the minister set up the committee on during a presentation on border management and control by a consultant in his office.
It partly read,” Tunji-Ojo instructed that the committee should endeavor to have a robust deliberation and create a border management plan that is implementable to secure the country.
“The Minister said what is of importance to him about border management is the aspect of internal security which he said is a massive task which requires the synergy of all critical stakeholders.
“He painted a scenario of Nigerians community at borderline attending school in the neighboring foreign country. Tunji-Ojo, added that the loyalty of that Nigerian would naturally be with the foreign country, he then queried, how would the country achieve security.
“The Minister said the country must stop paying a lip service to border management. He said that enough budgetary allocation must be made available for the provision of social infrastructures to these contiguous border communities for the people to feel belonged to their country.”
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character, Idris Wase, has promised to work towards ensuring that the composition of government agencies reflects the federal character to promote national unity.
Wase, who gave the assurance at the inaugural meeting of the committee in Abuja, said the committee would be diligent in its oversight duties to ensure there is equitable distribution of employment across the country.
He said the committee was better equipped with adequate legislative backing to dispense its core mandate.
He also noted that the Federal Character Commission would appear before the committee on Tuesday, to brief it on the commission’s level of compliance with the equitable spread of employment across the board.
He said, “We will only do justice and continue to do the right thing. I want to say that we should take this as a priority. First, colleagues I want to refer you to section 14(3) of the Constitution, it says the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or any of it’s agencies.
“This is the main thrust of our committee and our function does not just end at the national level. This is where we have to start our work immediately. We want to believe maximally that by next week Tuesday, we should have another meeting with the Federal Character Commission,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
He added, “We have offices in all the states of Nigeria and they are supposed to be monitoring this particular section that I quoted. Unfortunately, not much is being done and that provision is in Section 14(4) which says, ‘The composition of the government of a state, a local government council, or any of the agencies of such government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among all the people of the federation.
“It means the function that the federal character is supposed to be doing is also to be concerned about how government businesses are carried out, how employments are carried out. This is the mandate that we must ensure this time around, that our various state offices carry out such and we will carry out our oversight on them effectively and efficiently.
Continuing, he pointed out, “I will also read to you the federal character as a commission, what they are expected to do for the nation, which we are supposed to oversight. Taken from the constitutional provisions that I just read, it says the federal character commission shall comprise the following members, a chairman, and one person to represent each state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The chairman and members are to be appointed by the President, subject to the confirmation of the Senate.”
He pleaded with his colleagues to ensure that they do their best, believing that they are better equipped and capable of handling what is enshrined in the constitution.
“There is no time for us to go to bed, and there is no time for us to rest,” he stated.
International Monetary Fund logo is seen outside the headquarters building during the IMF/World Bank spring meeting in Washington, U.S., April 20, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended the Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to remove restrictions on 43 items previously restricted from accessing foreign exchange at the official window.
The IMF also acknowledged that the newly appointed officials under President Bola Tinubu have initiated a series of reforms aimed at delivering favourable outcomes for Nigerians. It however, noted that the reforms may require time to achieve the desired results.
Also, in a speech he presented at the ongoing World Bank and the IMF meetings, the World Bank President, Ajay Banga, praised the ingenuity of Nigerian entrepreneurs, saying that he feels their yearnings to contribute to the growth of society.
The Director of the African Department, IMF, Abebe Aemro Selassie, friday unveiled IMF’s approval of Nigeria’s decision to remove forex restrictions on the 43 items, during a media briefing on the Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa in Marrakech, Morocco, at the ongoing IMF/World Bank Annual meetings.
Selassie, also harped on the need to enhance tax reforms so as to improve revenue generation, create more fiscal space and reduce its burden of servicing and acquiring debts.
On the trade restrictions, he said, “The view of the IMF is that Nigeria and many other economies are so sophisticated and complex, that I don’t think that these kinds of restrictions work.
“The best way to manage a modern economy is to have fiscal policy lever and monetary policy lever to use to affect the kind of policy outcome you want, rather than saying I don’t like these goods and so I don’t want it to come in, etc, that tends to create an unhelpful distortion.
“Of course, there are tax policies you can also use if you really want to be against certain types of imports. In general, I think the direction the CBN has moved is a helpful one.”
Selassie further revealed that Nigeria’s debt was sustainable, just as he said the country was not in talks with the IMF on debt restructuring.
“I am not aware of any debt discussions that are going on, debt profiling or debt restructuring in Nigeria. In Nigeria, the most important cause of the pressures is the fact that the government does not generate enough tax revenue for all the services it needs to provide.
“Interest payment as a share of revenue is very high and does not leave much room to spend on other issues, that is the key issue that needs to be worked on.
“While there is not enough tax revenue, I think in the past reliance on oil when prices were high and secondly the subsidy regime which also implies and entails lots of government resources being directed where they should not be.
“These are all interlinked issues including causing some of the inflation that you have and the difficulty to tap into the international capital market. That is why the government has had to rely more on domestic financing which of course has crowded out the private sector and put constraints on monetary injections which has weakened the exchange rate.”
He noted that Nigeria has “incredible potential and we have seen reforms moving in the right direction in recent months.
He said: “What is needed, we feel, is making the reforms holistic and help reinforce each other (monetary and fiscal policy).
“Just as things were not reinforcing each other in the past, there is scope to make the reforms reinforce each other. So, the exchange rate reforms that the government did were very welcome in trying to unify the rates.
“Similarly, the fuel subsidy will not help or stick unless they tighten monetary policy and also you are doing something to mobilise more tax revenue.
“So, a holistic package of reforms is what is needed and we have to give a bit of time to the new administration also.
“The CBN governor has just been appointed, and the minister of finance has only been appointed a few weeks. So, we are hopeful that they will move in the right direction and we stand to provide every policy advice that the government needs.”
On Nigeria’s debt level, he added that it was manageable.
He said: “So the assessment of debts should not be based on the nominal value of a debt stock but on how it relates to many other economic variables.”
Regarding monetary policy coordination, he added that it was important to emphasise that addressing the exchange rate gap required more than just necessary adjustments and corrections.
He stressed that it must be complemented by the implementation of stricter monetary policy conditions.
The CBN had on Thursday, declared that importers of 43 items previously restricted from accessing foreign exchange (FX) at the official window were now allowed to purchase FX in the Nigerian foreign exchange market going forward.
The Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, has restored regulatory services to one of its licensees, Globacom Limited.
The development came as Globacom successfully cleared its outstanding debt obligations to the commission for unpaid spectrum fees, numbering fees and annual operating levy, AOL
The telecom regulator said; “it has also stepped down planned enforcement action against Globacom over its breach of extant regulations by failing to pay its debts despite several demand notices.
This was disclosed in a statement by Director, Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka.
The Commission had temporarily withdrawn the suspension of regulatory services to Globacom in a letter dated May 22, 2023, titled “Re: Continuous Breach of Commission’s Laws and Regulations.”
The suspension of regulatory services to Globacom was automatically reinstated after it failed to meet the conditions for the earlier withdrawal.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted approval for the Federal Capital Territory Administration to be pulled out from the unified Treasury Single Account, TSA, with immediate effect.
Nigeria, in 2015, introduced the TSA, as a public accounting system which allows for a single account to ensure all revenue receipts and payments are done through a Consolidated Revenue Account, CRA, at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who announced the development at a press statement on Friday, stated that the development will allow the FCT Administration have more access to fund projects.
Wike, while commending the president for taking the bold step, said the removal of TSA will also help address the issues of uncompleted projects littered across the territory.
“Central bank cannot give us loan, and even the IGR are spent as they come, which you cannot tangibly do anything with it.
“I said to Mr. President if you want FCT to really carry out its developmental projects and infrastructure, then it must come out of TSA. We (FCT Administration) are not a revenue generating agency of the federal government, then what financial linkages are you blocking.
The revenue comes in, and it will go to the Central Bank of Nigeria. And we need money to do projects, I can’t go to the Central Bank to give us money, and can’t go to the commercial banks, they will ask how do you pay back? So, I said we must pull out, that’s the only way, we can survive it.
“Mr. President graciously agreed with us and approved that we should pull out from the Single Treasury Account. You will see that from next year it will be projects upon projects in FCT, and what you saw in Port Harcourt, Abuja would be something else. So for us, it is one of the happiest days, and we have to thank Mr. President for foresight.”
The President also approved the implementation of an FCT Civil Service Commission which will be responsible for appointment, promotion and discipline of workers in the FCT Administration.
This development is coming five years after the National Assembly passed the FCT Civil Service Commission bill into law. The law enables FCTA Civil Servants to rise to the peak of their career.
The President also approved the creation of a secretariat for women affairs to cater for the needs of women and children as obtainable in the states.
“In 2018, the NASS pass a bill into law which was accented to by former Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo which allow the FCT to have a Civil Service Commission but many people don’t have the will power to implement it.
“After how many years this fight has been on but in few months Mr President has been able to take the bold decision of approving these 3 key issues.”
He urged citizens to embrace the development as they are in the overall interest of the territory.
“People may kick against it but it is about the interest of the city, about the interest of Civil Servants and interest of women in the FCT.”
The Federal Government, on Friday, announced that Nigeria’s oil production has increased to about 1.7 million barrels per day, up from the 1.1mbpd recorded in August 2023.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, disclosed this in a session with journalists at his office in Abuja on Friday.
He said, “We have a sole agenda and it is to increase crude oil production. Once you increase production there will be more revenue for Nigeria and that is the recipe to virtually all the problems we have in this country.
“You know that Nigeria is very dependent on oil, even our budget is always predicated on how many barrels of oil we produce. Although the non-oil sector is thriving, for us to solve our problems we need to earn enough forex.
“And substantial part of our forex comes from the oil sector. So my ambition is to see how I can lead the sector to increase production and how we can get more revenue to be able to fund strategic national projects.
“We are already increasing production steadily. As at August it was about 1.1mbpd, but as at today it has increased to between 1.3 and 1.4mbpd exclusive of condensates, if you include condensates it will be about 1.7mbpd.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, has been appointed by the World Bank to chair the African Governors’ Forum of the global financial institution.
This was made known in a post on X (Twitter) by Federal Ministry of Finance, titled ‘World Bank’s appointment’ on Saturday.
It reads : “Nigeria’s Minister @FinMinNigeria & Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun has been appointed to Chair the African Governors’ Forum of the World Bank.
Today in History: October 8, The Great Chicago Fire breaks out
The Great Chicago Fire was a conflagration that burned in the American city of Chicago during October 8–10, 1871. The fire killed approximately 300 people, destroyed roughly 3.3 square miles (9 km2) of the city including over 17,000 structures, and left more than 100,000 residents homeless.
OCTOBER 09
Today in History: October 9, Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award on October 9, 2009, citing Obama’s promotion of nuclear nonproliferation and a “new climate” in international relations fostered by Obama, especially in reaching out to the Muslim world.
OCTOBER 10
Today in History: October 10, U.S. Naval Academy is established in Annapolis, Maryland
On Oct. 10, 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy was established in Annapolis, Maryland. On this date: In 1911, Chinese revolutionaries launched an uprising that led to the collapse of the Qing (or Manchu) Dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China.
OCTOBER 11
Today in History: October 11, astronaut Kathryn D. Sullivan becomes the first American woman to walk in space
On October 11, 1984, a female American astronaut stepped outside her spacecraft for the first time. Kathryn D. “Kathy” Sullivan had work to do in the payload bay of the Space Shuttle Challenger, a mobile workplace travelling 17,500 miles per hour about 140 miles above the Earth.
Today in History: October 12, “Gang of Four” arrested in China
On Oct. 12, 1976, it was announced in China that Hua Guofeng had been named to succeed the late Mao Zedong as chairman of the Communist Party, and that Mao’s widow and three others, known as the “Gang of Four,” had been arrested.
OCTOBER 13
Today in History: October 13, 33 Chilean miners rescued after 69 days underground
On Oct. 13, 2010, rescuers in Chile using a missile-like escape capsule pulled 33 men one by one to fresh air and freedom 69 days after they were trapped in a collapsed mine a half-mile underground.
OCTOBER 14
Today in History: October 14, Martin Luther King wins Nobel Peace Prize
On Oct. 14, 1964, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was named winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. On this date: In 1066, Normans under William the Conqueror defeated the English at the Battle of Hastings.https://apnews.com/today-in-history
Dear Lagosians, Here is an important update on our metro line. Starting Monday, October 16, 2023, we’re increasing train trips on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line from 12 to 54, with plans for 74 trips by the end of November.
To make this transition, we’ll need to shut down train services on Saturday, October 14 after the morning peak service and for the entire day on Sunday, October 15, for the switch to electricity. This momentary pause is to ensure that your safety is our top priority.
I can assure you that suspending passenger operations is a global practice to effect major changes. This switch to electricity will help us introduce more trips and help us serve more passengers safely.
I’m proud to say that we launched the first phase of the LRMT Blue Line on September 4, 2023 and we have moved over 80,000 passengers. Our goal is to surpass 150,000 daily passengers between Marina and Mile 2 in the coming months. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_o6ryVtXOQ&t=16s
Lagos Rail Mass Transit is a rapid transit system in Lagos State. The rail system is managed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
The railway equipment including electric power, signals, rolling stock, and fare collection equipment will be provided by the private sector under a concession contract. LAMATA is responsible for policy direction, regulation, and infrastructure for the network.
The first section of the network, Phase I of the Blue Line, was originally planned to be completed in 2011, though the construction has suffered many delays caused by shortage of funds and change of government.
In February 2021, the Lagos State Government announced that the Blue and Red Lines would be open by December 2022 but Blue Line opened on September 4, 2023.
Timeline
2008: A metro is proposed for Lagos, allegedly with a completion date of 2011.
2009: Construction commences on the Blue Line.
2016: Phase I (the Blue Line from Marina to Mile 2) planned to open in December 2016.
2018: After an Alstom review of the project, Phase I (the Blue Line from Marina to Mile 2) is now set to open in 2021.
2021: The Lagos State Government announced that the Blue and Red Lines will open in December 2022.
2022, January: LAMATA purchases two Talgo VIII trains.
On Jan 24, 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the first phase of the Lagos Mass Transit Blue Line Rail Project.
On September 4, 2023, Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu officially opened the Blue Rail transit for public use.
In 1989, the United Nations General Assembly designated October 13 as the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) to promote a global culture of disaster risk reduction.
The International Day is an opportunity to acknowledge global progress in preventing and reducing disaster risk and losses.
ON SPACE.COM…. let’s look at disasters of 2023 and solutions proffered by Support Groups.
Libya Floods
Storm Daniel, also known as Cyclone Daniel, was the deadliest Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone in recorded history, as well as the costliest tropical cyclone on record outside of the north Atlantic Ocean.
Forming as a low-pressure system around 4 September 2023, the storm affected Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey with extensive flooding.
The storm then organized as a Mediterranean low and was designated as Storm Daniel.
It soon acquired quasi-tropical characteristics and moved toward the coast of Libya, where it caused catastrophic flooding before degenerating into a remnant low.
The storm was the result of an omega block; a high-pressure zone sandwiched between two zones of low pressure, with the isobars shaping like the Greek letter omega.
Libya’s vulnerability to such disasters was blamed on its civil war, which damaged critical infrastructure and left it in poor condition before the storm. In the aftermath, several countries along the Mediterranean Sea pledged to provide aid to affected countries.
LIBYA FLOOD – HUMANITARIAN AID
President Joseph R. Biden announced that the United States, through USAID and the U.S. Department of State, is providing $11 million in additional humanitarian assistance to the people of Libya affected by devastating flooding in the northeastern part of the country.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) announced an emergency appeal for 10 million Swiss Francs to scale up the Libyan Red Crescent’s relief efforts in response to the floods caused by Storm Daniel in north-eastern Libya.
The humanitarian scale-up continues; 21 humanitarian partners are operating in the affected areas and have reached over 125,000 people.
China’s emergency humanitarian aid to the flood-hit Libya arrived in the eastern city of Benghazi and was delivered to the Libyan side at a handover ceremony.
The 90 tonnes of emergency supplies include tents, blankets, life vests, water purifiers, patient monitors, and ultrasound diagnostic equipment.
Prior to the delivery, the Red Cross Society of China provided the Libyan Red Crescent Society with emergency aid in cash worth $200,000.
Morocco Earthquake
On 8 September 2023 at 23:11 DST, an earthquake with a moment magnitude of 6.8–6.9 and maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe) struck Morocco’s Marrakesh–Safi region.
The earthquake’s epicentre was located 73.4 km (45.6 mi) southwest of Marrakesh.
It occurred as a result of shallow oblique-thrust faulting beneath the mountain range.
At least 2,960 deaths were reported, with most occurring outside Marrakesh.
Damage was widespread, and historic landmarks in Marrakesh were destroyed. The earthquake was also felt in Spain, Portugal, and Algeria.
It is the strongest instrumentally recorded earthquake in Morocco, the deadliest in the country since the 1960 Agadir earthquake, and the second-deadliest earthquake of 2023 after the Turkey–Syria earthquake.
A total of over 2.8 million people from Marrakesh and areas surrounding the Atlas Mountains were affected, including 100,000 children.
Following the earthquake, many countries offered humanitarian assistance, and Morocco announced a three-day period of national mourning.
MOROCCO EARTHQUAKE – HUMANITARIAN AID
The Australian Government provided $1 million in emergency humanitarian assistance to people affected by the devastating earthquake in Morocco.
The funds will be provided through local organisations including the Red Cross and Red Crescent to deliver immediate life-saving assistance including emergency shelter, first aid, protection and psychological support.
Wednesday, September 13, Three British Chinook helicopters arrived Morocco from Gibraltar. They assisted the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces mobilized in the villages of the High Atlas, south of Marrakech, which were hit by the earthquake on the night of September 8, which has left an estimated 3,000 dead and 5,600 injured.
Three countries – Spain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar offered to dispatch search and rescue teams.
China Floods
The summer of 2023 has seen unprecedented flooding across China as mon-soon season, typhoons and intense rainfall have battered the country.
Beginning July 29, at least 16 cities and provinces in northeastern China experienced record rainfall and flooding due to Typhoon Doksuri, the fifth typhoon in the Pacific in 2023.
Beijing Experienced Its Heaviest Rainfall In 140 Years. The rain exceeded 60% of a typical year’s rain in just 83 hours.
August brought even more extreme rains and typhoons, exacerbating the monsoon season as the entire country dealt with mudslides, flooding and flash floods, putting immense stress on the flood control zones and infrastructure.
Northern China’s terrain is higher in the west and lower in the east, which allows rainfall to usually accumulate on the western side of the North China Plain and drain eastward into the ocean.
On Sept. 2, Typhoon Saola hit southern China, prompting the evacuation of more than 880,000 people.
CHINA FLOOD – HUMANITARIAN AID
The local government mobilised various rescue forces to relocate residents, repair roads, and restore power and communication to resume people’s normal lives as soon as possible.
The China Red Cross Foundation (CRCF) responded through the distribution of drinking water bottles in evacuation centres.
U.S. Tornadoes
The 2023 tornado season has been busy, with at least 1,310 preliminary reports of tornadoes and 1,159 tornadoes already confirmed in 2023 within the U.S. as of Sept. 26.
There were 128 in January, 56 in February, 195 confirmed in March, 160 in April, 126 in May, 210 in June, 83 in July and 65 so far in August. This total does not include all the tornadoes, as some still are in the investigative stages.
TRACK UP: Biden Tries To Reassure Mississippi Tornado Survivors
The first three months of 2023 exceeded the average, but April and May were below average.
January 2023’s total is the second-highest on record. February’s tornado total is one of the highest in recent years and the 10th most active on record.
Combined, January and February were the fourth-most active months on record. March was the fifth-highest on record, and the fifth consecutive year with a violent tornado, tying the record from 1963 to 1967.
June exceeded the average of deaths for the month after the storms on June 15.
More than half of the mainland states have experienced tornadoes, from California to Delaware and from Wisconsin to Texas. As of the end of the March, the estimated cost of the damage had reached $529.75 million.
When looking at fatalities, 2023 is stacking up to be one of the highest on record for the U.S.
In 2011, 553 people died in tornadoes, many in Joplin, Missouri. With 75 deaths this year is already within the top 10 for deaths. This is already three times higher than 2022.
U.S. TORNADOES – HUMANITARIAN AID
AmeriCares, a health-focused relief and development organization, has deployed an emergency response team that has begun their work in the heavily impacted areas in and around Mayfield, Kentucky.
CARE an international aid organization based in Atlanta, has provided water, food, shelter, and cash assistance to the families affected by the tornados.
Feeding America is committed to providing meals, water, and supplies to Kentucky and Arkansas’s heavily impacted areas.
The Salvation Army teams of personnel are providing meals to residents, first responders, and volunteers in Mayfield, Kentucky, a town that was directly in the path of the storms.
Direct Relief works in the U.S. and Teams continue a multi-state tornado response focusing on delivering essential medications to cold storage, such as antibiotics and insulin.
Turkey-Syria Earthquake
On February 6 2023, at 04:17 TRT, a 7.8 earthquake struck southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria.
The epicenter was 37 km west–northwest of Gaziantep.
The earthquake had a maximum Mercalli intensity of XII (Extreme) around the epicenter and in Antakya. It was followed by a Mw 7.7 earthquake at 13:24.
This earthquake was centered 95 km (59 mi) north-northeast from the first. There was widespread damage and tens of thousands of fatalities.
The Mw7.8 Earthquake Is The Largest In Turkey Since The 1939 Erzincan Earthquake Of The Same Magnitude, And Jointly The Second-Largest In The Country, After Larger Estimates For The 1668 North Anatolia Earthquake.
It is also one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded in the Levant. It was felt as far as Egypt and the Black Sea coast of Turkey.
There were more than 30,000 aftershocks in the three months that followed.
The seismic sequence was the result of shallow strike-slip faulting along segments of the East Anatolian and Sürgü–Çardak faults.
The confirmed death toll stood at 59,259: 50,783 in Turkey and 8,476 in Syria. It is the deadliest earthquake in what is now present-day Turkey since the 526 Antioch earthquake and the deadliest natural disaster in its modern history.
TURKEY-SYRIA EARTHQUAKE – HUMANITARIAN AID
Albania dispatched 88 medical personnel, search and rescue specialists, and 9 specialized vehicles to Turkey. Additionally, Albania pledged 1 million euros in support of humanitarian relief.
Bangladesh sent a 46-strong medical and rescue team to Turkey along with the rescue equipment, medicine, tents and food. The rescue team includes 24 members from the Bangladesh Army, 12 personnel from the Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defence and 10 medical professionals along with one journalist.
The government of Hong Kong dispatched a 59-strong team and two rescue dogs to Turkey to help search for survivors.
France pledged €12 million in aid for Syrians, distributed through the United Nations and non-governmental organizations.
The Government of Guyana donated US$100,000 for humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.
Turkish embassy in Nigeria announced sent important needs like winter clothes, blankets, tents, bed mattresses, foods, etc. to Turkey. Nigeria also pledged $1 million for Turkey-Syria earthquake donation.
Oman operated an air bridge to transport relief aid and medical supplies to Turkey and Syria. A search-and-rescue team was also dispatched to Turkey.
Maui Fire
The 2023 Maui fire ranks among the top 10 deadliest U.S. wildfires on record since 1871, according to the National Fire Protection Association. It is also the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii’s history, surpassing the deadly tsunami in 1960.
Authorities revised the death toll to 97, down from the previously reported 115, with 99% of the Lahaina disaster area searched, as of September 15, 2023.
Officials are keeping an updated list of missing people and are asking for the public’s help in this search for information.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green estimates the damage from the fires at nearly $6 billion.
Hurricane Dora, a Category 4 storm, had moved across the Pacific Ocean hundreds of miles south, generating high winds on the islands and fueling at least three fires on Maui on August 8.
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 14 people who ran into the ocean to escape the fire and smoke, according to Maui County officials.
The wildfires displaced thousands of people, while over 12,000 Maui residents lost power, and communications were knocked out. http://www.ln247.news
MAUI FIRE – HUMANITARIAN AID
More than 1,300 trained Red Cross disaster workers have deployed to Hawaii or helped virtually.
Together, the Red Cross and the county government have provided more than 257,000 overnight emergency shelter and hotel stays on Maui and Oahu.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced last week $1.3 million funding allocation to help communities on Maui in the wake of the wildfires through the department’s new Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) program.
Maui Food Bank: Collecting and distributing food to help the hungry in Maui County.
The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division: Providing food and resources for evacuees.
World Central Kitchen: Providing meals to people in need by partnering with local organizations.
Hawaii Lions Foundation: Matching up to $25,000 in donations for Maui disaster relief efforts.
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Disaster management aims to reduce, or avoid, the potential losses from hazards, assure prompt and appropriate assistance to victims of disaster, and achieve rapid and effective recovery.
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is an opportunity to celebrate the advancements made in lowering the impact of disasters and the resulting losses of health, lives and livelihoods.
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