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Scientists in Mexico Scramble to Deploy Seismic Sensors

Natalie Schachar

October 02, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Mexico, Mexico City

Scientists in Mexico are deploying instruments to create a network using GPS, pressure and seismic data, to track the movement of tectonic plates with the goal of creating models of earthquakes and tsunamis that would help mitigate loss of life in the next disaster. The decision to focus on the Guerrero Gap was prompted by the 2011 quake and resulting tsunami that devastated parts of Japan. That came from an event similar to what happens in the Gap, prompting a Japanese scientistic group to invest in the research in Mexico.

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In flood-prone South Asia, early warning systems buy precious time

Irwin Loy

September 05, 2017 |

The New Humanitarian (formerly IRIN) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nepal

South Asia is prone to flooding during monsoon season, this can lead to deaths and building damage. SMS warning systems have recently been implemented in order to warn residents when they are in danger, the system has a lot of room to grow but it has proven to be helpful in reducing deaths.

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Inside the Organization Helping Immigrant Communities Survive Hurricane Harvey

Francie Diep

September 01, 2017 |

Pacific Standard |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

Ethnically-specific disaster relief services are especially prudent in the city of Houston where more than one in five residents report speaking English less than "very well." An organization called Boat People SOS (formed in the 1980s to aid Vietnam War refugees coming by boat) is providing critical support to the Vietnamese population in the city, directing them to shelters, hospitals, food, and even FEMA funds later on. This article talks about the role the nonprofit played in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

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Fiji's Climate Champion Speaks Up for Women in the Wake of Cyclones

Sonia Narang

August 08, 2017 |

News Deeply |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Fiji, Burenitu, Viti Levu

After a huge cyclone devastated a remote Fijian village, Eta Tuvuki worked to open communication channels between women and public officials. Her efforts are not only making women's voices heard, but they allow for the dispersal of critical information during disasters.

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Madagascar skirted famine – barely. Now, it's boosting resilience before drought returns.

Peter Ford

July 25, 2017 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Madagascar, Ambovombe, Androy

Drought in Madagascar grows worse each year as its minimal public infrastructure and extensive poverty slow efforts by the UN and various NGOs for food and water distribution. But in recognizing the severity of the cyclical water shortages, organizations are piloting new approaches. These include solar pumps from portable groundwater sources; distribution and cultivation of drought- and rot-resistant seed strains for staple crops; cash-stipends for "productive goods," delivered by phone to bypass the problem of damaged roads -- which are building newfound resilience among residents.

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How Mongolia's nomads are adapting to climate change

Jacopo Pasotti

July 24, 2017 |

Deutsche Welle (DW) |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Mongolia

Mongolia’s nomadic, pastoral families are banding together to strengthen their resilience in the face of climate change. With their economic livelihoods dependent on livestock production, they feel the effects of warming temperatures more than many. By combining their resources and communally managing their pastures, they’ve been able to be less vulnerable to severe weather.

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Thailand's Disease Detectives

Ruth Evans

July 11, 2017 |

BBC |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Thailand, Chiang Mai

"Poor man Instagram" is how vets at Chiang Mai University describe their system of pandemic preparedness and emergency prevention. Recruiting community members throughout the region to be disease detectives, the scientists train these volunteers to use a mobile app that allows them to document dead animals that may have been sick with an illness that could pose a threat to humans. When scientists are alerted of cases, they are then able to investigate and intervene if the situation merits danger.

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Stopping Pandemics Before They Start

Tina Rosenberg

June 27, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Norway

With climate change, population pressures and mobilization epidemics will occur more frequently, and past ones have proven to be disastrous and expensive. The Center for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is focused on developing vaccines to viruses such as Ebola, as well as creating a fast approval path for future vaccines and helping increase global preparedness for future epidemics.

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The Dutch Have Solutions to Rising Seas. The World Is Watching.

Michael Kimmelman

June 15, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Netherlands, Rotterdam

Rotterdam is increasingly threatened by climate change and the rising water levels that accompany it. Yet instead of building barriers, city officials are choosing to work with the water to help it flow through the city, via the nationwide 'Room for the River' project. This innovation, among others, such as the construction of parking lots that double as emergency reservoirs, embodies Rotterdam’s larger commitment to connect “water management with social welfare and neighborhood improvements.”

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Could we better handle catastrophes if we knew they were coming?

Larry Mantle

May 24, 2017 |

Southern California Public Radio (KPCC) |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States

Experts warn us about disasters. Climate change, 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the rise of ISIS were all predicted ahead of time. Listening to these warnings requires pushing past the desire to shut down when contemplating big catastrophes, looking critically at available data, and being willing to entertain the possibility that an event can happen that has never happened before.

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