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How to Build a Perfect Refugee camp

Mac McClelland

February 13, 2014 |

The New York Times |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Turkey, Kilis Merkez, Kilis

Refugee camps typically look like a prison with squalid conditions and barbed wire tops. By contrast, the Kilis refugee camp in Turkey is orderly, secure, and clean; has schools for children; has grocery stores, and is powered with electricity. The camp is not run by the United Nations, but rather it is Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency that oversees every detail and pours billions of dollars into maintaining it every year.

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Preparing for Disaster by Betting Against It

Georgia Levenson Keohane

February 12, 2014 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, necessity has bred an interesting kind of financial invention for the New York MTA: the world’s first “catastrophe” bond - a reinsurance for the insurer - designed to protect public transportation infrastructure, specifically against storm surge. These bonds privatize risk for public gain, creating a kind of tool that may protect economic development against all kinds of natural and man-made disasters around the world.

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Malawian Farmers Say Adapt To Climate Change Or Die

Jennifer Ludden

January 01, 2014 |

NPR |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Malawi, Chikwawa, Southern Region

In just the next couple of decades, the World Bank says, farmers across Africa could lose more than half their cropland to drought and heat - the issue is considered so pressing that, a few years ago, Malawi's Department of Meteorological Services added "Climate Change" to its name. A new aid group group now works with farmers in more than 60 villages — with plans to expand — helping them become more resilient to a changing climate.

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The women who bear the scars of Sierra Leone's civil war

Jean Friedman-Rudovsky

November 16, 2013 |

The Telegraph |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Sierra Leone, Binkolo, Bombali District

The bloody civil war that tore through Sierra Leone for over a decade was one of the most devastating and violent in Africa's modern history. Those that suffered most were usually young woman, forced into combat, displaced, repeatedly raped and beaten. It has taken years for those who lived through the conflict to reclaim a normal life. One of the most powerful tools that many women leveraged were grassroots initiatives, funded by various NGOs, that the girls designed and led themselves, funding small businesses, support groups, and community projects.

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How Online Mapmakers Are Helping the Red Cross Save Lives in the Philippines

Robinson Meyer

November 13, 2013 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Philippines, Port-au-Prince

After typhoon Haiyan, the devastation to the Philippines was hard to locate and track. The Red Cross staffed volunteers to sort through crowd-sourced data to create maps. The Humanitarian OpenStreetMap software application has helped the Red Cross better organize search and rescue operations.

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Giving public school kids a seat at S.F.'s tables

Courtney E. Martin

November 08, 2013 |

SFGate |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

The Bay Area has the seventh-highest-ranking income disparity between rich and poor in the United States, and food is one of the most poignant indicators of the division. But a new collaboration between the design firm Ideo and the San Francisco Unified School District is trying to close that Grand Canyon-size chasm with an innovative approach to student nutrition.

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Into the Wildfire

Paul Tullis

September 19, 2013 |

The New York Times Magazine |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Between climate change and an ever increasing population, wildfires are becoming more and more of an annual challenge to mitigate, with firefighters and policy makers walking a thin edge between the need for natural burns to maintain the healthy, safe growth of forests and the risks of letting fires get too close to developed property and human life. New advances in science and technology are helping scientists and land managers better understand not only how fires burn and spread, but how to contain them while educating the public about their importance.

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Hurricane Tips From Cuba

Jean Friedman-Rudovsky

July 29, 2013 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Cuba

Despite the fact that Cuba and the United States have had no bilateral relations for decades, the countries' meteorological institutions do collaborate by exchanging information about weather. This relationship could be extended to disaster preparation. Cuba is able to prevent greater damage using a storm preparation system that includes removing potential dangers, evacuation simulations and making the heads of every institution part of the Cuban Civil Defense force when a storm hits.

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In Bangladesh, More Shelter From the Storms

Amy Yee

July 24, 2013 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bengal

In a country of limited resources — and perhaps for that very reason — preparing for natural disasters is top of the agenda in Bangladesh. Various grassroots, collaborative programs have been put in place over the years to help address many facets of the calamities caused by cyclones, from improved emergency shelters to long-term support for those who lose their livelihoods in the storms.

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Hot, Crowded and Smart

Sarah Goodyear

July 22, 2013 |

Next City |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Antonio, Texas

For the past three years, water levels in the San Antonio Edwards Aquifer have decreased to uncomfortable levels and drought periods may continue as the population booms. The San Antonio Water System organization has set up rules to limit water use and has recycled water for conservation frugal innovation.

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