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Donors overstretched, need more coordination: UN
U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland said that the global emergency relief system was overstretched and underfunded. There was also a need for more co-ordination. Because of recent disasters, many countries' needs have dropped off the radar of potential donors. "There is not enough money, there is not enough aid, too many children go hungry to bed because we cannot feed them, we cannot vaccinate them even, we cannot put them to school, we cannot give them adequate shelter because we don't have enough resources," he said
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Weather Clears and Aid Pours Into Pakistan, Â Indian Aid Relief Arrives, After a Delay,
Supplies fly to Kashmir quake zone but aid slow, Â Hunt for Pakistani quake victims a slow, grim job,
Pakistani Girl Spent Four Days in Rubble, Â Army of Volunteers Helps Quake Victims,
Quake Relief Efforts Pick Up in India, Â Himalayan winter the new threat to quake survivors,
Peace Bus Passengers Homes Destroyed, Â Rice Promises More U.S. Aid for Pakistan
Relief flights to Pakistan resumed after rain and hail. Aid was beginning to reach those cut off by landslides, but there are many more who have not yet been reached. Some people walked in carrying tools or supplies. A 5-year-old girl was rescued by a specialist team after four days. One family from Pakistan's part of Kashmir which had taken advantage of the "peace bus" to visit relatives in India would probably have lost their lives if they had not, as their home was destroyed. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Islamabad, promising long term aid. A plain from India was turned back because the airport was full, but it was able to fly a little later. Few are likely to be rescued alive now, but there are many dead to recover. More than 24,000 people are known to have died and about 50,000 injured. Around 1 million are homeless. Rain and snow were forecast and only 5,000 of the estimated 35,000 tents they need have arrived. They also need warm clothing and blankets.
More Guatemalan Flood Victims Reached
Emergency response teams reached more villages which had previously been cut off by floodwaters for nearly a week. Hundreds have died, hundreds are missing and over 120,000 have had to leave their homes.
More Rain Forecast for Flooded N.H. Area
More rain is forecast for flood-hit southwestern New Hampshire. Rescue crews and police dogs are searching for victims of the floods. At least 10 people have died in the floods.
More Refineries Needed, Official Says
ConocoPhillips CEO James Mulva says that the U.S. needs both to expand existing oil refineries and to build more. There have been increased concerns about oil refining capacity since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita shut down more than a dozen refineries along the Gulf Coast.
Blast Shuts Northern Iraq Oil Pipeline
An oil pipeline that transports oil from Kirkuk to refineries in Beiji in northern Iraq was shut down by an explosion on Wednesday. Exports go by pipeline from Beiji to the port of Ceyhan, Turkey.
Natural Gas Users to Take Hit This Winter
People who use natural gas to heat their homes in the USA this winter can expect to pay nearly half as much again as last year. Others will also see big jumps in their bills.
Colo. Highways Reopen; Snowstorm Kills 3
Three people died during a snow storm in Colorado which closed roads and schools. The roads have been reopened and power was being reconnected.
Environmentalists Want Wildlife Overpass
Thousands of deer and other animals die trying to cross I-70 and other Colorado roadways. Environmentalists want a 55-foot-wide landscaped bridge near Vail.
U.S. Forecasts Warmer Than Normal Winter
The National Weather Service has forecast a warmer than normal winter in the Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, north Texas, northern New Mexico and southern and eastern Colorado, and possibly adjoining states, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii.
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