Why is urgently-needed life-saving aid not forthcoming for the Kashmir earthquake survivors?
Kashmir Earthquake stories
Quake aid shortfall baffles, Â Governments Pledge More for Quake Relief
The United Nations cannot understand why so little aid has been forthcoming for the Pakistani earthquake survivors. Much of what has been pledged has been earmarked for specific uses such as reconstruction rather than immediate aid. The result is that the helicopters will soon be grounded when they are desperately needed. Hundreds of thousands could die if a lot more aid is not given soon.
Tetanus Kills 22 in Pakistan Quake Area, Â Quake-hit town waits to collect dead
22 people have died in the Kashmir earthquake are and many are threatened by lack of food or shelter. Many are ill as a result of untreated wounds or the conditions, which are worsening as winter approaches. There is one suspected case of hemorrhagic fever. WFP spokesman David Orr said, "More people could die in the aftermath from lack of shelter and food than in the earthquake itself." More aid is desperately needed. India has offered $25 million in aid to Pakistan. Aftershocks with magnitudes up to 5.2 have continued. Bodies still lie in collapsed buildings.
Hurricane and storm stories
Tropical Storm Beta bears down on Central America, Â Tropical Storm Beta gathering force off Nicaragua,
Season's 23rd Tropical Storm Forms
Tropical Storm Beta headed for San Andres and Providencia islands near Nicaragua Thursday en route to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama and was expected to reach hurricane force. The area has already been soaked by Hurricanes Stan and Wilma. Beta exceeds the precious record of 21 named storms in a season by 2. The hurricane season ends Nov. 30.
Heavy rains hit south India, death toll crosses 100
Unseasonably heavy rains hit southern India on Thursday, causing major floods and cutting off power. More than 100 people have been killed.
House panel OKs more flood borrowing
The House Financial Services Committee voted to give the an additional National Flood Insurance Program authorisation to borrow an additional $5 billion to help pay claims from Hurricane Katrina and other flood disasters, just to get the program through November.
Democrats Try to Protect Hurricane Voters
House Democrats have asked the Justice Department to defend the rights of hurricane evacuees, particularly those from New Orleans.
Bush to recycle $20 bln in Katrina funds: sources
The Bush administration was said to want Congress to take $15 billion to $20 billion in existing emergency funds to pay for the next round of Gulf Coast hurricane rebuilding.
FEMA Extends Brown's Contract by 30 Days
Former FEMA Director Michael Brown's contract with FEMA has been extended a further 30 days so he can participate in the review of the response to Hurricane Katrina. Not everyone approves.
Cuba Agrees to U.S. Offer of Hurricane Aid
Cuba has accepted a U.S. offer of emergency aid following Hurricane Wilma; the first time such an offer has been accepted. A team of 3 Americans will travel to Cuba to assess needs there.
Bush to Get First Look at Wilma's Damage, Â Chertoff Orders 'Air Bridge' for Wilma Aid,
Floridians Line Up Again for Food, Gas
President Bush planned to visit Florida Thursday to look at Hurricane Wilma damage and to visit the National Hurricane Center in Miami. 10 people are known to have died as a result of the storm. People struggled to find necessities, and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff promised plane loads of food, power generators, ice and water. Around a quarter of power had been restored. Lack of power affected grocery stores and gas stations.
Flooding Kills Six in Dominican Republic
The city of Puerto Plata in the northern Dominican Republic was flooded after heavy rains and 6 people died when a river burst its banks.
Tourists' Misery Spreads in Cancun, Â Reporter Describes Cancun Destruction
Tourists were still waiting to escape the post-hurricane Wilma chaos in Cancun, whilst there was more looting in some areas. Tourists and Mexicans shared what they had. All tourists have now been rescued from the island of Cozumel. There was major damage to the area. There was "significant damage" to coral reefs, and enough damage to trees to raise concerns of forest fires in the dry season.
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