Global Hazards Weekly Bulletin - 27^th February - 5^th March 2021

Coronavirus

WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Situational Report - 5^th March 2021

Regional Hazards

Africa

COVID-19 vaccines touchdown in Sudan and Rwanda

Country Hazards

Australia

Tropical cyclone developing near the coast of Queensland, Australia

Guinea

Ebola outbreak grows to 17 cases

Iceland

Sudden increase in seismic tremor southwest of Keilir at Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland

Indonesia

Major eruption at Sinaburg volcano produces large pyroclastic flows with ash up to 12.2km

New Caledonia

Severe Tropical Cyclone "Niran" heading toward New Caledonia

New Zealand

Very strong M7.2 earthquake hits off the east coast of North Island, New Zealand

Powerful earthquakes, including M8.1, M7.4 and M6.1 hit the Kermadec Islands - Tsunami warnings issued

Sweden

Salmonella outbreak in Sweden sickens 12

Ukraine

1st human dirofilariasis case reported in Ukraine this year

United Kingdom

Brazil P.1 COVID-19 variant cases reported in the UK

United States of America

Maryland reports death in multistate Listeria outbreak

Yemen

20 die after human traffickers force migrants into sea en route to Yemen

Climate Change

European Commission Impact Assessment

European Climate and Health Observatory to be launched on March 4^th 2021

Climate Change Risk Assessment for the Insurance Industry A holistic decision-making framework and key considerations for both sides of the balance sheet

UN Environment Programme: Making Peace with Nature - A scientific blueprint to tackle the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergencies

European Commission Forging a climate-resilient Europe - the new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change

Other items of interest:

Mental health alert for 332 million children linked to COVID-19 lockdown policies: UNICEF

New U.S. Strategy Would Quickly Free Billions in Climate Funds

ICNHD 2021: 15. International Conference on Natural Hazards and Disasters

Climate Adaptation Summit 2021

IUCN Global Standard for NbS

Words into Action: Nature-based solutions for disaster risk reduction

Scaling up disaster risk reduction in humanitarian action

7^th International Conference on Disaster Risk Management and Human Health Risk: Reducing Risks, Improving  Outcomes

Global Hazards Weekly Bulletin - 20^th February - 26^th February 2021

Coronavirus

WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Situational Report - 26^th February 2021

Regional Hazards

Asia

UNHCR appeals for immediate rescue of Rohingya refugees in distress on the Andaman Sea

South America

Battered by climate shocks and bruised by economic crisis millions more in Central America face hunger

Country Hazards

Brazil

Record flooding affects more than 100,000 people in Acre, northwestern Brazil

Guinea

Guinea starts Ebola vaccine campaign as cases emerge

Iceland

Very intense earthquake swarm shaking Reykjanes peninsula

Indonesia

Extreme monsoon rains submerge parts of capital Jakarta under 2.7m of water

Israel

Israel hit by worst environmental disaster in decades

Italy

Powerful eruption at Etna volcano

Philippines

More than 59,000 people flee as Dujuan brings widespread flooding and disruption to Philippines

South Sudan

Floods, fighting, famine: Inside South Sudan's triple crisis

Sudan

Sudan declares states of emergency after protests over soaring food prices

Sweden

Salmonella outbreak in Sweden sickens 12

Climate Change

The UK's Adaptation Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 2020

UN Environment Programme: Making Peace with Nature - A scientific blueprint to tackle the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergencies

European Commission Forging a climate-resilient Europe - the new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change

European Commission Impact Assessment

European Climate and Health Observatory to be launched on March 4^th 2021

Climate Change Risk Assessment for the Insurance Industry A holistic decision-making framework and key considerations for both sides of the balance sheet

Other items of interest:

Mami Mitzutori's Closing Address at the International Recovery Platform

 A living mapping review for COVID-19 funded research projects: three-month update

Before and after: how the 2011 earthquake changed Christchurch

Do Political Economy Factors Influence Funding Allocations for Disaster Risk Reduction?

Education Finance Watch 2021

Transdisciplinary Research Priorities for Human and Planetary Health in the Context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable

Development

UN Network on Migration Established in World's Largest Refugee-Hosting Country

Global Hazards Weekly Bulletin - 13^th - 19^th February 2021

Coronavirus

WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Situational Report - 19^th February 2021

Regional Hazards

Middle East

Disruptive snow falling over Syria, Lebanon and Israel

North America

Extreme cold hits United States - electricity and heating prices surge as infrastructure fails to deliver

Country Hazards

Greece

Historic snowstorm leaves 3 dead in Greece

Guinea

Ebola outbreak in Guinea: Efforts being ramped up to get ahead of virus

Italy

Spectacular eruption at Etna volcano

Japan

Severe snowstorm hits northern Japan, JMA warns it could become the strongest in years

Libya

Libya sees first snow in 15 years as cold snap hits parts of northern Africa and Middle East

Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone "Guambe" intensifying over the Mozambique Channel

New Zealand

Series of short-lived steam explosions at White Island following increase in volcanic tremor levels, New Zealand

South Africa

Weeks of heavy rains leave more than 30 fatalities in South Africa

United States of America

More than 3.8 million homes without power as unprecedented winter storm hits Texas

United Kingdom

Scotland reports H5N1 avian influenza in flock of gamebirds

Climate Change

Heat and health in the WHO European Region: updated evidence for effective prevention

Global Population Exposed to Extreme Events in the 150 Most Populated Cities of the World: Implications for Public Health

Other items of interest:

Pesticide suicides: what more evidence is needed to ban highly hazardous pesticides?

Measles: the long walk to elimination drawn out by COVID-19

Informal Caregiving and Disaster Risk Reduction: A Scoping Review

Equity in Vaccination: A Plan to Work with Communities of Color Toward COVID-19 Recovery and Beyond Working Group on Equity in COVID-19 Vaccination February 2021

Global Hazards Weekly Bulletin - 6^th - 12^th February 2021

Coronavirus

WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Situational Report - 12^th February 2021

Regional Hazards

Asia

Strengthening severe weather forecasting capabilities in South and Southeast Asia

Europe

Saharan dust plume with high values moving over Europe

IOM calls for end to pushbacks and violence against migrants at EU external borders

Oceania

Shallow M7.7 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia - Tsunami Watch in effect

Country Hazards

Central African Republic

'It is time to end the violence in the Central African Republic'

Democratic Republic of the Congo

New Ebola case reported in North Kivu Province

The 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan for the Democratic Republic of Congo will provide urgent assistance to 9.6 million vulnerable people. A budget of US$1.98 billion will be required to meet these needs

Ethiopia

Children in Tigray in acute need of protection and assistance

Guatemala

Increased explosive activity at Pacaya volcano, Alert Level raised to Yellow

India

Catastrophic rock and ice avalanche hits Uttarakhand, leaving more than 150 people missing

Mozambique

Aid workers warn on COVID-19 in camps for Mozambique cyclone victims

Myanmar

The United Nations continues lifesaving humanitarian assistance in Myanmar

Philippines

Strong and shallow M6.1 earthquake hits Mindanao

Russia

Moscow braces for major winter storm and record snow

Rwanda

WFP cuts refugees' food rations in Rwanda as funding declines

Somalia

Joint communication on the critical desert locust situation and emergency response in Somalia

South Africa

Brakpan Fire Engulfs 9 Stores While Flames Lick Nearby Hotel and Flat

Tanzania

Fears over unexplained deaths of Lake Victoria fish

United Kingdom

Mass disruption after 'extreme freeze' hits the UK

United States

At least 15 dead as the US sees the deadliest week of avalanches in over a century

Significant ice accumulation from the mid-Mississippi Valley to Ohio and Tennessee valleys

Yemen

Over two million children expected to go hungry or starve in 2021 - Save the Children

Climate Change

Addressing climate change and health in the Europe and Central Asia region

Priorities for protecting health from climate change in the WHO European Region: recent regional activities

WHO guidance for climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health care facilities

Community based flood early warning systems: Improving climate change adaptation in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region

Mitigating the effects of severe fire, floods and heatwaves through the improvements of land dryness measures and forecasts

Slow-onset climate hazards in Southeast Asia: Enhancing the role of social protection to build resilience

Pacific governments call for urgent action on disaster displacement in light of the climate crisis

WMO El Niño/La Niña Update

Other items of interest:

Preparedness and readiness against COVID-19 pandemic in prison institutions and detention centers in Southwest Ethiopia

Decoding public finance for disaster risk reduction and climate investments

SRSGs remarks at the Meeting of UCLG's Policy Council on Safer, Resilient and Sustainable Cities, Capable of Facing Crises

Global Hazards Weekly Bulletin - 30^th January - 5^th February 2021

Coronavirus

WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Situational Report - 5^th February 2021

Regional Hazards

Europe

Europe braces for significant continent-wide cold outbreak

North America

Major winter storm slams Northeast U.S. with heavy snow and freezing rain

Pacific

Category 2 Tropical Cyclone "Lucas" affecting Vanuatu and New Caledonia

Country Hazards

Australia

Perth bushfire: Evacuations as dozens of homes destroyed

Victoria drenched by a month's worth of rain in 12 hours while historic rains hit NSW, Australia

Central African Republic

Monkeypox returns to the Central African Republic

Chile

Severe storms hit Chile with hail and record rainfall

Cook Islands

Dengue outbreak declared in Cook Islands

Fiji

Tropical Cyclone "Ana" hits Fiji, leaving at least 1 person dead and 5 missing

Paraguay

At least 10 dead as severe floods and landslides hit Paraguay

Turkey

Destructive flash floods hit Izmir after more than a month's worth of rain in just 6 hours, Turkey

United States

Ice jam pushes St. Clair River to record levels, triggers devastating floods in Michigan, U.S.

Major winter storm brings damaging mudslides to California, may become a potential Nor'easter

E-coli outbreak sickens 16 on 5 states, One death in Washington

Climate Change

Intergovernmental engagement on health impacts of climate change

Unhealthy geopolitics: can the response to COVID-19 reform climate change policy?

WHO guidance for climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health care facilities

Other items of interest:

Understanding geopolitical determinants of health

Building Collaboration between CODATA and the DDI Alliance

Building resilient bridges

Filling the disaster data gap: Lessons from cataloguing Singapore's past disasters

Global Hazards Weekly Bulletin - 23rd - 29^th January 2021

Coronavirus

WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Situational Report - 29^th January 2021

Regional Hazards

Antarctica

Shallow M7.1 earthquake hits South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

Africa

India malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi, now widespread in the Horn of Africa

Country Hazards

Argentina

Argentina reports 145 confirmed Salmonella cases in Salta province

Australia

Victoria drenched by a month's worth of rain in 12 hours while historic rains hit NSW, Australia

Canada

Pertussis outbreak reported in Northwest Territories, Canada

Fiji

Tropical depression near Fiji to intensify into a tropical cyclone

Indonesia

Significant eruption at Merapi volcano, ash to 12.2 km (40 000 feet)

Mozambique

At least 12 killed after Tropical Cyclone "Eloise" makes landfall near Beira, Mozambique

Nigeria

Nigeria issues Lassa fever Public Health Advisory

Spain

Storm Hortense hits Mallorca with wind gusts up to 170 km/h (105 mph)

United States of America

Large tornado hits Fultondale, causing significant damage, Alabama

Strong winter storm slams California with floods and blizzard conditions

Rabies alert issued for Fairmount Heights, Maryland

Other items of interest:

World Economic Forum: The Global Risks Report 2021, 16^th Edition

UK Government: National Risk Register; 2020 Edition

$11 billion in damage from last summer's derecho: 'Historically it produced the most damage in the least amount of time.'

Global Hazards Weekly Bulletin: 16^th - 22^nd January 2021

Coronavirus

WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Situational Report - 22^nd January 2021

Scientists tackle vaccine safety, efficacy and access at global R&D forum

Single Covid vaccine dose in Israel 'less effective than we thought'

WHO: just 25 Covid vaccine doses administered in low-income countries

Regional Hazards

Africa

Tropical Storm "Eloise" forecast to strike Madagascar and Mozambique

Country Hazards

Argentina

Very strong and shallow M6.4 earthquake hits San Juan, Argentina

Australia

Tropical Cyclone "Kimi" to make landfall over Queensland, Australia

China

Trapped Chinese miners say thanks for medicine, call for sausages

India

Serum Institute: Fire at world's largest vaccine producer kills five

Indonesia

15 dead, 24 379 houses inundated as worst floods in 50 years hit South Kalimantan, Indonesia

Massive pyroclastic flow at Semeru volcano, Indonesia

Italy

New paroxysmal eruptive episode at Etna's Southeast Crater, Italy

Japan

Snowstorm causes 134-car pileup along Japanese highway; one dead

Peru

Peru reports worst dengue epidemic since 2017

Syria

Child dies as heavy rains turn Syria IDP camps into 'lakes'

Ukraine

Ukraine fire: Fifteen dead as blaze guts home for elderly

United Kingdom

Thousands evacuated as Storm Christoph hits UK with disruptive snow and historic flooding

Climate Change

The UK's Adaptation Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 2020

European Commission Acequia report: climate change, droughts and water uses (published 2020)

European Commission Expected implications of climate change on the corrosion of structures (published 2020)

European Commission Thermal design of structures and the changing climate (published 2020)

European Commission Drought in a changing climate

European Commission Climate change threatens Europe's coasts

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2021). 

NOAA 2020 U.S. billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in historical context

Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac: The Future We Choose: A Stubborn Optimist's Guide to the Climate Crisis  (published 2020)

I am Greta (Film - initial release October 2020)

How a 'tree mortgage' scheme could turn an Indian town carbon neutral

2020 ASTMH virtual Annual Meeting Opening Ceremony

Other items of interest:

World Economic Forum: The Global Risks Report 2021, 16^th Edition

UK Government: National Risk Register; 2020 Edition

$11 billion in damage from last summer's derecho: 'Historically it produced the most damage in the least amount of time.'

Global Hazards Weekly Bulletin - 9^th - 15^th January 2021

Coronavirus

WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Situational Report - 15^th January 2021

Regional Hazards

Europe

Southeastern Europe - Floods Prompt Evacuations in Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania and Kosovo

North America

Deadly windstorm rolls through Pacific Northwest, more than 600 000 customers without power

Country Hazards

Argentina

Light magnitude 4.2 quake hits 16 km northwest of Chilecito, Argentina in the morning

Bangladesh

Large fire devastates Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh

Indonesia

30 Dead, Thousands Caught in Flooding in Indonesia's Capital

At least 37 people killed, hundreds injured as M6.2 earthquake hits West Sulawesi, Indonesia

Madagascar

Humanitarian crisis looms in Madagascar amid drought and pandemic

Mali

Three UN peacekeepers killed, six wounded in attack in Mali

Namibia

Namibia - Heavy Rain Continues, Flash Floods in Windhoek

Pakistan

Dozens killed by avalanches in Pakistani and Indian Kashmir

Peru

New variant of COVID-19 detected in Lima, Self-medication with dexamethasone warning

Spain

Slow recovery after worst snowstorm since 1971 hits Spain

Mad Cow disease case reported in Spain

United States of America

Powerful winter storm hits southern U.S., leaving more than 150 000 customers without power

Category 5 atmospheric river brings flooding rain and strong winds to Oregon and Washington, U.S.

Other items of interest:

Australian Disaster Resilience Conference 2021

European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction 2021

World Disasters Report 2020 by IFRC

Global Hazards Weekly Bulletin

26^th December 2020 - 8^th January 2021

Coronavirus

WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID -19) Situational Report - 8^th January 2021

Regional Hazards

Europe

Devastation and alarm caused by the 6.4M earthquake in Croatia across Central Europe

Storm Bella hits Europe, leaving tens of thousands without power

North America

Powerful winter storms bring severe winds and snow to Alaska, Pacific Northwest and Canada

Country Hazards

Australia

Tropical Cyclone "Imogen" brings floods and disruptions to Queensland, Australia

Canada

Thousands of Nova Scotia Power customers left without electricity Sunday after storm

Chile

Strong and shallow M6.7 earthquake hits off the coast of Los Lagos, Chile

Croatia

Croatia earthquake: Strong aftershocks hit after quake kills seven

Ethiopia

Ethiopia deploys planes, helicopters to fight locust invasion

India

Loss of USD 10 Billion, over 2000 dead: India bore brunt of 2020â's weather disasters

Heavy snow engulfs Jammu and Kashmir, cuts it off from the rest of the country, India

Japan

Severe weather conditions, up to 2 m (6.5 feet) of fresh snow through New Year's Day, Japan

Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone "Chalane" to make landfall over Beira, Mozambique

Norway

Norway landslide: Three bodies recovered and several people still missing

Papua New Guinea

Landslide engulfs Papua New Guinea village with at least 12 people feared dead

St Vincent and the Grenadines

No evacuation orders issued for residents living near Soufriere volcano, St. Vincent and The Grenadines

United Kingdom

Crawley gas leak: 700 people evacuated from flats in 'major incident'

United States of America

How Trump Supporters Stormed the US Capitol: A Timeline of Events

Climate Change

COP26 Key Messages on Climate Change and Health

COP26 Case Studies Climate and Health

COP26 Campaign Aims

Other items of interest

Integrating Anticipatory Action Disaster Risk Management

Evidence Base Anticipatory Action

European Programme of Work - 'United Action for Better Health in Europe'

COVID-19: a stark reminder of the importance of universal health coverage

Cities of the WHO European Region unite to stop COVID-19 and build a better urban life

Shrinking Margins of Greenland

New research exposes the harsh realities of hurricanes in a warmer world

Global Hazards Weekly Bulletin - 12^th - 18^th December 2020

Coronavirus

WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID -19) Situational Report - 18^th December

Regional Hazards

Europe

SARS-CoV-2 in minks in Sweden not the same variant found in Denmark

Europe: More than 500 avian influenza detections, Most in Germany

Mediterranean

Severe Medistorm "Elaina" forms near Cyprus, landfall expected in Lebanon on December 17

Country Hazards

Australia

Severe storm brings massive rains to Queensland and NSW, Australia

Brazil

Yellow fever: More monkey deaths in Paraná state

Canada

Massive landslide causes major destruction to wildlife in Bute Inlet - British Columbia, Canada

China

China reports H5N6 avian influenza death in Jiangsu Province

Fiji

Category 5 Tropical Cyclone "Yasa" makes landfall over Vanua Levu, Fiji

India

Delhi hospital reports 13 cases of COVID-19-triggered mucormycosis

Italy

Strong explosive eruption at Etna volcano, Italy

Japan

Snow piling up at an unprecedented rate in Japan

Japan: Snow traps 1,000 drivers in frozen traffic jam

Mexico

Mexico reports first Candida auris cases in Nuevo León hospital

New Zealand

Rare earthquakes detected near Mount Taranaki, New Zealand

South Sudan

South Sudan: Floods intensify impact of hunger and insecurity

United Kingdom

England reports new variant of SARS-CoV-2

United States of America

Exceptionally cold air expected after major winter storm hits the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast with heavy wet snow and freezing rain, U.S.

US cyber-attack: US energy department confirms it was hit by Sunburst hack

Other items of interest:

A World in Disorder. Global Preparedness Monitoring Board Annual Report (2020)

The Elders Building Back Better for Universal Health (2020)

International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA)  COVID-19 Evidence-to-Policy Tracker

Science during COVID-19: where do we go from here?

Biodegradability of Plastics in the Open Environment: Scientific Opinion by the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors to the European Commission (2020)

Biodegradability of plastics in the open environment: Science Advice for Policy by European Academies. (2020)

Please note that the Global Hazards Weekly Bulletin

will not be circulated between 21^st December 2020 - 1^st January 2021