Full Coverage: Emergency relief

26.02.2008 More than 300,000 animals in Afghanistan have become prey to cold temperatures, severely devastating the livelihood of local farmers. Such extreme weather conditions are causing unprecedented miseries in the country, where more than 900 people have died due to cold this winter.

25.02.2008 Fears are being expressed that Nepal can face a serious humanitarian crisis. Ethnic Madhesis – who suffer from extreme poverty, unemployment and lack of citizenship – are on an indefinite strike since February 12 demanding a separate region for themselves. Essential services remain disrupted and the situation can only worsen from here.

22.02.2008 Insurance can help the poorest to cope with the consequences of global warming, say development experts. Paying small premiums than raising money after disasters is a better way to minimise damage. Insurance managers however say the frequency of droughts and floods can weaken such claims.

20.02.2008 Even after three months of Cyclone Sidr hitting Bangladesh, some 1.3 million affected people are living under plastic sheeting, tarpaulins and other basic shelters exposing them to the approaching monsoon rains. Oxfam says that it is vital that the government and the international community urgently devise a better plan.

04.02.2008 Heavy snowfall and unprecedented cold waves in Afghanistan have claimed at least 500 lives and cut off many villages from urban centres, leading to serious disruption of essential supplies. Given the magnitude of the problem, the government has expressed helplessness while assistance from NGOs is proving insufficient.

02.02.2008 Sri Lankan police has finally released UNICEF’s impounded consignment of high protein biscuits meant for undernourished children and mothers in the conflict zone. The UN agency’s aid material had been confiscated earlier also on the suspicion that they would land in the hands of Tamil rebels.