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DSWD Gears Up for More Extensive Climate Change Preparedness

January 11, 2018 The Mail Man 0

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge in Biliran destroyed by TS Urduja</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With the recent devastations caused by Tropical Storms Urduja, Vinta, and Agaton, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) have to adjust up to such extreme weather events that are caused by Climate Change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) which is the lead agency tasked with handling disasters, preparation, recovery, and rehabilitation. This mandate was derived from RA 10121 or the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 with the backdrop of the devastation caused by TS Ondoy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The NDRRMC is chaired by the head of the Department of National Defense (DND) and co-chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As co-chair of the NDRRMC, the DSWD is updating the protocols for the ever-changing dynamics of Philippine disaster preparedness and response.  </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“So many Filipinos died because of natural calamities we should have been better prepared against. This 2018, we will work harder at improving our disaster preparedness mechanisms down to the community level, and we enjoin all local government units as well as our partners in the private sector to continue coordinating on programs, activities, and campaigns that will strengthen the Filipino people’s resilience against disasters,” DSWD Secretary Emmanuel Leyco said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Acknowledging that Climate Change is here and that the most logical response would be to mitigate its effects and create disaster resilient communities together with sound planning and preparation, the DSWD is enhancing its ties with the Local Government Units (LGUs) since these are on the frontlines with regards to DRRM.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“It is also urgent to address other issues that contribute to the devastating impact of natural disasters. Among these issues are climate change and the necessity of good governance when it comes to addressing disaster management and relief programs,” Sec. Leyco said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This would entail enhancing LGU capacities with regards to DRRM, Resilient Communities and participation of stakeholders all the way down to the community level. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This can be achieved by a more aggressive information dissemination and education campaign down to the grassroots.</span><br />
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DSWD Gears Up for More Extensive Climate Change Preparedness

Bridge in Biliran destroyed by TS Urduja With the recent devastations caused by Tropical Storms Urduja, Vinta, and Agaton, Disaster Ri...

Red Cross trains youth in disaster risk reduction

December 13, 2017 The Mail Man 0

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Cross TRaining on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) wants the youth to be more involved in disaster risk reduction during calamities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the PRC recently hosted a regional training on Participatory Approach for Safe Shelter Awareness (PASSA) for the country’s youths.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chris Staines, head of the IFRC country office, said the training activity was aimed at honing the organization’s ability to engage the youth in programs that seek to augment capacity to reduce shelter-related risk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“What’s exciting about this PASSA program is that it is about the young people. It is about energy, passion, and focus,” Staines said. “It is not just about the future, but it is also about now. Because youth is not just future, youth is now.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At least 31 humanitarian workers from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Fiji, Indonesia, Nepal, Australia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Geneva (Switzerland) took the PASSA training at PRC headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Nov. 6 to 10.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">During the weeklong event, delegates were trained to sharpen awareness on shelter safety issues, identify and analyze hazards, vulnerabilities, and strategies related to shelter, and implement programs based on their locality’s capacity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Participants were immersed in a community in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City to conduct interviews with residents who have experienced shelter-related concerns.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">PASSA is IFRC’s response to the need to turn communities into safe shelters that can host better living conditions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">IFRC, in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity, conceptualized the PASSA Youth to immerse young people, aged 13 to 17, in humanitarian causes by raising awareness on housing-related risks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The PRC is one with IFRC in involving the youth in a participatory approach toward community safety.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Source: <a href="http://beta.philstar.com/business/science-and-environment/2017/11/15/1759202/red-cross-trains-youth-disaster-risk-reduction#cw8I1f24SqlWVkCA.99">http://beta.philstar.com/business/science-and-environment/2017/11/15/1759202/red-cross-trains-youth-disaster-risk-reduction#cw8I1f24SqlWVkCA.99</a></span><br />
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Disaster Response Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Rescue Training Red Cross trains youth in disaster risk reduction

Red Cross TRaining on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) wants the youth to be more involved in dis...

ASEAN LIDAR Training on DRRM

October 25, 2017 The Mail Man 0

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<span style="font-size: large;">The use of LIDAR (Light Imaging, Detection And Ranging) in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) is one of the steps in preparing for natural and man-made disasters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">LIDAR training was given to 17 representatives from ASEAN or the Association of South East Asian Nations. The ASEAN nations are prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and floods. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">17 representatives from ASEAN completed the Training on LIDAR Application for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management for the ASEAN Region. The training was conducted at the National Engineering Center at the University of the Philippines, Diliman.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The training was initiated and facilitated by the PHIL-LIDAR Program to increase the capacity of the ASEAN member states in the area of space technology and geoinformatics applications.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Application for LIDAR in DRRM consists of an accurate map of Hazard Areas and creation of the Hazard Maps. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The participants were from Cambodia with 5 participants, Laos with 2 participants, 2 from Singapore, 2 from the Philippines and three from Vietnam.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The participants were grouped based on the track of the training that they wanted to pursue. PHIL-LIDAR 1 Track focused on the use of LIDAR technology for disaster risk reduction while PHIL-LIDAR 2 Track focused on the use of LIDAR technology for natural resources management.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The participants acquired skills in the use of LIDAR data for disaster planning, community resilience, and flood risk assessment and the use of LIDAR technology for mapping and inventory of natural resources. The participants presented their final map outputs and analysis during the culminating activity.</span><br />
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Disaster Response Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Rescue Training Technology ASEAN LIDAR Training on DRRM

The use of LIDAR (Light Imaging, Detection And Ranging) in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) is one of the steps in preparin...

Asia-Pacific: Still Has Insufficient Resilience Against Disasters

October 25, 2017 The Mail Man 0

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pacific Ring of Fire</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thirteen years after the Great Asian Tsunami that killed 200,000 people and 4 years after the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest storm in recorded history, the Asia-Pacific region still has not caught up to the demands for resilience in relation to disasters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">According to the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the regions is one of the most disaster-prone in the world and efforts in disaster resilience has been outpaced by disaster risks worsened by Climate Change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This can result in an increasing number of people being pushed back into poverty since they are unable to cope with the effects of disasters. These populations have the lest capacity to prepare and respond to disasters according to the ESCAP report.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Disasters can very quickly strip poor people of their livelihoods, bringing deeply disruptive impacts that push them back into absolute poverty or trap them in an intergenerational transmission of poverty,” Shamshad Akhtar, executive secretary of the ESCAP,  said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2017 cited that from the year 2000 to 2015, almost 15 times disaster-related deaths were recorded in middle to lower income countries as compared to Asia-Pacific’s higher income countries.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Asia and the Pacific regions account for 36% of the global gross domestic product. It is predicted that in the next 15 years, global economic losses in the Asia and Pacific regions will form 40% of these losses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world with disaster risks running from earthquakes to typhoons, flooding, and other natural disasters. Geographically, the Philippines is in the “Typhon Belt” and located in the “Pacific Ring of Fire” where volcanic and tectonic plate movements are most active.</span><br />
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Asia-Pacific: Still Has Insufficient Resilience Against Disasters

Climate Disaster Response Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Weather Asia-Pacific: Still Has Insufficient Resilience Against Disasters

The Pacific Ring of Fire Thirteen years after the Great Asian Tsunami that killed 200,000 people and 4 years after the devastation of T...

The Perfect Flood of Ondoy. When a Hard Rain Fell 8 Years Ago

September 26, 2017 The Mail Man 0

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ortigas Ave. Ext. Pasig City during Ondoy Floods</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The morning of September 26, 2009, will go down in history as the day when one of the worst floods to hit the Philippines. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The rains were brought by Tropical Storm Ondoy (International Name: Ketsana). First observed by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and the Japan Meteorological Agency forming in Palau on September 23, 2009, but was downgraded to a Tropical Depression and then to a Low-Pressure Area (LPA). Upon nearing the Philippines it accelerated to a Tropical Depression and then into a Tropical Storm (TS). Upon making landfall in Aurora Province, it still retained its status as a TS on the morning of September 26, 2009.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The rains were intermittent during the wee hours of September 26. There was no sunrise to speak of since the sky was almost as dark as night. A steady hard rain fell starting at 7:00 a.m. and vehicles were traversing the streets with their headlights on. In Pasig City, there were by then reports of flooding by 9:00 a.m. In Marikina City, 40-foot floodwaters raged in Provident Village and the Marikina River had burst its banks. In Cainta, Rizal, trucks responding to rescue and relief operations were themselves overtaken by the flood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The night before, rain was already pouring over the Sierra Madre Mountain Range and the waters flowed into the Montalban River, the San Mateo River and then to the Marikina River. Rodriguez, Rizal was hard hit with water and mud reaching up to the roofs of its communities, so was the case in San Mateo Rizal.  The Marikina, Cainta, Pasig catch basin was being filled up with water and the waters continue to rage down the Sierra Madre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In a matter of 6 hours, TS Ondoy dumped a deluge the equivalent of a month’s rainfall average in NCR, Rizal Province, and Laguna Province. The result was catastrophic and in the NCR, 85% of its total land area was under water. Scenes from TV news showing flooding along Ayala Business District in Makati City with its pedestrian underpasses filled with water stunned the nation. Even the President Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo went out and directed traffic along the flooded streets of Manila.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Electricity, telecommunications, and other utilities were affected by nightfall. Cellular phone signals were weak or non-existent. Pasig City town proper was an inundated triangular island being bounded by the Marikina River, Pasig River and the Manggahan Floodway on its three sides. By evening, there was no more food to be bought from stores.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">By the next day, the full extent of the disaster came into view. TS Ondoy created a record of sorts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">11. In 6 hours<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">, Ondoy released rainfall equivalent to a month’s volume of rain with a rat</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">e of 56.83 mm/hr based on its 24-hour recorded rainfall. Twenty-three provinces and Metro Manila were placed under a state of calamity due to the widespread devastation by Ondoy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-indent: -0.25in;">  </span><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-indent: -0.25in;">With combined heavy rains and strong winds, Ondoy affected  993,227 families or 4,901,234 people</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-indent: -0.25in;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-indent: -0.25in;">  </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-indent: -0.25in;">  3. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-indent: -0.25in;">Caused damages to infrastructure and agriculture at a cost of P11 billion.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0reHrDVOKHkbKbJgvDj9aMXa3S_Lj-xt4GG40sa3UH8BFZ54DqDbahPy5MxmCWN-aWXOAdXWwUD8wT4oRjESjziRmpJX755CF8lZQn593jAkKRiCtkd11243-skd2DJQNtPgQ1Yvy5g/s1600/Ondoy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0reHrDVOKHkbKbJgvDj9aMXa3S_Lj-xt4GG40sa3UH8BFZ54DqDbahPy5MxmCWN-aWXOAdXWwUD8wT4oRjESjziRmpJX755CF8lZQn593jAkKRiCtkd11243-skd2DJQNtPgQ1Yvy5g/s400/Ondoy2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Author during Ondoy. Surrender and Submission</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">(To be continued) </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The Perfect Flood of Ondoy. When a Hard Rain Fell 8 Years Ago

Civilian Crisis Management Climate Disaster Response Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Weather The Perfect Flood of Ondoy. When a Hard Rain Fell 8 Years Ago

Ortigas Ave. Ext. Pasig City during Ondoy Floods The morning of September 26, 2009, will go down in history as the day when one of ...

Compact Weather Stations

July 26, 2017 The Mail Man 0

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9-9Wp1gees9TT0utelWD3lLjy791ZOJkVo4KAarb__MJszaZqhJc-fbkXd0WzE2rHZCUkkCeRiInislLkW8WPiVbWXAQw94DESPJ8YQWsKSm8amG4xRXZMu-3vv2Ztb6PkjRjbuZqF4/s1600/Met1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="497" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9-9Wp1gees9TT0utelWD3lLjy791ZOJkVo4KAarb__MJszaZqhJc-fbkXd0WzE2rHZCUkkCeRiInislLkW8WPiVbWXAQw94DESPJ8YQWsKSm8amG4xRXZMu-3vv2Ztb6PkjRjbuZqF4/s400/Met1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Philippines is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world. An average of 20 tropical cyclones affects the country annually. This is why there is RA 10121 that is also known as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was borne out of the devastation wreaked by TS Ondoy in 2009. This Act reorganizes the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Policies and Procedures of the country when it comes to natural and man-made calamities and disasters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In line with this policy, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management has been cascaded to the basic level of the Local Government Units (LGUs) that will be the first responders in the event of disasters and calamities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Currently, the LGUs depend on the national government such as agencies like PAGASA in obtaining weather information that will enable them to prepare in the event of weather related emergencies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These LGUs can also enhance their Disaster Risk Reduction and Management capacities with new technology that enables them to quickly prepare and respond to the exigencies of the moment. Currently, there are LGUs that have their own compact weather stations and also their own seismographic monitoring stations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">During the National Science and Technology Week held last July 11 – 15, 2017, an exhibitor presented its own compact weather station.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">MaxiMet is an advanced compact weather station designed and manufactured by Gill Instruments using proven technology to measure meteorological and environmental parameters to international standards.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">MaxiMet incorporates all the measurement parameters that meet the requirements of users in demanding applications where cost, quality, and performance are essential.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With features such as the wind, precipitation, solar radiation, temperature, humidity, pressure, low power ‘Eco Mode’, GPS, compass and many more, MaxiMet is unique in its ability to provide the widest number of measurements and output protocol options which makes it easy to install, easy to use and with zero maintenance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6ThUZCnTR9Ldu_F8Hny6qFCiDe_JrIUvWfqP4PVx69uXLjpsW_Gkfm-1mwG_OU5SY2JXpzn9o-6LsnuPdN8AjA8_t7LWrLc9SccW2BBAAe8NvB-vti5yMmjX2eJ0Phj98J7C7yv9MoI/s1600/Met2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6ThUZCnTR9Ldu_F8Hny6qFCiDe_JrIUvWfqP4PVx69uXLjpsW_Gkfm-1mwG_OU5SY2JXpzn9o-6LsnuPdN8AjA8_t7LWrLc9SccW2BBAAe8NvB-vti5yMmjX2eJ0Phj98J7C7yv9MoI/s400/Met2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maximet can also be used for agricultural purposes, events management and even in-house environmental requirements for buildings and complexes.</span></div>
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Climate Disaster Response Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Technology Weather Compact Weather Stations

The Philippines is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world. An average of 20 tropical cyclones affects the country annu...

PH Red Cross to launch app Soon!

July 12, 2017 The Mail Man 0

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<span style="font-size: large;">The International Federation of the Red Cross has launched a mobile app that will be of great help in addressing natural and man-made disasters in the Philippines. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Virtual Volunteer is an app that helps refugees that give access to medical, psychological and legal support of Internally Displace Persons (IDP) and refugees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Against the backdrop of a record 22.5 million refugees and IDPs in the world, Virtual Volunteer can be of great help to these people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In fact, it was already launched during the World Refugee Day. "People moving are often caught in a fog of poor information," said Jagan Chapagain, head of programs and operations at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"They don't always know what services are available to them. This is a tool that will help give them a clearer view so that they can make informed decisions," he said in a statement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Using a smartphone with the app, Virtual Volunteer enables users to access a map with information on available shelters, food banks, WASH Facilities, clothes distribution centers, maternal health centers, language schools, free legal assistance, and dentists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It also provides information to refugees and IDPs on how best to protect against human traffickers. Virtual Volunteer also provides information on tracking of the whereabouts of family members displaced by disasters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The app was developed by the Red Cross and IBM and is already operational in Greece and Sweden and currently has 30,000 users.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Information saves lives. Ensuring that people can access unbiased, factual information has a big impact," Italian Red Cross President Francesco Rocca said in a statement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aside from smartphones, Virtual Volunteer is also accessible via its website that features information in multiple languages.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The planned expansion of the app includes the Philippines and Africa.</span></div>
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Civilian Crisis Management Climate Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Technology PH Red Cross to launch app Soon!

The International Federation of the Red Cross has launched a mobile app that will be of great help in addressing natural and man-made...