Thursday, July 30, 2015

Africa Advised to Take DIY Approach to Climate Resilience

http://www.ipsnews.net/2015/07/africa-advised-to-take-diy-approach-to-climate-resilience/



By Fabiola Ortiz

PARIS, Jul 23 2015 (IPS) - African countries would do well to take their own lead in finding ways to better adapt to and mitigate the changes that climate may impose on future  generations instead of relying only on foreign aid.
This was one of the messages that rang out during the international scientific conference on ‘Our Common Future under Climate Change’ held earlier this month in Paris, six months before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21), also to be held in Paris, that is supposed to pave the way for a global agreement to keep the rise in the Earth’s temperature under 2°C.
Africa is already feeling climate change effects on a daily basis, according to Penny Urquhart from South Africa, an independent specialist and one of the lead authors of the 5th Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Projections suggest that temperature rise on the continent will likely exceed 2°C by 2100 with land temperatures rising faster than the global land average. Scientific assessments agree that Africa will also face more climate changes in the future, with extreme weather events increasing in terms of frequency, intensity and duration.
“Most sub-Saharan countries have high levels of climate vulnerability,” Urquhart told IPS. “Over the years, people became good at adapting to those changes but what we are seeing is increasing risks associated with climate change as this becomes more and more pressing.”
Although data monitoring systems are still poor and sparse over the region, “we do know there is an increase in temperature,” she added, warning that if the global average temperature increases by 2°C by the end of the century, this will be experienced as if it had increased by 4°C in Southern Africa, stated Urquhart.
According to the South African expert, vulnerability to climate variation is very context-specific and depends on people’s exposure to the impacts, so it is hard to estimate the number of people affected by global warming on the continent.
However, IPCC says that of the estimated 800 million people who live in Africa, more than 300 million survive in conditions of water scarcity, and the numbers of people at risk of increased water stress on the continent is projected to be 350-600 million by 2050.
In some areas, noted Urquhart, it is not easy to predict what is happening with the rainfall. “In the Horn of Africa region the observations seem to be showing decreasing rainfall but models are projecting increasing rainfall.”
There have been extreme weather events along the Western coast of the continent, while Mozambique has seen an increase in cyclones that lead to flooding. “Those are the sum of trends that we are seeing,” Urquhart, “drying mostly along the West and increase precipitations in the East of Africa”.
For Edith Ofwona, senior programme specialist of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), one of the sectors most vulnerable to climate variation in Africa is agriculture – the backbone of most African economies – and this could have direct negative impacts on food security.
“The biggest challenge,” she said, “is how to work with communities not only to cope with short-term impacts but actually to be able to adapt and be resilient over time. We should come up with practical solutions that are affordable and built on the knowledge that communities have.”
Experts agree that any measure to address climate change should be responsive to social needs, particularly where severe weather events risk uprooting communities from their homelands by leaving families with no option but to migrate in search of better opportunities.
This new phenomenon has created what it is starting to be called “climate migrants”, said Ofwona.
Climate change could also exacerbate social conflicts that are aggravated by other drivers such as competition over resources and land degradation. According to the IDRC expert, “you need to consider the multi-stress nature of poverty on people’s livelihoods … and while richer people may be able to adapt, poor people will struggle.”
Ofwona said that the key is to combine scientific evidence with what communities themselves know, and make it affordable and sustainable. “It is important to link science to society and make it practical to be able to change lives and deal with the challenges people face, especially in addressing food security requirements.”
Meanwhile, she added, consciousness in Africa of the impacts of climate change is “fairly high” – some countries have already defined their own climate policies and strategies, and others have green growth strategies with low carbon and sustainable development.
Stressing the critical role that African nations themselves play in terms of creating the right environmental policy, Ofwona said that they should be protagonists in dealing with climate impacts and not only passive in receiving international help.
African governments should provide some of the funding that will be needed to implement adaptation and mitigation projects and while “we can also source internationally, to some extent we need to contribute with our own money. While the consciousness is high, the extent of the commitment is not equally high.”
Edited by Phil Harris    
IPS is an international communication institution with a global news agency at its core, raising the voices of the South 
and civil society on issues of development, globalisation, human rights and the environment 
Copyright © 2015 IPS-Inter Press Service. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Upcoming Briefings: Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, and Sustainable Development Goals


As we further our outreach to assist and advise communities internationally, thhe following will be added to the BEMA 'Recommended Reading List'.
During upcoming weeks daily training briefings on:
-Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
-Sustainable Development Goals of 2015, and the
-UN Emergency Response Framework

to enhance, and provide a platform for continuing education as emergency managers, and international community organizations to further understanding of the overall strategy, planning, and response in the international arena.

CDS. CEO.  Black Emergency Managers Association.




    http://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/publications/43291

Logo

Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 outlines seven clear targets and four priorities for action to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risks: 
(i) Understanding disaster risk; 
(ii) Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk; 
(iii) Investing in disaster reduction for resilience and; 
(iv) Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to "Build Back Better" in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction. It aims to achieve the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries over the next 15 years.

The Framework was adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, on March 18, 2015.

View full Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (in English) [PDF 423.81 kB]

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

State Department releases Trafficking in Persons Report. Orphaned children of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone from Ebola Crisis. Address issue NOW rather then later.

There is an immediate need in addition to the revitalization and resiliency building of the nations affected by the Ebola crisis, there is an immediate need to address the children orphaned from this dreadful disease.  Children that have lost entire family members.  Children that have lost fathers, mothers, and other siblings.  Children left alone and homeless, some with no extended family members to care and provide the basic necessities to be members of their community.

Now is the time, not 3 to 5 years to collect data on abuses that have occurred to this individuals. But now is the time to consider integrating these individuals in the resiliency building efforts of their communities and nations.  These are truly the individuals with buy-in and ownership in the successful revitalization of their communities.

These are your future health care professionals.  Your doctors, nurses, nurses aids, x-ray and medical laboratory technicians, emergency managers, city planners, entrepreneurs, and small business owners, builders of the laboratories, and hospitals, that are the stakeholders that must be considered in rebuilding their nation.

Now is the time to act.

Sincerely,


Charles D. Sharp
CEO.  Black Emergency Managers Association


http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/245365.pdf

Are members of the African Union nations entitled to U.S. tax exemptions? Are U.S. Citizens entitled to income tax exemption while employed in AU member nations?

http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/International-Businesses/United-States-Income-Tax-Treaties---A-to-Z


http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/when-us-citizens-living-abroad-owe-us-tax.html


Exclusions From Income

Instead of taking the foreign tax credit, a U.S. expat may elect to exclude from gross income:
  • foreign earned income of up to $97,600 in 2013, and
  • foreign housing costs up to 30% of the maximum foreign earned exclusion (with possible adjustment based upon geographic location), reduced by a base amount ($15,216 for 2013).
You need pay no U.S. income tax on these amounts.
Example: Joseph lived and worked in London during 2013. He earned $150,000 and paid $36,000 in rent on a London flat. He may exclude $97,600 of his foreign earnings from his U.S. taxable income, plus claim a $8,784 housing cost exclusion ($36,000 - $15,216 = $8,784). This reduces his taxable income by $106,304.
You can elect to use either or both exclusions. They are available to each individual expat taxpayer, so, if eligible, each spouse may claim the exclusions even if a couple files a joint tax return.
Self-employed expats cannot claim the foreign housing exclusion. They must claim the foreign housing deduction instead.
To qualify for these exclusions from income, you must have foreign earned income, your tax home must be in a foreign country, and you must be one of the following:
  • a U.S. citizen who is a bona fide resident of a foreign country or countries for an uninterrupted period that includes an entire tax year
  • a U.S. resident alien who is a citizen or national of a country with which the United States has an income tax treaty in effect and who is a bona fide resident of a foreign country or countries for an uninterrupted period that includes an entire tax year, or
  • a U.S. citizen or a U.S. resident alien who is physically present in a foreign country or countries for at least 330 full days during any period of 12 consecutive months.


Sendai training for local governments

Sendai training for local governments

Source: UNISDR Office for Northeast Asia and Global Education and Training Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction at Incheon (UNISDR ONEA-GETI); 

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Asia and Pacific (UNISDR AP); United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Europe (UNISDR EUR)

Themes: Capacity Development; Civil Society/NGOs; Community-based DRR; Governance; Urban Risk & Planning


Friday, July 24, 2015

25 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act. And?

Twenty-five years under the Americans with Disabilities Act yet many communities are still coming to terms with inclusion for all members of the 'whole community' to be involved in all phases of the emergency management process (planning, preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation).  Individuals that fall under the ADA are just one special group within the whole community.

The homeless, displaced families, poor, and inclusion of all minority and disadvantaged groups, ex-offender, and the elderly.  Each must be involved in the process as stakeholders of the community.

The recent class action suit (http://www.cleanegroup.org/blog/court-finds-nyc-disabled-not-adequately-protected-after-sandy-disaster-planning-must-include-vulnerable-populations/#.VbKRC7NViko), and settlement have many jurisdictions scrambling to hire specialist in the field to address functional needs individuals and to interface with with 'grass roots' organizations.

Twenty-fives, what is your community gauge for whole community members?  With over 20,000 emergency managers certified by other associations, or certified by the State employed in the U.S. we can't wait another 25-years for full inclusion.

Sincerely,


Charles D. Sharp
CEO
Black Emergency Managers Association


july 24, 2015


Celebrating 25 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act

July 26, 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This milestone law prohibits discrimination and mandates equal opportunity for people with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation and telecommunications and guarantees the civil rights of more than 56 million Americans.  
The ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and has shaped opportunities for people with disabilities in providing equal access to education, employment and to programs and services, including transportation, communications access, public accommodations, and more. 
Integrating the needs of people with disabilities into disaster preparedness, response, and recovery planning is essential to proper emergency management.  Under the authority of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides equal access throughout its services, including:
·        508-compliant FEMA.gov, Ready.gov, and America’s PrepareAthon! websites;
·        Public materials in alternative formats for people who are blind or have low vision; and
·        Ensuring all video materials are captioned.
Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the ADA, FEMA and the Ad Council launched a new public service advertisement (PSA) to raise awareness about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. While the PSA targets all communities, We Prepare Every Day is the first in a series of videos that aim to deliver a strong preparedness message by showing people with disabilities taking charge to prepare themselves and their families for emergencies. The PSA provides equal access to all viewers and includes open captioning, a certified deaf interpreter, and audio description for viewers who are blind or have low vision

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