Stories about Disaster
Marshall Islands demands justice for US nuclear testing in the Pacific
From 1946–1958, the US military dropped an estimated 318 explosive devices into the Pacific. This destroyed the environment and caused countless health issues for pacific islanders.
Indonesia lifts sea sand export ban, angering activists and coastal communities
After a 20-year ban, Indonesia is allowing companies to extract sea sand from its coastal waters. Activists say this will have devastating environmental consequences and could negatively impact coastal communities.
Between flames and smoke, Brazil tries to fight record breaking wildfires
The National Confederation of Municipalities estimates that 11 million people have been directly affected by the fires. The economic losses reached at least 1,1 billion BRL (203 Million USD), according to them.
Nepal floods: Festival joy turns to devastation amid unprecedented tragedy
Ahead of Nepal's Dashain festival on October 3, devastating floods and landslides in late September resulted in at least 219 fatalities, transforming the celebrations into a profound national tragedy.
Mapping the shrinking forests in the Terai region of Nepal
Nepal’s forest cover has doubled in 25 years, but illegal logging is thinning the southern jungles.
Twenty-five new cases of whooping cough in a week in North Macedonia, mostly unvaccinated babies affected
“It's essential to remember the lives at stake, especially our little ones. Vaccines against pertussis have proven to be safe and effective, and every action we take today shapes the health of tomorrow."
Bangladeshis help out in flood-affected communities
Bangladesh is experiencing another round of severe floods. Volunteers from across the country are rushing to the affected areas in trucks, carrying boats, speedboats, and relief supplies.
The impact of unpredictable rainfall and flooding on agriculture and food security in Kenya
The rains led to significant damage in 42 of Kenya's 47 counties, with the capital, Nairobi, Homa Bay, Kajiado, Mandera and Nakuru being the most severely affected by the floods.
Lives on the line in the Himalayan mountains
Glacial lake outbursts and debris flows will be more destructive and frequent in Nepal in the near future, highlighting the amplified risks of mountain living due to climate change.
Citizens place blame on India as flash floods ravage Bangladesh
Bangladesh is grappling with one of its worst floods in recent times, caused by heavy rainfall and influx of water from India's Tripura state rivers.
Coastal villages struggle to recover after oil spill disaster near Philippine capital
"Toxic oil spills in our oceans are like fires in our forests, leaving a path of destruction that brings decades of negative impacts."
Floods in Libya a month before the anniversary of the Derna floods raise fears
With the Derna disaster anniversary approaching, new floods in Kufra, intensified by the climate crisis, have reignited people’s fears.
After the SID4 conference in Antigua & Barbuda, ‘small islands’ fight to maintain ‘special case’ status at the UN
“We are not creating these problems but they’re tremendously disruptive to our development [...] SIDS are on the frontline, and we are one of the most vulnerable groups.”
After Hurricane Beryl, how can St. Vincent & the Grenadines recover beyond materialism?
In Beryl's aftermath, the Grenadine islands were reported as “flattened,” “apocalyptic,” “erased,” and “devastated,” words synonymous with erasure and the cornerstone trendy lingo of global disaster management and recovery efforts.
Climate change takes toll on internally displaced women in Pakistan
The changing weather pattern dwindles hopes of building a family, forcing women to make desperate choices for survival. Women who face displacement while pregnant face unique and dangerous risks.
Five years later: Hurricane Dorian’s indelible mark
As the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season kicked off in June, those who lived through Dorian are experiencing a mix of emotions, with anxiety being the dominant feeling.
Hundreds succumb to extreme temperatures as severe heatwave engulfs Pakistan
This year, Pakistan experienced abnormal pre-monsoon weather and an unprecedented heatwave that killed hundreds. The intense heat, particularly in Karachi and nearby regions, impacted healthcare and emergency services significantly.
Beryl in Jamaica, the colour of the sea
'The most painful part for the island in general is after the storm. It has become increasingly obvious that enormous destruction has taken place in several parts of the country.'
In Nepal, when yaks go, so does culture
Yaks, once central to the culture of Himalayan communities in Nepal, are declining because of lifestyle changes, outmigration, inbreeding, and the impacts of the climate crisis.
After devastating the Caribbean, Hurricane Beryl has been downgraded, but can continue to bring ruin
The death toll from Beryl is estimated to be at least seven people thus far, surprising give the level of ruin to infrastructure, buildings, and the natural environment.
Waiting for Beryl in Jamaica
"I know this from hurricanes past, trees will fall, hillsides will come down, the coastline will be redrawn. And there will be damage, maybe even disastrous damage, to the [island]."
