Top 10 Facts About Asia’s Natural Disasters In 2012

Here are the top ten facts about natural disasters in Asia in 2012, based on data released by the UNISDR and CRED on December 11. 

 

between January and October, natural disasters in Asia still claimed more lives here than anywhere else in the world – and experts predict the trend will continue as populations and industries expand in a region that already houses the world’s largest number of urban residents. 

“Cities are growing. There will be even more people and factories. If you think we have a problem now, we will have even more in the future,” said Jerry Velasquez, head of the Asia-Pacific office for the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). The agency estimates the number of people living in flood-prone urban areas in East Asia may reach 67 million by 2060.

Here are the top ten facts about natural disasters in Asia in 2012, based on the preliminary 2012 data on natural disasters in 28 Asian countries released by UNISDR and Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) on December 11.

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1. Natural disasters caused US$15 billion in damage to Asian countries.

Countries in the region reported 83 disasters – mostly floods – in 2012. The disasters killed some 3,100 people, affected 64.5 million and left behind US$15 billion in damage.


2. The worldwide death toll was 5,400.

Worldwide, 231 disasters killed some 5,400 people, affected 87 million and caused US$44.6 billion in damage.

3. 78 million people were affected by natural disasters in Asia.

From 1950 to 2011, nine out of 10 people affected by disasters worldwide were in Asia.

4. One of the hardest hit countries in 2012 was the Philippines.

One of the region’s hardest-hit countries this year (and this past decade) was the Philippines. Since 2002, the country has had 182 recorded disasters, which killed almost 11,000 people. This figure does not include the storm that hit the country’s south on December 4; more than 600 were killed in that event, and some 800 are still reported missing.


5. China had three of the top five natural disasters this year.

Of the top five disasters that created the most damage this year, three were in China, and the other two were in Pakistan and Iran. Cumulatively, these events resulted in an estimated US$13.3 billion in damage. 

6. China had 18 disasters in 2012.

China led the list of most disasters in 2012 (18), followed by Philippines (16), Indonesia (10), Afghanistan (9), and India (5).


7. Only China suffered from multiple types of natural disasters.

China was the only “multi-hazard”-prone country. In the others, including Pakistan, 85 percent of damage came from one event, calling into question efforts to cultivate “multi-hazard” resiliency, said CRED.

8. Countries tend to face specific types of hazards.

Two-hazard countries included Afghanistan (drought and flood); Bangladesh and Vietnam (flood and storm); and India, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka (flood and earthquake).


9. Preparedness for disasters varied between countries.

In the past decade, Indonesia and the Philippines have had many disasters but relatively few affected people, while Bangladesh and Thailand have had fewer disasters and more affected, while Pakistan and Vietnam fell in between the two categories. These numbers offer a sign of how prepared these respective countries were to face emergencies, researchers noted.


10. Floods in Pakistan and China led to economic loss in the region.

Pakistan suffered large-scale loss of life from floods for the third successive year; from August to October, 480 people died in floods. June-July floods in China affected over 17 million people and caused the most economic loss in the region – US$4.8 billion.

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The Fight over Egypt’s Future

Secular opponents of Egypt’s Islamist President Mohammed Mursi warned this week that the country was returning to dictatorship, as Egyptians prepared to vote on a divisive, Islamist-drafted constitution. In Cairo, thousands of the president’s mostly secular opponents protested the proposed constitution outside the barricaded presidential palace, saying that the document paves the way for sharia law. “They’re not Muslims, they're extremists,” protester Nihal Amin said of Mursi and his Muslim Brotherhood backers. Mursi responded by signing an order allowing the army to arrest protesters. Egypt has undergone weeks of unrest since Mursi issued a decree placing him self and the Islamist-dominated assemilaly drafting the new constitution above judicial oversight. The president withdrew those edicts last week, but only after the assembly finalized its drafts. The opposition urged Egyptians to vote “no” in the Dec. 15 referendum, but vowed to fight on if the charter is approved.

This constitution “lays the groundwork for an eminently unfree future,” said Frida Ghitis in CNN.com. Its  « littered with tiny seeds that can germinate into religious oppression, » declaration that sharia will be the cornerstone of national law and its ban on “insulting prophets and messengers"- clause that could he used to silence opponents.

Obama administration has acted as Mursi’s enabler throughout this crisis said David Ignatius in The Washington Post. It failed to condemn him when he grabbed power through decree, and Obama has stayed silent on this deeply flawed constitution.“It’s crazy for Washington to appear to take sides

 against those who want a liberal, tolerant Egypt and for those who favor sharia. But that’s where administration has ended up. 

Actually, the constitution isn’t that bad, said Bloombergcom in an editorial. It protects against arbitrary arrest, enshrines freedom of association, and limits the president to two 4-year terms. That’s why the “no” campaign is expected to win 30 percent of the vote at best. The document can be amended by  a parliament that will he elected once the constitution is approved. So if the opposition really wants to safeguard democracy, it needs to get its supporters off the street and into office.

An impasse over the fiscal cliff

What happened 

With less than three weeks left for lawmakers to avert a fiscal crisis, President Obama and House Speaker john Boehner traded dueling budget proposals this week, but came no closer to a compromise that would avert major tax hikes and spending cuts due totake effect Jan. 1. In direct negotiations with Boehner, Obama and aides slightly lowered their demand for new tax revenue to $1.4 trillion, and reportedly offered to consider an overhaul of the corporate tax code next year.

Republicans made a counter-offer virtually identical to the one they made last week of $800 billion in new revenue, with no increase in the tax rate for the top Z percent of wage earners. Boehner insisted that no progress was possible until the White House offered substantial cuts in Medicare and Social

Security. “Where are the president’s spending cuts?” said Boehner.

Obama said he remained “optimistic” that a comprehensive deal could still be negotiated before year’s end, but said Republicans must first agree to a tax-rate increase on the wealthy. Boehner

warned Congress not to make any Christmas plans, and Republicans expressed pessimism that a deal was close. “It’s getting worse, not better,“ said House GOP Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

What the editorials said

Obama is arrogantly demanding total Republican surrender, said The Wall Street journal. Some GOP lawmakers spooked by the president’s blackmail appear willing to “surrender on taxes first” in order to strike a deal on modest entitlement cuts. But Obama’s demand for both higher tax rates and limits on deductions is the “worst possible deal for the economy.” just because Mitt Romney lost the election doesn’t mean Republicans need to “repudiate their core economic principles.” They should stand up to this bully.

Republicans are right that Medicare’s “ballooning expenses” have to be addressed, said the Los Angeles Times. But Medicare’s problems “defy easy solutions,” and it would be wrong to force

across-the-board cuts into a last-minute budget deal. Most of the program’s costs are caused by the soaring cost of health care, and by the health-care system’s gross inefficiency. Almost 40 percent of all Medicare spending, for example, is consumed by just 5 percent of recipients—

mostly in the final weeks of life. We need true reform, not just spending cuts.

What the columnists said

Democrats should accept one Republican demand on Medicare—to raise the eligibility age from 65 to 67, said Jonathan Chait in NYlVlag.c0m. Would it save a ton of money? No. But it would give the GOP base the appearance that they’d won a round of “serious belt-tightening” in Washington.

Since Democrats could extract higher tax rates and other key concessions in exchange for the reform, it seems like a “sensible bone to throw the Right.” Actually, that would be “a truly horrible policy,” said Duncan Black in USA Today. Many seniors would retire without insurance, forcing them to buy private insurance or go on Medicaid. Any money the government saved from moving back

the eligibility age would be “more than offset by increased costs to individuals, employers, and state governments.”

Obama is absolutely right to insist on a tax hike for the rich, said john B. Judis in TNR.com. Not only is an increase in the top tax rate supported by the public, it would heIp—not hurt—the economy. A Rutgers University economist recently explained why increases in the top tax rate, like the one that preceded the Clinton boom, stimulate the economy: When the wealthy take home more money, they mostly stash it away rather than spend it. But when wealth is redistributed downward, the middle class spends it “exactly what’s right for the economy. “

Despite all the doomsday rhetoric about the cliff, said Larry Kudlow in Nati0nalReuieu/.c0m, the stock market has actually risen over the past two weeks. Investors can see the obvious, which is that “Obama has the upper hand in this post-election battle.” lt’s inevitable that Republicans will have to make “a strategic retreat“ and accept an increase in the top rate—perhaps negotiating it down to 37 percent instead of 39.6 percent. “Republicans don’t want to be the party of rich people,” so it’s better to yield ground today in return for some spending cuts, and resume the battle over spending, taxes, and deficits in 2013.

Source : the Week US- 21 December, 2012 

it's summertime in Tunisia

 Summer festivals occupy a major place in the Tunisian cultural scene. For Tunisians, cultural festivals are important, especially for those who cannot leave their cities or travel abroad, since they offer the chance to see both local and internationally renowned artists. As for tourists and expats, these festivals help offer a glimpse into the cultural identity of Tunisian cities.

Whether you are a local, an expat or a tourist, you’re bound to find something of interest with our guide to some of the festivals in Tunisia this summer.

The International Festival of Symphonic Music: El Jem, June 30 – July 17

Music

Founded in 1985, the International Festival of Symphonic Music in El Jem attracts a large and distinctive audience who share a love for classical music. Not only does this festival offer its attendees a rather unique quality of music, it also presents them with the opportunity to experience the haunting beauty of the amphitheater, used centuries ago for gladiator shows and chariot races. The 27^th edition, which runs from June 30 to July 17, features orchestras, including the Rome Symphony Orchestra, and the Arab Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. For more information, click here.

La Fête de la Mer: Mahdia, July 5 – 15

Sport, Art, Culture

Celebrating its 18^th edition, the Festival of the Sea at Mahdia lasts from July 5 – 15. It offers locals and visitors a wide range of cultural and touristic activities, mainly sports tournaments and art galleries, and promotes the city of Mahdia as a summer destination. The Festival of the Sea in Mahdia is also an opportunity for visitors to discover this charming and historic city. The festival’s activities take place in different neighborhoods, including the Medina and the beach.

The International Festival of Carthage:  Tunis, July 5 – August 15

Performing Arts

Held outdoors amidst the ruins of ancient Carthage, the International Festival of Carthage is one of the most anticipated cultural events in Tunisia. Starting from July 5, the 2012 festival features a wide range of local and international artists. This year’s highlights include Mika and Alpha Blondy as well as Dhafer Youssef and Trio Joubran. Details and tickets are available on the website.

The Sfax International Festival: July 6 – August 14

Performing Arts

The International Festival of Sfax starts July 6 and continues until August 14. It features Tunisian, Turkish, Syrian, Palestinian and Greek musicians like Badiaa Bouhrizi, and Kamilya Jubran. Some festival shows will be held in Burj Ennar, bringing music into the heart of the medina of Sfax. For more information on the festival (in Arabic) check out their Facebook page.

The International Festival of Bizerte: July 9 – August 28

Performing Arts

Running from July 9 to August 28, the international festival of Bizerte will feature  several musicians like Saber Rebai and Bendirman, as well as renowned Tunisian plays, including Raja Farhat’s Bourguiba, la Dernière Prison (Bourguiba, the Last Prison). Not only will the festival offer a diverse selection of plays and concerts, it will also introduce newcomers to the coastal city of Bizerte, famous for its beaches, historic port and beautiful scenery.

The International Festival of  Hammamet : July 9 – August 18

Performing and Visual Arts

Ever since its creation in 1964, the International Festival of Hammamet has offered a rich program that celebrates different forms of art, particularly music and theater. This year, the festival lasts from July 9 to August 18. One of the highlights promises to be the Lebanese band Mahsrou’ Leila. The full program will be released on Friday July 6. Stay tuned for updates.

Update: find the program here.

F.E.L.T. reloaded:  Gabes, July 9-14

Performing and Visual Arts

Dealing with the themes of cultural decentralization and pollution, the F.E.L.T. festival targets young artists and promotes a culture of creativity, and citizenship. It features a wide range of music including reggae, blues, jazz and rock as well as and art, and runs from July 9 to 14. Check out their Facebook page for more information including a detailed program, which should be available soon.

The Boukornine festival: Hammam-Lif:  July 12 – August 14 

Performing Arts

Located in Tunis’ southern suburb of Hammam-Lif, the Boukornine festival offers a rich and diverse program starting from the July 12 to the August 14. The motto of the 33^rd edition is “so that the art of dreaming continues.” This year some highlights include Marcel Khalifa and Nassir Chamma. Here is a link to the event.

Summer Nights in Kairouane,  July 13 – 4 August

Performing and Visual Arts

The Summer Nights festival focuses on the creativity of young artists and performers. According to Hammadi Baklouti, one of the festival organizers, the event “aims to branch out into all artistic disciplines and to promote a new vision for Tunisian culture.”

The National Festival of  Theater, Bizerte:  July 26-July 29   

Theater

Organized by the Ministry of Culture, the 22^nd edition of the National Festival of Theater will entertain theater enthusiasts with a well-chosen collection of Tunisian plays, including the critically-acclaimed Tu vois ce que j’ai vu (You see what I’ve seen). The festival lasts 4 days starting from July 26. The festival was due to take place in June but has been postponed until July. At the moment there is no website but they should be posting information about other events soon.

The Festival of the Medina, Tunis: Ramadan (dates to be confirmed)

Performing and Visual Arts

The Festival of the Medina of Tunis is an annual music festival held during the month of Ramadan. The festival animates the forgotten and deserted spaces of the old city of Tunis with shows that strengthen the spiritual aspect of the month. Unfortunately, information about this year’s edition hasn’t been released yet, but we’ll let you know when it is. Even without a detailed guide, this festival is best experienced by wandering the streets of the Medina at night. The sights, smells, sounds and crowds of people will lead you to some wonderful and unexpected experiences.

FIFAK:  Kelibia, August 25 – September 1

Cinema

The FIFAK is an international amateur film festival organized by the Tunisian Federation of Amateur Filmmakers in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Heritage Preservation and the contribution of the Municipality of Kelibia. Running from August 25 to September 1, FIFAK promotes the work of amateur filmmakers allowing them to share their cinematic experiences with the audience and film critics. FIFAK is the summer destination of hundreds of movie goers, film enthusiasts and students of cinema from all parts of the country and the world. For more information click here.

Pop In Djerba, August 27 – September 2

Music

Down on the beautiful island of the lotus eaters, this festival promises to be one of the highlights of the summer with a terrific lineup of local and international acts across a range of alternative music genres. Tunisian new-folk singer Emel Methlouthi, Kiwis Connan Mockasin, French performers College, Gilb’r and Success as well as the ironically named Egyptian Hip Hop (they are from Britain and don’t play hip hop) are amongst those who have confirmed. Tickets for the three-day event are 80 dinars. Here is a link to their website.

A number of other festivals are likely to be put on throughout the country this summer. However, we’ve been unable at this stage to confirm information on many of them. Some of the ones that the Tourism office have told us about, or that usually happen in the summer include:

Festival of Sidi Bouzid 4-16 July

Fête de la Poisson (Fish Festival), La Goulette, Tunis, July

Hammamet en Fête, July

Summer Festival, Sidi Bouzid, end of July

Fête de la Poisson (Fish Festival), La Goulette, Tunis, July

Festival de la Poterie (Pottery Festival), Gallala, August

Festival de la Sculture sur le Bois (Festival of Wood Sculpture), Ain Draham, August

Festival de la Sirène (Mermaid Festival), Kerkenah Islands, August

Les Nuits de la Marsa, Tunis, usually in August

International Festival of Monastir

International Festival of Sousse

Festival Foussana, Kasserine, August

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