72hours - San Francisco is exposed to a wide variety of hazards, both natural and man-made. Earthquakes,
fires, severe storms, power outages, and acts of terrorism are just some of the potential emergencies we may encounter. Learn what to do in response
to a specific disaster.
Action Against Hunger (AAH) - Develops and runs emergency programs in nutrition, health, water and food security for countries in need. Also provides disaster preparedness programs with the goal of anticipating and preventing humanitarian crises.
Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP) - Established in
1997, following the multi-agency evaluation of the Rwanda genocide. A unique network, ALNAP incorporates many of the key humanitarian
organisations and experts from across the humanitarian sector. Members are drawn from donors, NGOs, the Red Cross/Crescent,
the UN, independents and academics. ALNAP uses the broad range of experience and expertise within its membership to produce
tools and analysis relevant and accessible to the humanitarian sector as a whole. ALNAP's workplan is aimed at improving humanitarian performance
through learning and accountability, and consists of core activities, project activities and linked activities.
AirDisaster - Focuses on airline accidents and incidents.
AirNow - Every day its Air Quality Index (AQI) tells you how clean or polluted your outdoor air is, along with associated health effects that may be of concern.
AlertNet - Provides global news, communications and logistics services to the international
disaster relief community and the public.
American Red Cross - Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to more
than 67,000 disasters, including house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses), hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous
materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters. Also see, In the News.
Asian Disaster Reduction Center - Established in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, to facilitate exchange of
disaster reduction experts from each country and concerned bodies, accumulate and provide disaster reduction information, and carry out research
into multinational disaster reduction cooperation as the focus of this initiative.
Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) - The ASFPM is an organization of professionals
involved in floodplain management, flood hazard mitigation, the National Flood Insurance Program, and flood preparedness, warning and recovery. ASFPM has
become a respected voice in floodplain management practice and policy in the United States because it represents the flood hazard specialists of
local, state and federal government, the research community, the insurance industry, and the fields of engineering, hydrologic forecasting, emergency
response, water resources, and others.
BMS CAT - Specializes in commercial and industrial property damage restoration following fires, floods, earthquakes
and other catastrophic events.
Broadcastify - The radio communications industry's largest platform for streaming live audio for public safety, aircraft, rail, and marine related communications, a collaborative solution for collecting and disseminating radio communications data for public safety and hobbyist users.
Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) - Working to obtain U.S. Government assistance for communities and
families in Afghanistan and Iraq, while helping to shine a spotlight on the human costs of war.
Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance - A direct reporting unit to the U.S.
Pacific Command (USPACOM) and other US COCOMs (combatant commands) and supports them in promoting disaster preparedness and societal
resiliency. The Center also provides strategic advice to military, civilian and international organizations planning for and responding
to complex humanitarian emergencies.
Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue - An independent organisation dedicated to helping improve the global
response to armed conflict.
Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) - The Center, operated under a grant
from the United States Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance and initial support from IBM, has
become a valuable resource to the public, as well as U.S. government agencies, foreign embassies and international corporations, handling hundreds
of thousands of public inquiries related to international emergencies.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - CDC serves as the national focus for
developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the
health of the people of the United States.
Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) - A humanitarian fund
established by the United Nations to enable more timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to those affected by natural disasters and
armed conflicts. CERF is a tool created by the United Nations to pre-position funding for humanitarian action.
Conscience International - A non-governmental, private voluntary organization
(NGO-PVO), incorporated in the State of Georgia, USA. Its purpose is to implement humanitarian relief programs internationally through cooperative
networking with agencies, organizations, and individuals.
Crisis Mappers - International community of experts, practitioners, policymakers, technologists, researchers,
journalists, scholars, hackers and skilled volunteers engaged at the intersection between humanitarian crises, technology, crowd-sourcing, and crisis
mapping.
DARA - An independent organisation committed to improving the quality and effectiveness of aid for vulnerable
populations suffering from conflict, disasters and climate change. DARA has recognised expertise in providing support in the field of humanitarian
aid as well as climate change, disaster and risk reduction. It has conducted evaluations of humanitarian operations in over 40 countries across five
continents for a variety of government, United Nations and European Union agencies as well as major international organisations,
including the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.
Disaster Accountability Project - Improving disaster management systems through public accountability,
citizen oversight and engagement, and policy research and advocacy.
Disaster and Drought Assistance - Drought disaster uupdates
and information for the U.S. from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Doctors
Without Borders - Delivers emergency aid to victims of armed conflict, epidemics, and natural and man-made disasters, and to others who lack
health care due to social or geographical isolation.
Earthquake Information Network (EQNET) - Sponsored by a consortium of state and national organizations
in the United States that disseminate earthquake-related information. Provides links to authoritative Internet resources about earthquakes and the
issues surrounding them.
Earthquakes - San Francisco Chronicle Earthquake information.
Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) - A congressionally ratified organization that
provides form and structure to interstate mutual aid. Through EMAC, a disaster impacted state can request and receive assistance from other
member states quickly and efficiently, resolving two key issues upfront: liability and reimbursement.
Emergency Management in Australia (EMA) - Primary responsibility for the protection of life and property
in Australia as a consequence of natural, technological and human caused disasters rests with state and territory governments.
Esri Disaster Response - For many years Esri has provided assistance in the wake
of disasters throughout the world. The support comes in many forms including software, data, hardware and people. Learn more about GIS
for disaster relief.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - A comprehensive, risk-based, emergency management
program for mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery to disasters. FEMA is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government.
Also see:
FEMA Assistance - FEMA provides money and services to people in the disaster
area when losses are not covered by insurance and property has been damaged or destroyed
FEMA Mapping Information Platform - FEMA is initiating Risk
MAP and has developed a multi year plan spanning FY10-FY14. The vision for Risk MAP is to deliver quality data that increases public
awareness and leads to action that reduces risk to life and property.
Find Shelter - The Federal Emergency Management Agency puts out information on hurricane shelters every 20 minutes during natural disasters through its application programming interface. Socrata is inputting this information into its geographic information system for a new web-based platform called Find Shelter.
Flood Damage in the U.S., 1926-2003 - The flood damage estimates presented in this website
are compiled from National Weather Service records and publications, supplemented by reports of other federal and state agencies. The accompanying
report includes an evaluation of the accuracy of the estimates and recommendations for users of the data.
Forced Migration Online - Aims to give comprehensive, impartial information and to promote increased
awareness of human displacement issues to an international community of practitioners, policy makers, researchers, students or anyone interested
in the field.
Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) - A partnership of 41 countries and 8
international organizations committed to helping developing countries reduce their vulnerability to natural hazards and adapt to climate change.
The partnership's mission is to mainstream disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in country development strategies
by supporting a country-led and managed implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA).
GlobalCorps - Dedicated to matching the most qualified professionals in the development,
humanitarian and disaster relief field with organizations looking for these individuals. Access information about organizations, projects, disaster
relief efforts, field reports, latest research and more.
Google Crisis Response - Seeks to make critical information more accessible around natural
disasters and humanitarian crises. Contributions can include: updated satellite imagery of the disaster area, charitable donations to organizations
on-the-ground, outreach through Google web properties, and engineering tools. Also see Google Public Alerts.
HealthMap - Utilizes online informal sources for disease outbreak monitoring and real-time surveillance
of emerging public health threats. Delivers real-time intelligence on a broad range of emerging infectious diseases for a diverse audience including
libraries, local health departments, governments, and international travelers.
Humanitarian Information Center for Iraq - An initiative of the UN Office for
the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). A central location for data and information to assist co-ordination of humanitarian response
activities.
Humanitarian Policy Network (HPN) - HPN is an independent forum for humanitarians to share and disseminate
information, analysis and experience. We publish specialist resources for practitioners and policy makers alike and facilitate debate through regular
events and the Online Exchange discussion forum.
Hunger Plus, Inc. - Not-for-profit relief agency that provides food and related supplies for emergency use. Partners with individuals, NGOs, government agencies, church and civic groups. Projects in self sufficiency focus on food preservation, agriculture, water, health, education, housing and technology.
InterAction - A diverse coalition of more than 160 US-based relief, development, environmental
and refugee agencies working in more than 100 countries around the world committed to a set of rigorous ethical standards to ensure accountability
to donors, professional competence, and quality service.
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) - Established in 1998 by the Norwegian
Refugee Council (NRC), is the leading international body monitoring conflict-induced internal displacement worldwide.
International Crisis Group (ICG) - An independent, non-profit, multinational organisation,
with over 100 staff members on five continents, working through field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to prevent and resolve deadly conflict.
Based on information and assessments from the field, ICG produces regular analytical reports containing practical recommendations targeted
at key international decision-takers. ICG also publishes CrisisWatch, a 12-page monthly bulletin, providing a succinct regular
update on the state of play in all the most significant situations of conflict or potential conflict around the world.
International Medical Corps - A global humanitarian nonprofit organization dedicated to
saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs. Its mission is to improve the quality of life
through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in areas worldwide where few organizations dare to serve.
International Organization for Migration (IOM) - The IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. As an intergovernmental body, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to: Assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration; Advance understanding of migration issues; Encourage social and economic development through migration; Uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants.
Lower Nine - The follow up organization to nonprofit Emergency Communities, which sprung up after Katrina in Waveland, MS, and in St. Bernard, Plaquemines, and Orleans Parishes providing early forms of disaster relief and recovery. To date, Lower Nine has rebuilt eighty-three homes and completed smaller repair and renovation projects on over two hundred more.
Journal of Humanitarian Assistance - Promotes the exchange of new ideas, previously unpublished research,
and the critical write-up of field experience by field workers and researchers in humanitarian assistance.
National Hurricane Center (NHC) - The NHC mission is to save lives, mitigate property loss, and improve economic efficiency by issuing the best watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous tropical weather and by increasing understanding of these hazards.
NC4 - Provider of crisis management software, serving public agencies, private entities, and non-profit organizations
of all types and sizes. Team's collaborative software offers comprehensive functionality for the critical tasks of crisis management and is used
in a variety of applications including emergency management, homeland security, biodefense, business continuity, disaster preparedness and recovery,
event management, and exercises.
New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) - Plans and prepares for emergencies,
educates the public about preparedness, coordinates emergency response and recovery, and collects and disseminates emergency information for New
York City. Official site.
Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) - OFDA is the office within USAID responsible for providing non-food humanitarian assistance in response to international crises and disasters. Responsible for facilitating and coordinating U.S. Government emergency assistance overseas and to provide humanitarian assistance to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the social and economic impact of natural and man-made disasters worldwide.
Oxfam: Press Room - Oxfam's humanitarian, campaign, and program work.
Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) - A federal information processing facility that supports emergency managers in
the Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions.
Palestinian Refugee Researchnet (PRRN) - A non-partisan project devoted to the dissemination
of ideas and scholarly information, in an effort to foster scholarly collaboration, policy research, and innovative thinking on the Palestinian refugee
issue.
Pan American Health Organization - An international public health agency with more than 90 years of experience
in working to improve health and living standards of the countries of the Americas.
Partners in Health
(PIH) - PIH's vision, at its root, is both medical and moral. It is based on solidarity, rather than charity alone. When a person
in Peru, or Siberia, or rural Haiti falls ill, PIH uses all of the means at its disposal to make them well-from pressuring drug manufacturers,
to lobbying policy makers, to providing medical care and social services. Whatever it takes.
Proactiva Open Arms - A non-governmental, non-profit organization whose main mission is to rescue refugees from the sea that arrive to Europe fleeing wars, persecution or poverty.
Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting - The Center applies its hybrid journalism and educational
non-profit model to maintain a spotlight on often ignored issues, ranging from water and food insecurity to homophobia and stigma to fragile states
and women and children in crisis.
RadioReference - The world's largest radio communications data provider, featuring a complete frequency
database, trunked radio system information, and FCC license data. RadioReference is also the largest broadcaster of public safety
live audio communications feeds, hosting thousands of live audio broadcasts of police, fire, EMS, railroad, and aircraft communications.
Refugee Health Information Network (RHIN) - A national collaborative partnership managed by refugee
health professionals, whose objective is to provide quality multilingual, health information resources for those providing care to resettled refugees
and asylees. RHIN places its greatest emphasis on identifying, collecting, and making available quality materials that have been produced
in refugee languages. Sources of these materials include Federal, state, and local public health agencies; national organizations; health care agencies;
community-based organizations; academic institutions; and international organizations.
RefWorld - Refworld contains a vast collection of reports
relating to situations in countries of origin, policy documents and positions, and documents relating to international and national legal frameworks.
The information has been carefully selected and compiled from UNHCR's global network of field offices,
governments, international, regional and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and judicial bodies.
ReliefWeb - Clearinghouse for those needing timely information on humanitarian emergencies and
natural disasters. Designed to help the humanitarian community improve its response to emergencies.
ReliefWeb: Countries (MapBox) - Maps provided by ReliefWeb. Excellent worldwide maps and current information on drought, disease, displacement, refugees,
and more.
Sea-Watch - Rescuing refugees stranded in the Mediterranean Sea.
Social Media 4 Good - Exploring the use of social media for NGOs, non-profit organizations and to support
humanitarian relief.
St. Bernard Project - SBP's mission is to ensure that disaster-impacted citizens and communities recover in a prompt, efficient and predictable manner. Since its founding in 2006, SBP has rebuilt homes for nearly 900 families with the help of 100,000 volunteers in New Orleans.
Syria Regional Refugee Response - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees data on refugees, statistics, camps, settlements, population, data visualization.
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - While working to ensure the survival, protection and development of children and advocating a high priority for them in the allocation of resources at all times, UNICEF continues to give relief and rehabilitation assistance in emergencies.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) - The UNHCR provides protection and assistance to the world's refugees. Today, the UNHCR is one of the world's principal humanitarian agencies, with headquarters in Geneva, and offices in some 115 countries. More than 80 percent of UNHCR's 5,000-member staff work in the field, often in isolated, dangerous and difficult conditions.
USDA Disaster Assistance - Agencies of USDA help in many
ways in a disaster, but perhaps the most immediate is to ensure that people have enough to eat. There are many concerns following a storm, earthquake,
civil disturbance, flood or other disaster, but none is more important than providing food in areas where people may find themselves suddenly, and
often critically, in need.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) - A public safety system in the U.S. that allows customers who own certain wireless phones and other enabled mobile devices to receive geographically-targeted, text-like messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area. Also see Wikipedia's Wireless Emergency Alerts.
Canadian Council for Refugees - A non-profit umbrella organization committed to the rights and protection of refugees
in Canada and around the world and to the settlement of refugees and immigrants in Canada.
CDA Collaborative Learning Projects- Listening
Project - Involving many individuals and agencies who are connected in some way to international aid to engage in serious exploration of the
ideas and insights of people in recipient societies.
Common Ground Relief - A community-run organization offering temporary assistance
and mutual aid to the citizens of New Orleans and the surrounding areas.
Emergency Capacity Building Project - Launched in 2005 to improve the speed, quality, and effectiveness
of the disaster and emergency response work within the humanitarian community.
Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN) - Independently funded organization based in Dublin, Ireland UK. Works to improve the effectiveness of emergency food and nutrition interventions by providing a means of information exchange between field staff, humanitarian institutions, academics and researchers.
Food For The Hungry International (FHI) - An international relief and development organization of Christian motivation, committed to working with poor people to overcome hunger and poverty through integrated self-development and relief programs.
GiveDirectly - Locates extremely poor communities using publicly available data. It then sends field staff door-to-door to digitally collect data on poverty and enroll recipients. GiveDirectly targets households using criteria that vary by region, including aggregating a range of factors or looking at housing materials. Uses a set of independent checks to verify that recipients are eligible and do not pay bribes. Calls each recipient to verify receipt of funds, to flag issues, and to assess its own customer service.
Groupe Urgence Rehabilitation Developpement - A non-profit research institute which works on evaluations, methodology
and training with the aim of improving practices within humanitarian action in favour of crisis-affected populations.
Office of the Special Envoy for Haiti - The website for the U.N. Office of the Secretary General's Special Adviser on Community Based Medicine and Lessons From Haiti.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) - The ICRC, independent of all governments and international organizations, endeavors to promote international humanitarian law and the fundamental human values underlying that law. The ICRC was founded by Geneva citizens in 1863 and has its headquarters in Geneva. Also see Intercross, the ICRC's blog, for news and commentary on armed conflict and violence, humanitarian action, and the rules of war.
International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) - The IFRC is one part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which comprises National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the Federation), and the ICRC. The IFRC is the permanent liaison body of the National Societies and acts as their representative internationally. It organizes and coordinates international disaster response in support of the actions of the affected National Societies, encourages the creation of new National Societies and assists them in developing their structures and programs. The IFRC Secretariat in Geneva is staffed by more than 245 people of some 30 different nationalities.
International Rescue Committee (IRC) - Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is the voluntary organization involved in resettlement assistance, global emergency relief, rehabilitation, and advocacy for refugees. The IRC delivers lifesaving aid in emergencies, rebuilds shattered communities, cares for wartraumatized children, rehabilitates health care, water and sanitation systems, reunites separated families, restores lost livelihoods, establishes schools, trains teachers, strengthens the capacity of local organizations and supports civil society and good-governance initiatives. For refugees afforded sanctuary in the United States, IRC offices across the country provide a range of assistance aimed at helping new arrivals get settled, adjust and acquire the skills to become selfsufficient. Committed to restoring dignity and self-reliance, the IRC is a global symbol of hope and renewal for those who have taken flight in search of freedom.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) - Relief and development arm of the North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches. MCC sends people, food and material goods to communities recovering from war and natural disasters.
Mercy Corps (MC) - Nonprofit organization providing emergency relief and supporting development programs in agriculture, economic development, health, housing and infrastructure, and strengthening local organizations.
Oxfam International - Oxfam is a development and relief agency working to end poverty. Oxfam International is a confederation of 12 organizations working together with over 3,000 partners in more than 100 countries to find lasting solutions to poverty, suffering and injustice.
People In Aid - A global network of development and humanitarian assistance agencies to help organisations
to enhance the impact they make through better management and support of staff and volunteers.
Refugees International - Refugees International generates lifesaving humanitarian assistance and protection for displaced people around the world and works to end the conditions that create displacement. Refugees International advocates for refugees through diplomacy and the press.
Relief International - Founded in 1990, Relief International provides emergency, rehabilitation and development services that empower beneficiaries in the process. RI's programs include health, shelter construction, education, community development, agriculture, food, income-generation, and conflict resolution.
Save the Children - Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating real and lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. It is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, comprising 27 national Save the Children organizations working in more than 100 countries to ensure the well-being of children. Save the Children responds to any emergency that puts at great risk the survival, protection, and well-being of significant numbers of children, where addressing the needs and well-being of those children is beyond the indigenous coping capacity, and where Save the Children is able to mobilize the financial and human resources to take urgent action on their behalf.
Sphere Project - Represents a unique voluntary initiative, and reflects the collective will and shared
experience of a broad array of humanitarian actors. Sphere's aim is to improve the quality of assistance to people affected by disaster
and improve the accountability of states and humanitarian agencies to their constituents, donors and the affected populations.
World Vision International - A Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty.
About KWSnet
KWSnet is an Internet subject directory providing special attention to U.S. national and international news, the arts, computing, culture, environment, law, literature, media, politics, science
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