Justin Goldberg – Page 3 – NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters

September 2, 2023March 29, 2024

The War in Ukraine: A Public Health Crisis

Damaged residential building in Mariupol, Ukraine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified over 1000 attacks on healthcare in Ukraine since the invasion by the Russian Federation in February of last year. This is the highest number of attacks on a healthcare system ever reported by the WHO in any humanitarian emergency. This strain on the Ukrainian healthcare system makes it much more challenging to provide routine and emergency healthcare services. The attacks on the healthcare system have hindered access to healthcare for tens of thousands of people in Ukraine, thereby increasing the risk of illness and death.

July 25, 2023July 25, 2023

WHO and UNICEF Report Highlights the Severity of Global Water Crisis for Women and Girls

Due to the current global water crisis, more than 1.8 billion people (26% of the global population) lack access to safe drinking water. An in-depth analysis conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), recently found women and girls have been disproportionally affected by the crisis. In seven out of ten households globally, women and girls are responsible for fetching water. In many cases, this burden compromises their health and safety in addition to taking time away from education and work.

July 12, 2023July 12, 2023

Tornado Hits Texas, Causes Extreme Damages and Prompting Disaster Relief Efforts

A tornado ripped through Perryton, a small city in Texas, on June 15th. With wind gusts of up to 70 MPH, the tornado caused the deaths of three individuals, injured over 100 people, and produced catastrophic damage to infrastructure and property. Prior to the disaster, The United States Storm Prediction Center identified enhanced risk for severe storms in Oklahoma, Kansas, and regions of the Texas Panhandle.

June 12, 2023June 20, 2023

Wildfires in Canada Lead to Hazardous Air Quality in the Northeast

The Triborough Bridge along the East River.

Wildfires are currently ravaging the Canadian wilderness, destroying vast amounts of wildlife. Although the current forest fires are widespread across Canada, the consequent poor air quality has made its impact on the Northeast region of the United States due to shifting wind currents. Air quality alerts continue to be in effect across several states in the Northeast.

May 30, 2023May 30, 2023

G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group Meet in Mumbai, India

The G20 summit brings together leaders from the world’s major economic and political powers to address global challenges and foster international cooperation. In late September, world leaders will have the opportunity to participate in a Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group at the G20 summit in India.

May 21, 2023May 30, 2023

Federal Government Reacts to The Colorado River Crisis

To prevent the Colorado River from reaching critically low levels, two solutions have been laid out by the US government which includes water cuts in the Southwest following the water-rights priority system. This decision impacts California the most compared to other states such as Arizona and Nevada since it receives the largest yearly share of the Colorado River.

April 24, 2023April 25, 2023

WHO Launches the Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) Initiative

The Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats initiative (PRET), was created by the WHO to prepare for and prevent future pandemics. PRET will allow nations to ensure they have the capacities to manage potential threats and increase response and recovery. From April 24th to 26th, the WHO will host a global meeting to “usher in the new era of pandemic preparedness”. The initiative will serve as a call to action for most nations as they must prepare and prevent what may come upon them in the future.

April 23, 2023April 25, 2023

Countries of the United Nations Begin Negotiations on Disaster Response and Preparedness for Future Pandemics

The United Nations organized three workshops spread across late February aimed at coordination and planning during disasters. The enhancement of disaster preparedness and response at the provincial level will allow for effective actions to be taken during disasters. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Law and Cooperative Department in Lumbini Province, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law (MolAL) in Karnali Province, and the MolAL in Sudurpaschim Province led the workshops as they are most knowledgeable in coordinating responses during disasters.

April 23, 2023April 25, 2023

Cyclone Freddy Leads to Humanitarian Crisis in South Africa

Tropical Cyclone Freddy hit the South African nations of Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar during the first few months of 2023, leading to a death toll of over 600 people. Aid organizations continue to work towards providing maximum relief for those injured, missing, and displaced in what may be the longest-ever recorded tropical cyclone in human history.