A weekly round-up of news, articles and surveys to make your next emergency better. Have a suggestion for the round-up? Contact me at abetteremergency@gmail.com.

Hurricanes, Typhoons, Storms…
In light of the recent disaster of a super typhoon that has rampaged through the Philippines, this seems timely: Disaster experts warn on avoiding 2004 relief effort mistakes in the Philippines.

Another that speaks to mismanaged relief aid, this time as it relates to the Japanese experience: Disaster aid for Fukushima includes expired meds and rotten food.

The situation from another angle, this time in India: Disaster, or disastrous management? Good analysis.

I suspect a flotilla of arm-chair quarterbacks are talking about how the horrors seen in the Philippines could never happen in the United States. Why? Because we are better prepared. Yet the initial reports coming out of the Philippines sound much like Katrina. We better get used to severe weather events on a regular basis, both in the U.S. and around the globe, due to climate change. In case anyone needs reminding of recent events, here’s visual proof: World’s deadliest natural disasters.

In other news…
The next catastrophic disaster to face the U.S.? Cascadia Lifelines: ‘We’re going to face serious levels of destruction’. I strongly urge local communities to undertake pre-planning efforts in order to address life-safety issues for their residents. Here are thoughts on the value of such efforts: Disaster-proof development offers incalculable benefits. Interestingly enough, there are some communities have been slow to adopt a more disaster resilient posture, even though they lived through the massive tsunami in Japan: Governments slow to designate tsunami-prone zones.

Having worked with Native Americans who were experienced Hanford “down-winders”, I expect this could gain some traction: Groups say Washington state nuke plant vulnerable to quakes.

From Philly, a step in the right direction: Proposal would protect post-disaster volunteers. As an aside, I suspect the Philadelphia Flyers may need a similar protection law.

This is unsettling when you consider the resurgence of diseases which we though had been eradicated: Say Goodbye to Your Antibiotics.

I found this to be rather unique concept and wonder if it’s a good idea: Government may sell medical services to Cambodia.

Ending on an upbeat note, take a moment to read about “when life gives you lemons”…Brothers orphaned by tsunami set up flip-flop business to help children. I found it inspirational.