Multiple tropical storms and heavy monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, and the Philippines. As many as 900 deaths have been reported and the flooding is affecting an estimated 9 million others. Thousands of houses, entire towns and villages, and hundreds of square miles of cropland have been inundated.

Poor water and sanitation conditions bring the threat of disease—diarrhea, dengue fever, cholera and malaria are feared to be on the rise in the coming weeks. Widespread damage to rice crops is expected to have a large impact on both food supply and economic stability.

Operation USA is assessing needs on the ground, as well as planning essential medical and emergency supply shipments to hospital and health care/NGO partners which provide free medical care for those in need. Operation USA has worked in Southeast Asia since its earliest days—and continues to support partners in Cambodia, Vietnam, The Philippines and Thailand.

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Early support can directly affect how quickly and effectively we can respond to this major disaster.

Support Operation USA’s vital work today.
Donate today

Since July, multiple tropical storms and heavy monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, and the Philippines, resulting in approximately 900 deaths, affecting an estimated 9 million others, and inundating thousands of houses and acres of cropland. To date, floods have most affected locations in Cambodia, southern Vietnam, and Thailand.

In Thailand, floods have impacted communities in 60 of the country’s 77 provinces. Although floodwaters are receding in the country’s northern and central provinces, water has begun to spread southward into the Bangkok
Metropolitan Area. To date, floods have inundated several city districts.

In Cambodia, flooding has affected 18 of the country’s 24 provinces, exacerbating poor water and sanitation conditions and impacting one-tenth of the country’s rice crop, according to the U.N. Although the situation in flood-affected regions has begun to stabilize, floodwaters are receding slowly.

In Vietnam, floods have primarily impacted nine of the country’s 58 provinces. According to the Government of Vietnam (GoVN), current flood levels in the Mekong Delta have reached—and in some cases surpassed— flood levels from 2000, but have resulted in a comparatively low death toll, due to GoVN evacuations and other preparedness measures.

NUMBERS AT A GLANCE
Country: Number Affected/Number Evacuated/Deaths

Thailand: 2.1+ million/113,000 people/377

Cambodia: 1.5 million/46,400 families/247

Vietnam: 700,000/6,500 families/ 59

Laos: 430,000/Not available/34

Philippines: 4.3 million/65,000 people/111

Burma: 35,000/Not available/78

Thailand
Current Situation
As of October 26, the GoT reported that floods over the last two months had resulted in a cumulative total of 377 deaths. According to relief agencies, most deaths in flood-affected areas are due to drowning or electrocution. Floods have also damaged approximately 4 million acres of crops across 60 of Thailand’s 77 provinces. Flooding continues to affect more than 2.1 million people across 26 provinces, down from 28 provinces reported on October 25.

The GoT has established more than 1,700 temporary evacuation centers—primarily schools and universities. To date, approximately 113,000 individuals have evacuated flood-affected areas for shelters in safer areas. Local media sources report that families continue to depart Bangkok for unaffected provinces, with significant outbound traffic reported on roads, bus terminals, and the Suvarnabhumi Airport. However, according to the U.N., an estimated 80 percent of flood-affected individuals countrywide have chosen to remain in their houses.

To date, central Bangkok has not experienced significant flooding and most locations in the inner city remain dry. However, GoT officials have alerted individuals in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area of possible additional flooding in the coming days, as water run-off from upstream locations combines with high tides in the Gulf of Thailand between October 27 and 31. High tides are expected to increase water levels in the Chao Phraya River and may prevent floodwaters from draining into the gulf. According to GoT officials, locations near the Chao Phraya River and communities outside of the city’s flood barriers, including northern, western, and eastern suburbs, remain at risk of flooding.

In recent days, emergency personnel have experienced difficulty draining water from northern locations to the east of Bangkok, due to its elevated location. Roads in the area have also blocked floodwaters from reaching newly installed water pumps. To facilitate water drainage, GoT officials have proposed digging channels into five roads in eastern Bangkok. As of October 28, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Yingluck Shinawatra, had given her approval for one road channel to determine its impact on water drainage.

USG Assessments
On October 26, USAID/OFDA staff visited Nong Chok and Lat Krabang districts in the eastern Bangkok Metropolitan Area, where local government officials began to report flooding early last week. Officials in Nong Chok District—located at the intersection of the Khlong 13 and Khlong Saen Saep canals—reported that the drainage system in the district has been working efficiently, and USAID/OFDA staff confirmed that water levels in both canals remained relatively low. However, because the area is located outside of the city’s flood defenses, people in the district remain at risk.

On October 27, USAID/OFDA staff visited flood-affected areas and three evacuation centers in Ayutthaya Province—one of the areas most affected by recent floods—and Suphanburi Province. USAID/OFDA staff noted that the majority of people in areas visited have chosen to remain in their houses, purchasing food, water, and other basic household goods at nearby markets or through government distribution systems; families also have access to food, water, emergency relief supplies, and health care at evacuation centers. While reporting no acute unmet humanitarian needs in the areas visited, USAID/OFDA staff noted a need to continue to closely monitor populations’ access to safe drinking water and sanitation and hygiene facilities in flood-affected areas, particularly if displacement is prolonged. To date, drinking water continues to be provided at evacuation centers and is available in stores; however, supplies are decreasing. The GoT is currently working with retailers to ensure that stores in affected areas continue to be re-stocked.

According to USAID/OFDA staff, doctors and nurses are providing health care to flood-affected individuals at the evacuation centers visited, with no significant increases in diseases or major health concerns reported. USAID/OFDA staff found that Pra Nakorn Sri Ayutthaya hospital remains under approximately 2 meters of water, but noted that officials had already transferred patients to other facilities and had begun removing equipment from the facility.

On October 28, USAID/OFDA staff reported that the Chao Phraya River had not overflowed in eastern locations of central Bangkok to Nonthaburi Province, with water levels remaining 1 to 3 feet below the flood walls. However, while the river has not inundated areas visited, the USAID/OFDA team observed water backing up in storm drains on side streets, resulting in some inundation along roadways. The team also noted that emergency personnel had begun to pump water away from main streets.

GoT emergency personnel continue to work to increase the height of embankments along the Chao Phraya River and pump water away from inundated neighborhoods. According to USAID/OFDA staff in Bangkok,
approximately 2,000 volunteers are assisting with flood prevention and mitigation efforts by making an average of 50,000 to 60,000 sandbags daily at a location managed by the GoT Department of Disaster Prevention and
Mitigation (DDPM). Potential flooding in the coming days will likely depend on several factors, including the level of water run-off from northern locations, the tide levels, and the capacity of levees and embankments to withstand water flows.

The Flood Relief Operations Center (FROC) continues to urge Bangkok residents to prepare for a worst case flood scenario during the coming days, including potential evacuations. As of October 28, GoT officials had advised residents of Bang Plad, Don Muang, Sai Mai, and parts of Thawi Wattana districts to evacuate, placed other districts near the Chao Phraya River and major canals on alert for possible evacuations, and advised city residents to depart the capital, if possible.

Cambodia
Current Situation
As of October 26, monsoon- and tropical storm-related flooding had impacted 18 of Cambodia’s 24 provinces, resulting in 247 deaths and affecting approximately 1.5 million people. Floods have also resulted in the
evacuation of more than 46,300 households. Although the situation has begun to stabilize, with water levels decreasing in several areas during the past week, floodwaters are receding slowly.

Agriculture and Food Security
According to the U.N., floodwaters have impacted more than 1 million acres of rice paddy, of which approximately 57 percent were damaged, particularly in Kampong Thom, Battambang, and Prey Veng provinces. Damaged paddies account for approximately 9 percent of the total 2.5 million acres of rice planted this season. According to relief agencies, loss of crops will likely significantly impact vulnerable households’ livelihoods and food security, as most flood-affected families rely on agricultural production for both food and income.

WASH and Health
As of October 20, the U.N. World Health Organization (WHO) had provided funding and technical assistance to the GoC Ministry of Health (MoH) to perform rapid health assessments and start daily surveillance of communicable diseases in flood-affected districts. To date, the MoH has not identified a significant increase in diseases in flood-affected areas. According to a recent MoH–WHO assessment in eight affected provinces in Cambodia, while floodwaters had
inundated approximately 108 health centers in areas assessed, health care officials continue to deliver health services to affected populations.

Floods have submerged water sources in many flood-affected provinces, limiting affected families’ access to safe drinking water. While officials have not reported any significant outbreaks of diseases at this time, consumption
of contaminated water puts people at risk for the spread of waterborne diseases. Following recent field assessments, the USAID/OFDA RA noted the need for increased access to safe drinking water, in conjunction
with hygiene and sanitation activities in flood-affected areas to prevent an increase in waterborne diseases.

Vietnam
Current Situation
Monsoon rains, exacerbated by three recent tropical storms, have resulted in flooding across Vietnam, particularly in southern and central provinces. As of October 24, floods had affected more than 700,000 people, resulted in approximately 60 deaths, and inundated an estimated 88,000 houses, as well as thousands of acres of rice and other crops, according to the GoVN.

According to the U.N., water levels in the Mekong Delta Region remain above flood Alert Level III, with only slight decreases observed in recent days. The GoVN National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting predicts floodwaters to continue to slowly decline, but remain above Alert Level III until early November. The U.N. and GoVN authorities expect floodwaters in Ho Chi Minh City, the most populous city in Vietnam, to continue rising through the end of the month, due to unusually high tide levels and expected releases of floodwater from two reservoirs in neighboring provinces. According to local media reports, local authorities in southern Vietnam are reinforcing broken dykes, pumping water out of rice paddies, and monitoring the stability of important dyke in affected areas.

Philippines
Current Situation
Two consecutive typhoons led to flooding and landslides in the northern Philippines, affecting more than 4 million people, resulting in approximately 110 deaths, and damaging or destroying an estimated 73,000 houses,
according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). As of October 25, more than 12,000 individuals remained in 13 evacuation centers in northern regions. On October 12, an additional
storm, Tropical Storm Banyan moved over the Philippines, resulting in 10 additional deaths and affecting nearly 63,000 individuals across 11 provinces.

Source: USAID

USAID/OFDA bulletins appear on the USAID website at http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/

Boeing, RwandAir and Operation USA partner to deliver 1,500 school books

SEATTLE, Aug. 25, 2011– Boeing today delivered a Next-Generation 737 with the new Boeing Sky Interior to RwandAir, making it the first African carrier to own and operate Boeing’s innovative interior. The delivery also is the first direct-purchase 737 in RwandAir’s fleet. “This new interior will set RwandAir apart from our competition by bringing a new, unmatched flying experience to our valued customers,” said John Mirenge, CEO of RwandAir.

The Boeing Sky Interior introduces new cove lighting and curving architecture that create a distinctive entry way. Passengers will enjoy a more open cabin and a soft blue sky overhead simulated by light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. The new interior also brings new, modern, sculpted sidewalls and window reveals to draw passengers’ eyes to the view outside the window.

“Today is a proud day for RwandAir as well as the country of Rwanda,” said Dr. Alex Nzahabwanimana, Minister of Transport for Rwanda. “Being the first airline on the African continent with the Boeing Sky Interior certainly puts Rwanda at the forefront of the aviation industry in Africa today and beyond.”

As part of Boeing’s Humanitarian Delivery Flights program, Boeing partnered with RwandAir and Operation USA on this delivery flight to deliver 1,500 science and other educational books to the Rotary Club of Kigali. The science books will be accepted by Rwanda’s Ministry of Education and distributed to high schools and universities throughout the country. The remaining books will be distributed to the Kigali Public Library – Rwanda’s first public library.

Operation USA is an international relief agency that helps communities around the globe overcome the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty. Since 1979, the organization has been providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid by working with grass-roots partners to provide material and financial assistance necessary in the face of a disaster as well as to combat the effects of systemic poverty.

Operating from Kigali as its hub, RwandAir’s fleet includes two Boeing 737-500s, two CRJ200s and a Dash8-200. “With this new airplane, RwandAir will provide our passengers with unmatched reliability and the most unique flying experience in the sky today,” said Mirenge. “We are confident our customers will look back on their flight with enthusiasm and excitement for their next flight.”

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Contact:
Adam Morgan
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
+1 281-386-4396
adam.k.morgan@boeing.com

Michael Otieno
RwandAir
+250 788 308 761
michael.otieno@rwandair.com

Alison Deknatel
Operation USA
+1 323-413-2353
adeknatel@opusa.org

JULIE ANDREWS, OPERATION USA FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER APPEALS FOR SUPPORT FOR EAST AFRICAN DROUGHT & FAMINE VICTIMS

LOS ANGELES, CA (August 15, 2011)— A message from Julie Andrews, Operation USA Founding Board Member:

“Like many of you, I’ve been watching the developing story of yet another famine in East Africa. The images of mothers walking across a hundred miles of desert with their emaciated children is haunting.

I was privileged to be part of a massive relief effort in the mid-1980s which focused on Ethiopia and 7 neighboring countries. Millions of lives were at risk; but millions were saved by timely shipments of essential aid and a global commitment to help those in need.

I hope you’ll join us at Operation USA as we do our part once again.”

HOW TO HELP: 

Donate now

Text AID to 50555 and donate $10 to Operation USA’s disaster relief efforts.

Donations can also be made by phone at 1.800.678.7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 7421 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036.

Corporate donations of bulk quantities of disaster-appropriate supplies are also being requested. Air miles can also be donated to Operation USA through United Airlines Charity Miles program at www.united.com.

About Operation USA
Operation USA is working to send emergency aid to East Africa as part of relief efforts responding to the worst drought to hit the region in 60 years. The UN has officially declared famine in parts of southern Somalia—regions of Lower Shabelle and southern Bakool. It is predicted that the entire South of Somalia will face famine within the next two months. Operation USA is working to assess unmet needs on the ground, with its initial response focusing on water resource needs in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camps. The Dadaab camps are reported to receive as many as 1,300 refugees a day, the majority fleeing war-torn Somalia. The world’s largest such site, these camps house almost 400,000 displaced people in three camps originally designated for 90,000. Operation USA first worked in Somalia in 1980, and was particularly active in response to the famine in East Africa from 1984-85.



Media Contact: 

Alison Deknatel
Director, Communications

323.413.2353
adeknatel@opusa.org


Richard Walden
President & CEO
Operation USA
323.413.2353
rwalden@opusa.org

OPERATION USA TO AID DROUGHT RELIEF EFFORTS IN EAST AFRICA

FAMINE CONDITIONS DECLARED BY UN

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 21, 2011)—Los Angeles-based International relief agency Operation USA announced today that it will send emergency aid to East Africa as part of relief efforts responding to the worst drought to hit the region in 60 years. The UN has officially declared famine in parts of southern Somalia—regions of Lower Shabelle and southern Bakool. It is predicted that the entire south of Somalia will face famine within the next two months. Operation USA is working to assess unmet needs on the ground, with its initial response focusing on water resource needs in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camps. The Dadaab camps are reported to receive as many as 1,300 refugees a day, the majority fleeing war-torn Somalia. The world’s largest such site, these camps house almost 400,000 displaced people in three camps originally designated for 90,000.

Other countries in the Horn of Africa are being severely affected by drought. Successive seasons of failed rains—combined with increasing food prices, conflict and limited humanitarian access—have resulted in food and water shortages, acute malnutrition and mass displacement throughout the region. The lack of rain has also contributed to massive livestock deaths undermining the livelihoods of those who depend on them for economic and food security. Estimates are that there are at least 1.5 million displaced people—and 10 million people in need of immediate food assistance as a result of this crisis.

Operation USA has numerous ongoing projects in Africa–with its initial aid effort dating from 1980 in Somalia. The 1984-86 East African famine was one of Operation USA’s largest relief efforts. Current projects in Rwanda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Sierra Leone encompass maternal and child health, mental health, literacy and community development.

HOW TO HELP: 
Donate online at www.opusa.org, by phone at 1.800.678.7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 7421 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036.

Text AID to 50555 and donate $10 to Operation USA’s disaster relief efforts. Corporate donations of bulk quantities of disaster-appropriate supplies are also being requested. Air miles can also be donated to Operation USA through United Airlines Charity Miles program at www.united.com.



Media Contact:

Alison Deknatel
Director, Communications

323.413.2353 or adeknatel@opusa.org


Richard Walden
President & CEO
323.413.2353 or rwalden@opusa.org

THE BIRD AND THE BEE
A BENEFIT FOR OPERATION USA
SATURDAY, JUNE 4
AT THE BOOTLEG THEATER IN LOS ANGELES

Los Angeles, CA (April 20, 2011)—Operation USA today announced that The Bird and The Bee will perform at the Bootleg Theater on June 4th in Los Angeles, with proceeds to benefit Operation USA’s disaster relief work around the world.

Multi-instrumentalist Greg Kurstin and doe-eyed vocalist Inara George draw upon a fondness for jazz standards and ‘60s tropicalia to deliver the stylish tones of The Bird and The Bee. As intoxicating as a Brazilian breeze and ironic as a David Lynch night in L.A., the duo make a soothingly hip, deliriously cool blend of pop. Inara George is a breathy singer who channels Astrud Gilberto via Julee Cruise. Keyboardist and producer Greg Kurstin has worked with Beck and the Flaming Lips, among many others. Taking elements of everything from the Beach Boys to 60’s Brazil electronica, The Bird and The Bee spin them into irrepressible sunshine-drenched, semi-psychedelic ditties.

Doors will open at 7pm, and the show will begin at 8pm (no opening act). General admission/limited seating tickets are $35 and are available now at Ticketfly.com. The event is 21 and over. VIP tables for 4 are available with a $1000 donation and include a complete Bird and The Bee discography. Please call Operation USA for more information, 310.838.3455.

Operation USA is a Los Angeles-based international relief agency that helps communities at home and abroad overcome the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid. Since 1979, OpUSA has worked in 99 countries, delivering over $350 million for relief and development projects. 96% of all money donated to OpUSA’s relief efforts and programs are spent on direct support and materials for people in need; only 4% of money donated is available for operational costs or overhead. OpUSA is also unique in the way they identify and target aspects of the community that will make the most positive impact on peoples’ lives, including training that provides people with sustaining skills. Learn more at www.opusa.org.


This event is made possible by generous support from The Bird and The Bee, Gibson Baldwin, KCRW, Be Why and the Bootleg Theater.


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Media contact:
 


Alison Deknatel                                             
Operation USA    

Director of Communications                         
310-838-3455                                                   
adeknatel@opusa.org

The Echoplex on Sunday, May 22, 2011
All Proceeds Donated to Operation USA
 
Los Angeles, CA (April 8, 2011)—The Echoplex will host the inaugural Rhythm & Soul for Relief: Concert for Japan, Haiti & the World on Sunday, May 22. Net ticket proceeds from this night will be donated to Operation USA for their relief efforts in Japan, Haiti and other disaster zones.
 
Last year in response to the earthquakes in Haiti, Operation USA presented a nearly sold-out Haiti Relief Concert featuring Hepcat, Dengue Fever and others. Over $13,000 was raised for OpUSA’s work in Haiti. Based on the overwhelming response by music fans along with the need to support immediate and ongoing efforts in numerous affected areas around the world, OpUSA is launching this annual benefit and awareness concert series.
 
The soul-infused line-up features some of Los Angeles’ most popular home grown talent: hip hop trio Dilated Peoples (Rakaa, Evidence, DJ Babu), funk group Breakestra, cumbia band Very Be Careful, Latin soul outfit Boogaloo Assassins, new reggae all-stars The Good Times featuring Black Shakespeare, plus selectors DJ 2High (DPG Japan), Music Man Miles (Funky Sole/Root Down) and Tom Chasteen (Dub Club/Echodelic Soundsystem). Black Shakespeare (I&I Sound) will also emcee this event alongside veteran radio host Junor Francis.
 
Operation USA is a Los Angeles-based international relief agency that helps communities at home and abroad overcome the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid. Since 1979, OpUSA has worked in 99 countries, delivering over $350 million for relief and development projects.

Following the 8.9 earthquake and massive tsunami that hit northeast Japan, OpUSA is working with a well-established network of local partners to address immediate needs for material aid, with a focus on shelter and medical supplies. While further assessment is needed before committing to specific recovery projects, OpUSA will focus its efforts on supporting communities that may be overlooked by larger agencies or the Japanese government. Projects will be identified where the efforts can have the maximum impact.
 
Following the devastation in Haiti and the continuing struggles their people still face, OpUSA helped complete one of the largest post-quake rebuilding projects so far. Earlier this month, construction was completed for Ecole Nationale Jacob Martin Henriquez, a new, state-of-the-art public school in the hard hit city of Jacmel. This nine-building complex will provide a new educational home to more than 400 local children in grades K through 7. In addition, a scholarship fund has been developed by OpUSA to help support expenses the students will incur during the year, including mandatory uniforms, books and supplies. A feeding program that will provide a hot meal every day for each student and community development programs are also being planned.

Unique to Operation USA is their policy that 96% of all money donated to relief efforts and programs are spent on direct support and materials for people in need; only 4% of money donated is available for operational costs or overhead. OpUSA is also unique in the way they identify and target aspects of the community that will make the most positive impact on peoples’ lives, including training that provides people with the sustaining skills. www.opusa.org.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $17 at the door and available now through www.ticketweb.com. Doors open at 7pm with live performances from 8pm to midnight. The Echoplex is located at 1154 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026 in downtown Echo Park, below The Echo (enter through the alley off of Glendale Blvd). Phone # is 213-413-8200. It’s an 18 and over, general admission venue. www.attheecho.com  
  
About the Performers: 
 
Dilated Peoples
The Los Angeles-based Dilated Peoples is an iconic hip hop crew that has managed to perform amazing feats on the thin line between underground and mainstream. Though they made much of their name performing live on the international club and festival circuits, they are also revered for their bona fide hip hop classic records like “Worst Comes To Worst” (featuring Guru) and “This Way” (featuring Kanye West and John Legend). They have also made worldwide names for themselves as solo artists with Evidence’s The Weatherman LP and The Layover EP; DJ Babu’s Beat Tape Instrumentals and Duck Season series; and Rakaa dropping 2010’s critically acclaimed Crown of Thorns album and staying in global demand as an event host. Dilated Peoples are always soldiers for the cause and supporters of the movement. www.dilatedpeoples.com
 
Breakestra
Breakestra was formed by multi-instrumentalist, composer, DJ and producer, Miles “Music Man” Tackett in 1997 as a live tribute to the ‘60s/’70s funk and soul-jazz music (breaks) that had been sampled in late ‘80s/early ‘90s hip hop beats. Though it was an 8-piece live ensemble of musicians, the sets were (and still are) played in the same seamless medley style as the original Bronx hip hop DJs of the pre-sampling 1970s. After releasing the Live Mix Part 2 in 2000 on Stones Throw, a recording capturing the original live hip hop/sample concept, Tackett and front man vocalist Mixmater Wolf decided to express their own soulful proclamations and recorded the all original funk-soul jazz (with a little hip-hop) album Hit The Floor released on Ubiquity Records in 2005. Their most recent all originals recording, Dusk Till Dawn (dedicated to the late Los Angeles angel DJ Dusk) released in 2009, expanded out stylistically to include some world psychedelic-funk sounds and also featured the debut of vocalist Afrodyete “the African Goddess of funky soul & love”. Live, you still get the non-stop, hip hop train of funk power but with the added flavor of the many Breakestra originals in the mix! www.breakestra.com
 
Very Be Careful
Very Be Careful is a homegrown L.A. band that plays Colombian vallenato music, a traditional Caribbean sound that centers around the accordion, backed with percussion and bass. Members include Ricardo “Ricky G” Guzman on accordion and vocals, Arturo “Brickems” Guzman on bass, Craig “Peabody” Martin on guacharaca, Dante “The Rip” Ruiz on campana, and Richard “Mil Caras” Panta on caja vallenata. From the streets of Austin’s SXSW and Germany’s World Cup Tour ’06 to the cultural pinnacles of Chicago’s Summer Dance Series, New York’s Central Park Summerstage, L.A.’s Grand Performances, Glastonbury Music Festival, and Fuji Rock Festival, to NY’s SOBs, LA’s House of Blues and backyard BBQs, VBC has tamed the beasts within or unleashed the ones without. They have performed alongside Joe Strummer, Alfredo Gutierrez, Antibalas, Carlos Vives, Dub Trio, Grupo Niche,Kronos Quartet, Gogol Bordello. VBC’s latest album, Escape Room (Barbès 2010), goes farther than just capturing the insane energy of their live shows. It’s a true modern monument to Vallenato which uses all the tools of genre’s pioneers without ever feeling anachronistic. www.verybecareful.com
 
Boogaloo Assassins
Formed in Los Angeles in 2007, the Boogaloo Assassins are the West Coast’s modern answer to New York City’s Latin music explosion of the late 1960s. Heavily indebted to the classic sounds of Spanish Harlem, Los Asesinos serve up late 1960’s style salsa with Latin boogaloo, best described as a raucous fusion of American R&B with Cuban rhythms, sung in both English and Spanish. Perfect for any night, the Assassins’ live show is a youthful, high-energy, packed dance floor affair that lives up to the boogaloo legacy. For the Boogaloo Assassins the mission is simple: bring the people a funky good time, Latin-soul style. Los Asesinos have had the honor of sharing the stage with many of their favorite groups: Greyboy All-Stars, B-Side Players, Grupo Fantasma, The Aggrolites, Budos Band, Money Mark, Orgone, Breakestra, and The Lions at venues such as Sunset Junction Festival, El Rey Theatre, House of Blues, Echo Plex, Getty Museum Summer Sessions Series, and a year-long residency at LA’s The Mint. www.boogalooassassins.com
 
The Good Times featuring Black Shakespeare
The Good Times is a dynamic new reggae band sprung from the Los Angeles music scene. Boasting an all-star line-up of musicians who have worked a vast array of artists in all styles of music, The Good Times is leading the charge in a resurgence of roots reggae mixed with jazz, dub, hip hop, and soul. Formed in 2011, the band includes front man Black Shakespeare along with a powerful horn section and airtight rhythm section.  With songs like “Mama Earth,” “One and All,” and “Catch Fleas,” The Good Times manage to rock the party and open minds all at the same time.            

# # #

Contacts:
 
Operation USA                                                                 
Alison Deknatel                                            
Director of Communications                      
310-838-3455                                           
adeknatel@opusa.org                          

Event Organizers   
Sean Heitkemper   
Sean@RockeryMusic.com  

Eric Kohler          
rockeryeric@yahoo.com

SNOOP DOGG TEAMS UP WITH NEFF HEADWEAR TO RAISE MONEY FOR OPERATION USA’S RELIEF EFFORTS IN JAPAN WITH
“SNOOP DOGG X NEFF JAPAN TEE”

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 21, 2011)—Music legend, Snoop Dogg and lifestyle brand, Neff Headwear have teamed up in efforts to raise money for those affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Snoop and Neff have designed a Japan relief t-shirt “Snoop Dogg x Neff Japan Tee”, in which all profits will be donated to Operation USA, an international relief agency that helps communities at home and abroad overcome the effects of disasters. Each “Snoop Dogg x Neff Japan Tee” will sell for $20 (via NeffHeadWear.com

Snoop has close ties to Japan, “I got so much love for Japan that when I heard about the recent disaster I knew I had to do what I could to help. My Japanese family member, DJ 2High, called me and let me know how bad it really is, they need a lot of support and I hope that this Tee that I am doing with my NEFF family will help make a difference. I said it before and I will say it again, Keep your head up Japan.”

HOW TO HELP
Visit www.neffheadwear.com and purchase the “Snoop Dogg x Neff Japan Tee”

Donate online at www.opusa.org, by phone at 1.800.678.7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232. Text REBUILD to 50555 to donate $10 to Operation USA’s relief efforts in Japan.

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Media Contact :
Alison Deknatel
adeknatel@opusa.org
310.838.3455

OPERATION USA PREPARES EMERGENCY AID FOR JAPAN FOLLOWING 8.9 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE

LOS ANGELES, CA (UPDATE: March 18, 2011)—Los Angeles-based International relief agency Operation USA is currently preparing aid to Japan following the earthquake and tsunami that hit last week.

Operation USA is working to address immediate needs for material aid in the face of the enormous damage caused, with a focus on shelter and medical supplies. A delivery of winter-wear/clothing is currently underway, providing much needed warm outerwear to those in transitional housing. Emergency supplies, including shelter items, hand-crank radios and flash lights, are being prepared for shipment. Staged disaster supplies are also being prepped for dispatch from OpUSA’s Port of Los Angeles warehouse, to on the ground partner agencies in Japan. Local partners include Peace Winds Japan and Second Harvest.

Given the incredible scale of this catastrophe, second phase needs will be tremendous. Operation USA will work with a well-established network of local partners, and draw on resources in Japan dating back to the Kobe quake.

While further assessment is needed before committing to specific recovery projects, Operation USA will focus its efforts on supporting communities that may be overlooked by larger agencies or the Japanese government. Projects will be identified where the efforts can have the maximum impact. Operation USA has over 30 years experience in both education and community health projects (most recently in Haiti, China and Chile), and will focus its recovery efforts in these areas.

The 8.9 quake, the most powerful recorded in Japan’s history, struck 250 miles north-east of Tokyo, trigerring a massive Tsunami. The earthquake hit at 1446 local time at a depth of about 24km, causing great human loss and extensive damage to infrastructure.

HOW TO HELP:
Donate online at www.opusa.org, by phone at 1.800.678.7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.

Text REBUILD to 50555 to donate $10 to Operation USA’s relief efforts in Japan.

Corporate donations of bulk quantities of disaster-appropriate supplies are also being requested. Air miles can also be donated to Operation USA through United Airlines Charity Miles program at www.united.com.

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Media Contact :
Alison Deknatel
adeknatel@opusa.org
310.838.3455

Richard Walden
President and CEO
rwalden@opusa.org
310.838.3455

This report is produced by OCHA. It was issued by the Regional Office in Asia Pacific with input from the UNDAC team in Tokyo. It covers the period from 14-15 March.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES
• There has been a third explosion at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant
• Radiation from the nuclear plant has reached harmful levels within the evacuation zone
• Emergency relief operations enter into their fifth day with some areas still inaccessible
• Food, water and fuel are reported to be running short in some parts of Japan
• Significant areas of the country remain without power and water

Situation Overview

It has been five days since the north east coast of Japan was devastated by a powerful tsunami triggered by one of the world‘s strongest earthquakes on record—now reported as magnitude 9.0. As a result of these two emergencies a third emergency, the threat of nuclear radiation emerged, which is proving to be the most difficult to deal with.

Despite the deteriorating nuclear emergency, humanitarian operations continue unaffected. Today Prime Minister Naoto Kan ordered a shift of focus in humanitarian operations from rescue activities to provision of essential items to the affected areas.

Nearly 416,300 people have been evacuated from the earthquake and tsunami affected provinces, half of which are from Miyagi (203,953 people). Others are from Fukushima (131,665 people), Iwate (46,405 people), Ibaraki (22,595 people), Tochigi (9,530) and Aomori (2,143 people).

The Government of Japan has confirmed that 1,990 people have died, 1,885 people are injured and 2,369 people remain missing. National media is reporting that more than 15,000 people are unaccounted for in the affected areas. In Fukushima alone, 1,200 people are unaccounted for. The number will most likely increase further in the coming days. More than 10,000 people are stranded due to inundation from the tsunami waves and are unreachable in Iwate. An additional 1,000 are also stranded in Miyagi and Fukushima.

Around the northern coastal region of Tohoku, the number of damaged buildings continues to increase each day. As of 15 March, 3,385 buildings are destroyed and over 55,000 damaged either by earthquakes, tsunami or fire. Transportation systems still remain paralyzed but the Government is making significant
progress to restore key roads, bridges and railways. The National Police Agency says at least 128 roads and 21 bridges damaged by the earthquake and tsunami have been repaired. Essential services such as electricity, gas and water remain disrupted, with more than 843,000 households serviced by Tokyo Electric Power Company and Tohoku Electric Power Company experiencing power shortages. Some 1.4 million households still remain without water. It’s important to note that people without water and electricity extend well beyond the four most affected prefectures. This emergency is having an impact on people across the country.

The threat of continued aftershocks and tsunami continues to affect emergency operations in northeast Japan. Friday’s earthquake shifted the entire island of Honshu two and a half metres. The ground also sunk by about 72 centimetres along the coastal areas of Iwate and Fukushima prefectures, and seawalls sustained extensive damage. With the National Meteorological Agency predicting a 70-percent chance of another 7-magnitude earthquake by the end of the week, the concern is that many buildings are already weakened and coastal areas are most vulnerable with no sea walls to protect them against another tsunami.

Snow and rain is also forecast from the evening of 15 March until the 17 March in the earthquake and tsunami affected areas and is likely to impact road conditions and affect humanitarian access to the disaster-hit areas. Cold conditions in Tokyo are also expected to increase demand for heating energy at a time that there are electricity shortages due to power rationing.

Meanwhile, the nuclear reactor emergency further south has deteriorated significantly. A third explosion occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on the morning of 15 March exposing nuclear fuel rods for several hours. Within three hours the amount of radiation at the plant rose to 163 times the previously recorded level, according to Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency. Elsewhere radiation levels were said to have reached 400 times the “annual legal limit” at reactor No. 3. Subsequently, a fire erupted at reactor No. 4 of the Fukushima Daini plant and a hydrogen explosion occurred at No. 4 reactor as well. The Government has ordered a no-fly zone 30 km around the plant, and Prime Minister Naoto Kan has expanded to 30 km the range within which people should remain indoors and warned that further leaks are possible. The Government has asked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to send a technical support team to affected area. The IAEA is coordinating international nuclear response support to Japan through Response and Assistance Network (RANET). A US expert team is supporting Japanese counterparts in dealing with the nuclear crisis.

The Government has deployed 100,000 troops to lead the relief effort. With the help of 9,500 fire-fighters and 920 police they have together rescued 22,184 people to date. In Miyagi, one of the most affected prefectures, which sustained the largest number of casualties and the largest number of evacuees, the National Police Agency and Japan Self-Defence Force have rescued more than 2,200 people to date. It has rescued stranded people and sick patients. In addition, the Japan Coast Guard, and Fire and Disaster Management Agency have rescued nearly 3,000 people, including about 970 affected people stranded in isolated villages. Various national agencies have provided personnel mobilised from prefectures mostly outside of the Tohoku region for this relief operation. The National Police Agency has mobilised 1,115 police officers and 7 helicopters. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency has provided 2,588 personnel including 19 air units. 31 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) have been operating at the Sendai Medical Centre.

The main humanitarian needs continue to be food, drinking water, blankets, latrines, fuel and medical items which the Government and private sector in Japan are urgently mobilizing to the affected areas. More than a
quarter of the planned food delivery has now reached the affected areas (more than 550,140 meals of bread, instant noodles and rice balls). Nearly 119,000 water bottles, 117,000 blankets and 130 latrines and 288,000 litres of fuel have been transported as well.