The International Charter activated for India and Ecuador

The International Charter Space and Major Disasters was activated for a floods and landslides in India and fires in Ecuador.

The Charter for India was acticated by the Indian Disaster Management Support Programme (DMS) on Sunday, 16 September 2012. On Friday, 14 September 2012, a series of cloudbursts had struck the Himalayan state of Uttarkhand, triggering flash floods and landslides. At least 45 people have been killed and 35 others are missing whilst several more are injured. The worst affected areas include several villages: Chunni, Mangoli, Kimana, Sansari, Giriya, Brahmankholi, Premnagar and Juatok. Heavy rains are known to be deadly in this area and will continue until September.

The Charter for Ecuador was activated by Sistema Federal de Emergencies (SIFEM) on behalf of Secretaria Nacional de Gestion de Riesgos (ECUADOR) on Saturday, 15 September 2012. 22 fire fighters were wounded in Ecuador after an arson attack on Tuesday, 11 September 2012. The worst affected provinces are Pichincha, El Oro and Azuay. Eight provinces were issued with an Orange alert. Whilst no victims have been reported, several homes were destroyed during the attack. The Ecuadorian government are treating the arson attack very seriously. So far, 5 people have been arrested for starting the forest fires.