Hurricane Maria, which struck Puerto Rico and Dominica in September 2017, was a devastating storm that decimated the Caribbean in 2017. It was a Category-5 hurricane, making it one of the most powerful tropical cyclones to strike the country.
This hurricane is a reminder of the devastating impact climate change has had on the Caribbean. The Atlantic Ocean is now warmer than ever, with sea temperatures increasing by a third in the past 40 years. That can be attributed to human-caused global warming, scientists say.
Experts warn that this could also mean that natural disasters in the region are increasing in frequency. Many of the most vulnerable Caribbean countries, including Dominica and Saint Croix, are still recovering from Maria's damage.
UNICEF puerto rico hurricane maria recovery
Unicef is helping Puerto Rican children to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria. The organization provided water and hygiene products to those in most need. They also assisted children in coping with the emotional effects of the disaster.
They created a workshop that was completely in Spanish for children to understand the events and how they will affect their lives. It's the result of a collaboration by UNICEF with a local nonprofit Center for School Behavioral Health.
Stern says that these workshops helped many children to cope with the effects of the storm on their lives. The center's staff of social workers has been trained to help children cope with their emotions, she said. The group works closely with schools to show teachers how to use their tools and what children require in the aftermath of major natural disasters.
Many children continue to experience emotional trauma despite their efforts. Psychologists found that one third of Maria's victims had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Puerto Rican Department of Health claims that the effects of Hurricane Maria caused a spike in suicides among Puerto Rican teens. According to statistics by the department, the percentage of suicides committed by children following the hurricane was almost 30% higher than in 2016.
It's hard to pin down the cause of teenage suicides. But, a new report from both the National Institutes of Health as well as the University of Pennsylvania shows that they are largely connected to climate change.
"We know many of these kids feel lonely and they feel isolated," stated Dr. Tricia Watendorf, a University of Delaware sociology professor who studies disaster response.
However, Maria's impact has also inspired a new generation to focus on politics and activism. They are trying to raise awareness of the problems their country faces on ground - debt, outdated infrastructure, and a recent financial crisis as well as ongoing challenges such as hurricanes that can drag people down.
FAQ
How do I pick the right knife?
It is not easy to choose the right knife for you. There are so numerous brands out there that claim they are the best.
But which one is truly the best? How can you choose between them?
Consider first what tasks you are going to be performing with your knife.
Do you intend to cut wood, skin animals, chop vegetables, or slice bread?
Is the knife meant for hunting or fishing? Are you going to use it for camping cooking?
Will you be using it to open cans or bottles? Do you plan to open boxes or packages?
Are you able to carry heavy loads with your knife?
What about cleaning it after every use? How often are you going to wash it?
Does it need to retain its edge well over time.
What are the essential survival skills?
Basic survival skills include how to make shelter, fire, shelter, hunt, fish, and protect yourself. These skills are vital no matter where you live. However, they are even more important when you travel alone or in remote locations.
Survival skills include navigation, self defense, self-defense as well wilderness medicine. They are crucial life-saving and must be understood before venturing in the unknown.
While you may not have the time or resources to learn these skills, there are many other useful skills that could be of benefit. For instance, if your plans include hiking through the mountains, then you will need to know some mountaineering methods. If you want camping in the desert, you will need to know how to survive in extreme temperature. There are many different ways to prepare yourself for any situation.
Which is the most critical item for survival
Food is essential for survival. You also need shelter from the elements, which are not as essential as food. If you don't eat, you won't live very long.
What are the essential survival skills you need?
Even though you might not have immediate access to water and food, it is possible to survive if you are prepared.
You need to learn how to care for others and yourself. You will not be able to handle a crisis if you don’t know how.
You need to learn how build shelters, fires, and make food for those who venture into the wilderness.
These are essential skills everyone should learn. These skills will allow you to be safe and healthy on your camping trip.
What is the most crucial survival tool for you if you're lost?
The compass tells us which way north is. It also shows us the distance we have traveled since our origin point. If you're traveling somewhere with mountains, the compass may not always show you where you need to go. If you are in flat terrain, the GPS will often show you where to go.
You could also use a rock or a tree as a reference point if you don't own a compass. Although you would still need to locate a landmark to guide yourself, at least you would know where north is.
How to Navigate with or Without a Compass
Although it doesn't give you a map of where you are heading, a compass can help you navigate back home if your bearings have been lost.
There are three methods you can use to navigate.
-
By landmarks
-
By magnetic North (using an compass).
-
By stars
These are objects you recognize immediately when you come across them. They are trees, buildings or rivers. Landmarks can be useful because they are a visual indicator of where you're at.
Magnetic North is simply the direction in which the Earth's magnetic field points. The sun appears to be moving across sky if you look up. The earth's magnetic field actually causes sun to move around. Even though it seems like the sun is moving across a skyline, it actually moves around horizons. At noon, the sun is directly overhead. At midnight, the sun will be directly below you. The magnetic field of the earth is constantly changing. This means that the exact direction and orientation of the North pole magnetically changes each day. This means you might be off the course by quite a bit during a single day.
Another method of navigating is using stars. Stars rise and set above the horizon. These are points in space you can use to find your exact location relative to other locations.
What is the difference of a folding and fixed-blade knife, you ask?
Folding knives can be folded compactly so they fit in a backpack or pocket. When not in usage, the blade folds down.
Fixed-blade knives are meant to stay fixed in normal use. They have longer blades than those of folding knives.
Fixed-blade knives are more durable but less portable.
Statistics
- The downside to this type of shelter is that it does not generally offer 360 degrees of protection and unless you are diligent in your build or have some kind of tarp or trash bags, it will likely not be very resistant to water. (hiconsumption.com)
- Without one, your head and neck can radiate up to 40 percent of your body heat. (dec.ny.gov)
- Not only does it kill up to 99.9% of all waterborne bacteria and parasites, but it will filter up to 1,000 liters of water without the use of chemicals. (hiconsumption.com)
- The Dyrt PRO gives 40% campground discounts across the country (thedyrt.com)
External Links
How To
How to Make Shelters Out of Natural Materials in Emergencies
When faced with emergency situations, shelter building is an essential skill. There are two types: permanent shelter (tent) or temporary shelter (house). Both require basic tools such as nails, hammers, saws, axes, shovels, and picks; however, they differ in the type of material used. Temporary shelters are usually made of sticks, leaves, grasses, etc., while permanent ones use wood, metal, concrete, brick, stone, etc. The best option depends on the situation, climate, and availability of resources.
Natural materials include bamboo, reeds (or palm fronds), bark, grasses and branches, as well as natural materials such a bamboo, reeds, vines and twigs. These materials have been used to create temporary shelters for hundreds of years. These shelters are lightweight and easy to build, but they lack durability. They offer protection against insects and extreme weather. Permanent structures offer better insulation and are stronger. They also last longer. It is also more difficult to build.
These shelters should not only be practical but also aesthetic and cost-effective. Bamboo is great due to its lightness and strength, but it does require skilled labor and can be quite expensive. Although reeds are inexpensive, they do not withstand strong winds. Palm fronds are strong but easily torn and fragile. Bark can be used to provide insulation and fire resistance, but it is not easy to work with. Grasses are affordable but don't keep out rainwater. Vines are lightweight and flexible but may break if too tightly tied together. Branch are strong and long-lasting, but they are susceptible to rot. Stone is heavy and expensive, but it's hard and resists water damage. Concrete is strong but can be difficult to transport and set up. The brick is sturdy but requires lots of space and is heavy. Wood lasts long but needs maintenance and care. Metal requires power tools and is expensive.
The decision about the material you choose depends on many factors. These include the site location, budget, skill level and local regulations. Bamboo, for example, is very popular in tropical regions where it grows naturally. Bamboo is easy to grow, low in cost, and doesn't require any special tools. It can withstand strong winds but is weak and weak when wet. The grass is strong and durable but requires a lot of manpower to erect. The palms are strong and durable, but they can get messy quickly. The bark can be cut easily and is lightweight so it is affordable. It resists moisture and dust but is susceptible to cracking and breaking. Stones can withstand extreme weather conditions and are durable and strong. Concrete is durable and versatile but is heavy and requires power tools. Metal is strong and requires many power tools. Wood is long-lasting and inexpensive. Steel is also durable but more costly.