So. Emerald. What can Google, Wikipedia and the Red Cross situation reports tell me about my destination? Emerald is a fairly large country town of around 11,000 people, that was established in 1879 as a base for the building of Queensland’s western railway. The town is named after 'Emerald Downs Hill', and not an emerald mine. … Continue reading the emerald city
disasters
Queensland floods – day nine
Another early start - a meeting with Shanna, our Red Cross Commander, over breakfast. It's the only time we can find for me to feed back some of my observations in my monitoring and evaluation role. Back at the EOC, things are buzzing. After such a busy day yesterday, the tension is imperceptibly higher. Lots to do, … Continue reading Queensland floods – day nine
another working day
Red Cross State Emergency Operations Centre - day nine It is a long working day in the Red Cross State Emergency Operations Centre in Milton, on the outskirts of Brisbane. With over 140 people deployed all over Queensland, it is a full-time job every day for about 27 people just to keep the Red Cross … Continue reading another working day
and it begins
Adelaide, November. I arrive in the middle of the most severe November heatwave since records began. It’s not that hot when I arrive: only in the mid-thirties. I move between a severely air-conditioned office and a severely air-conditioned hotel room, hardly noticing the relentless heat. A small army of volunteers in the meeting room below … Continue reading and it begins
Máiréad Doyle 