Geneva, Oct 3: The UN Central Emergency Response Fund has announced that it would allocate $15 million to help the victims, especially women and girls, of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that rocked Indonesia's Sulawesi island last week.

The twin disasters claimed over 1,400 lives, caused widespread damage by destroying homes, buildings and infrastructure. According to Indonesian officials, an estimated 2.4 million people were affected by the tragedy.

The number of dead was expected to rise amid ongoing rescue operations.

UN Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock said that the funds would meet the most urgent needs of women and girls because "we know from experience round the world (they) are often particularly vulnerable in circumstances like this", Efe news reported.

The earthquake and tsunami also severely damaged primary health care centres and hospitals.

Lowcock added that the UN sent its staff to the devastated areas to help the government identify priorities in logistics, potable water supply, basic sanitation, medical care, coordination and management of camps for the displaced.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Mangaluru: An international workshop on clinical neuroimmunology will be held in Mangaluru on March 7 and 8 at Avishkar Hall of KS Hegde Hospital, ABSMIDS.

The two-day academic programme is being organised by the Centre for Advanced Neurological Research of Nitte (Deemed to be University). The event is expected to bring together neurologists, clinicians and researchers from India and several other countries.

According to the organisers, the workshop aims to improve the diagnostic skills of practising neurologists through exposure to advanced imaging methods, visual diagnostic tools and biomarker analysis used in the diagnosis of neuroimmunological disorders.

The programme will feature hands-on training sessions and demonstration-based learning. Activities will include live Optical Coherence Tomography workshops, video-assisted demonstrations and interactive discussions with experts from Canada, the United States, South Asia and the UAE.

The workshop is being conducted under the leadership of Dr. Lekha Pandit, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Centre for Advanced Neurological Research at KS Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte (Deemed to be University), who is serving as the course director for the programme.


Dr. Asha Kishore, Director of the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Centre at Aster Medicity, Kochi, will inaugurate the workshop as the chief guest. The inaugural function will be presided over by Prof. M. S. Moodithaya, Vice-Chancellor of Nitte (Deemed to be University).

Registrar Dr. Harsha Halahalli and Dr. Sandeep Rai, Dean of KS Hegde Medical Academy, will also be present at the inaugural ceremony.