04 August 2010, Russia

The hottest July in Russia since 130 years caused a period of drought.In the southern Voronezh on Monday 44 degrees were measured. Trees and peat marshes dried out and caught fire recently.The wild fires spread out very fast.Houses, fields and forests are burning.Daily new wild fires are reported.
Dmitry Medvedev has declared in seven regions of the country state of emergency. Medvedev signed a decree giving the local authorities in combating the disaster, more powers.Moreover, Medvedev ordered the closure of forest areas for "unauthorized". This gives priority access to the affected regions to emergency personnel .  The Kremlin head ordered other soldiers to the affected forests. About 2000 soldiers and 240,000 civilian rescue teams were deployed.Medvedev urged the government to improve the fire fighting measures and to provide assistance for reconstruction.

The fires raging are the worst natural disaster in Russia for decades. Total burn on an area of 1,200 square kilometers, 700 fires. Until now officially deathtoll 36 people. Hundreds were injured, thousands were left homeless. Entire villages with traditional wooden houses burned down.

President Vladimir Putin and Sergei Shoigu, Minister for Disaster Managment, visited the village Verkhnyaya Vereya, one of the hardest hit places in the region of Nizhny Novgorod. In the region east of the Russian killed nine people died. In the village of Verkhnyaya Vereya the fire had destroyed within 20 minutes, all 340 houses, with more than 500 people losing all their belongings.

The Crisis Has Not Yet Been Beaten - Latest Report: 16 August 2010

Further Information:

Reuters

CNN

MSNBC

What I can do?

1. Step 1

   Find a donation location. -Find out what social service facility or facilities are being used as a staging area for donated goods. Find out what times items can be dropped off, and if you live nearby find out if they need help sorting donations.

2. Step 2
   
   
    
   Donate toothbrushes

   Think practical - When you've lost EVERYTHING, you need everything. Start with basics such as personal hygiene products: hair brush, toothbrushes in adult and kid sizes. Shampoo in smaller containers (storage space may be a problem so go with smaller sizes immediately following a disaster.) Think about all the things in your bathroom and know that the victims have none of those essentials.

3. Step 3
   
   
    
   Donate clothing

   Donate clothing - Again be practical, donate clothing appropriate for the season. Don't unload last year's summer clothing when the victims are facing a cold winter. Think immediate need.

4. Step 4
   
   
    
   Donate canned food

   Donate non-perishable foods. - Canned goods, along with kitchen basics are very much welcome. Think ease of preparation when choosing which foods to donate. If you're not local to the area where the disaster has struck, send grocery store or restaurant gift cards. Be sure to send such items to reputable organizations so your help gets to the people who need it.

5. Step 5
   
   
    
   Donate money

   Give money - When donating money to a large organization such as the Red Cross, be sure to designate where the money should go. You can donate online with the Red Cross or other disaster relief organizations.

6. Step 6
   
   
    
   Donate boxes

   Give boxes. - Donation centers always are short of boxes to hold donated items to be given to families in need. Any that you can scrounge up are greatly appreciated.

7. Step 7
   
   
    
   Donate toys

   Consider upcoming holidays - If the holidays are just around the corner, small new toys for children would help to make the season a tiny bit brighter.

8. Step 8

   Walk through your home - Look at all the objects, practical and sentimental that make up your life. Contemplate what has been lost by fire victims; make your donation choices accordingly. You cannot bring back what they have lost, but you can aid in giving them hope and the desire to rebuild.