In 1974, the flooding Brisbane River of Queensland, Australia, peaked at 5.4 metres. It has been etched in local memory as the worst inundation the city and surrounding areas faced in the 20th century. Although the Brisbane River peaked just below the 1974 level on 13 January 2011, the damage has been far more targic and it is now the new point of reference for flood devastation.

Flooding triggered by exceptionally heavy monsoon rains has claimed the lives of more than 1,500 people in Pakistan during the last three weeks. A country already deeply troubled by ongoing violence and political unrest, Pakistan must now deal with the anguish of up to 20 million people affected by high waters that have washed away crops and destroyed entire villages. More than 4 million people are without homes and up to 3.5 million children are living under the constant threat of water-borne illnesses.

With its ancient origins in Peru’s central highlands, Quechua civilisation has an extraordinary cultural heritage. Unfortunately, a growing influx of tourism through Peru’s legendary Sacred Valley has left local indigenous villages fighting to preserve their way of life. Thankfully, an innovative local organisation aims to safeguard Andean mores through education.

On 8 February, the body of Chrystel Cancel was positively identified, nearly a month after the devastating earthquakes in Haiti levelled the Hotel Montana on top of her. She had only had just arrived in Port-au-Prince. We pay tribute to her here because she was a trusted part of our family. Chrystel Cancel grew up…