Dealing with natural disasters

What is meant by ‘There is nothing natural about disaster’?

• Hazards are natural.

• Disasters result from vulnerability, which depends on exposure, preparedness and resilience.

Haiti vs Chile 2010 - what does it show?

Haiti - 150,000 deaths

Chile - 700 deaths

Development and building codes mattered more.

Why is prevention better than response?

• Saves more lives.

• Cheaper long term.

• Builds resilience.

• Reduces future vulnerability.

What evidence shows that natural disasters are becoming a greater global challenge?

Number of disasters has doubled in the last 30 years.

Economic losses have tripled to around $1.2 trillion.

How is urbanisation increasing vulnerability to natural hazards?

By 2050, 2.6 billion more people will live in cities.

Most growth is in South Asia and Africa, so more people exposed to floods and cyclones.

Why is disaster risk reduction more effective than relying on disaster response?

Reduces vulnerability before hazards occur.

Builds long-term resilience, saving lives and reducing economic losses.

What evidence suggests that more investment should be made in disaster prevention?

Between 1980 - 2009, $90 billion was spent on disaster aid.

Only 3.6% ($3.25 billion) went towards prevention.

How does the St Lucia case study demonstrate the benefits of prevention?

World Bank funded hillside drainage (2008).

Reduced landslide damage, every $1 invested saved $3 in future recovery costs.

How can technology reduce vulnerability to natural hazards?

• Satellites monitor hazards.

• Early warning systems improve evacuation.

• Hazard mapping identifies high-risk areas.

Why is community resilience important in reducing disaster impacts?

• Strong social networks speed up recovery.

• Communities support vulnerable people.

• Social capital is a key determinant of resilience.

Why is climate change expected to increase disaster risk in the future?

• Increases intensity of some hazards.

• More people exposed due to urbanisation.

• Greater need for both mitigation and adaptation.