Climate change and the inadequate implementation of disaster prevention measures is leading to lasting poverty and despair for people
which can be avoided, notes the "World Disasters Report 2009, Focus on Early Warning, Early Action" launched in Dublin today (16 June) by the Irish Red Cross. The World Disasters
Report is an annual publication produced by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Each year the Report takes an in-depth look at specific aspects of disasters, with
this year's Report focussing on the need for developing an "Early Warning, Early Action" approach that would protect people from disasters."This Report is a major step
forward in developing a comprehensive understanding and workable set of solutions for the growing challenge of disasters," stated the Chairman of the Irish Red Cross, Mr David AndrewsNoting that last year (2008) was the second deadliest in terms of disaster after the major Indian Ocean tsunami four years ago, Mr Andrews said that with the right kind of support many communities
could avoid the vast numbers of deaths that often result from disasters.And, the Report also highlights the high financial costs of disasters, with evidence indicating that it costs four
times as much to deal with disasters after they happen, than to put the measures in place to protect people and property beforehand.The Report emphasises the catastrophic impact of the
changing climate on many countries and especially those in Africa and elsewhere where people are already poor and living on marginal incomes. However, it also points out the need for disaster
preparation closer to home, noting, for example, that in the Mediterranean there is currently no tsunami early-warning alert system even though this region, with 140 million people living along its
coastline, is considered more vulnerable to a tsunami than the Indian Ocean which produced the major tsunami of December 2004.Welcoming the publication of the World Disasters Report, the
Minister for State for Overseas Development, Mr. Peter Power TD said that it provided humanitarian agencies and governments with an insight into the major contribution which climate change makes to
local, regional and global disasters as well as the enormous benefits of early warning and prevention systems."I would like to highlight four issues arising from this excellent report:
First the focus on investing resources at the local level to build disaster-resilient communities. This is vitally important in the context of increasing vulnerability, where the poorest are
disproportionately affected by disasters. Secondly, the report illustrates that climate change poses increased challenges. We can no longer assume that a flood will only occur once in 50 years.
Climate change is therefore forcing us to focus more urgently on prevention rather than response. Ireland's support, through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, for
the strengthening of national societies and disaster preparedness in West and Central Africa is a case in point. It shows that our support is having a real impact on the lives of vulnerable people
across the region."Thirdly, I would also like to highlight the subject of food insecurity and hunger which is addressed in the report. This is an issue close to my heart. As you well
know the eradication of hunger is a cornerstone of the Irish Aid programme. Central to this work is as focus on tackling the underlying causes of food insecurity."Finally, I was
particularly taken by the statement that donors "can no longer afford to provide funding for disasters primarily after the fact…" I would agree: such costs are high and rising and
indeed negating development investment."The World Disasters Report published every year since 1993, by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, is
co-funded by Irish Aid and the Irish Red Cross, among others.Leading disaster expert, Mr Peter Rees-Gildea of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies who
addressed the launch in Dublin, said the current economic crisis coupled with climate change meant preventive actions are needed now more than ever."Forecasts of a decline in global
GDP for the first time since the Second World War and corresponding evidence of a changing climate will contribute to growing numbers of people living in desperate circumstances," commented Peter
Rees-Gildea.He noted that last year, weather-related emergencies – floods, storms, heatwaves and droughts –absorbed well over half (60 per cent) of the global budget of the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to deal with emergencies. Through its special Climate Change Centre, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies aims to inform donors about disasters so that funds will be made available for preparing contingency plans and updating emergency stocks in strategic locations.The Report
documents the positive results seen in some communities which have been helped to take very real and practical measures to counter possible disasters and notes that such success is based on engagement
with the communities at risk and application of systems that are technologically and culturally relevant.
Notes to Editor
Spokespeople available for interview. Contact: Aoife Mac
Eoin: 087 – 998 3788
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin makes an address at a public forum as part of the Sustainable Globalisation summit in Sydney June 11, 2009. Mayor Nagin spoke of many of ...
