WB-UN report urges greater investment in early warning systems
Natural Hazards, UnNatural Disasters: The Economics of Effective Prevention, targeted directly at the world`s finance ministers, outlined a number of measures to prevent death and destruction from earthquakes, hurricanes, and flooding. It called for more spending is on early warning systems, particularly weather forecasting.
"Warning people of impending hazards saves lives and livelihoods," commented WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud. "The report clearly shows that more can be done to take full advantage of many technological advances in predicting weather through investing in hydro-meteorological services.”
The report says that there were 3.3 million deaths from natural hazards in the 40 years to 2010. Almost one million people died in Africa`s droughts alone. Property damage between 1970 and 2008 totaled US$ 2,300 billion, with earthquakes and droughts causing most of the losses.
"This report presents necessary evidence and a compelling case for our client countries to reduce their vulnerability to natural hazards so that they can develop in sustainable and cost-effective way," said World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick.
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