A Red Cross report has found natural disasters affected more than two billion people around the world over the past decade. Australia and the greater Asia-Pacific was the most disaster-prone region in the world last year, according to the latest report.
The Red Cross found the region suffered through two-fifths of the 335 cyclones, floods, bushfires and earthquakes recorded worldwide. Over the last year, almost 10,000 people were killed by natural disasters while global economies were impacted by $472 billion
Deputy head of the International Red Cross Dr Jemilah Mahmood said
“Floods, cyclones, typhoons, they are more and more visible and happening more in the Asia-Pacific region, coupled with the fact that this is a growing region, there are more and more people living in and moving to urban settings.”
Bushfires were cited as an increasing threat to Australia.
The Red Cross report also stressed the need to rethink how countries prepare for, and respond to, disasters. Dr Mahmood said that’s particularly the case when it comes to funding.
The report argued there also needs to be a greater investment in data, so it can be used to help those hardest to reach.
The World Disasters Report is produced by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). It includes comprehensive disaster data and analysis of disaster management. Learn more about the report at ifrc.org/wdr18.
Picture for illustration purposes.
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