Disasters

Disasters are increasing, partly because of climate change, partly because of increased population in vulnerable and dangerous areas. There was a time when we did not know where disasters would occur. But today we know which countries are most disaster-prone, and which communities are most vulnerable.

Rich countries, like the UK, invest millions of pounds into reducing the risks associated with floods, earthquakes and droughts. However, despite strong evidence that preparing for disaster is cost-effective, we still spend very little of our international aid budgets on helping poor communities to do the same.

For example, three months before the Mozambique floods of 2000, its government appealed to the international community for US$2.7 million to prepare for the impending crisis. It received less than half this amount. After the floods hit, more than US$100 million of emergency aid was sent in by the international community. At a subsequent conference, a further US$450 million was pledged for rehabilitation costs.

Tearfund believes that thousands of lives could be saved each year in developing countries and millions of pounds made to go further, if more emphasis was placed by governments, local authorities and relief and development agencies on helping vulnerable communities reduce disaster risks.

Find out more by reading Tearfund's report Learn the Lessons (PDF, 630K).