Increasing Vulnerabilities and Implications on
Humanitarian Response
Context
2011
With a global loss of USD 380 billion, the
year 2011 has been the costliest ever in
terms of natural disasters
Floods in Thailand
Great Eastern Japan Earthquake
Total damage and losses amounted to THB 1.43 trillion
(USD 46.5 Billion)
Estimated costs of USD 235 bilion (World Bank)
NatCatSERVICE
Natural Catastrophes 2012
World map
Winter Storm Andrea
Europe, 5–6 January
Severe storms
USA, 28–29 April
Hailstorms, severe storms
Canada, 12–14 August
Drought
USA, summer
Severe storms,
tornadoes
USA, 2–4 March
Earthquake
Mexico, 20 March
Floods
Columbia, March – June
Cold wave
Eastern Europe, Jan – Feb
Floods
United Kingdom,
21–27 November
Cold wave
Afghanistan, Jan – March
Floods
Flash floods
China, 21–24 July
Russia, 6–8 July
Severe storms
USA, 28 June –2 July
Hurricane Sandy
USA, Caribbean
24–31 October
Hurricane Isaac
USA, Caribbean
24–31 August
Earthquakes
Italy,
20/29 May
Typhoon Haikui
China,
8–9 August
Earthquake
Iran, 11 August
Floods
Nigeria, July – Oct
Floods
Pakistan, 3 –27 September
Typhoon Bopha
Philippines,
4–5 December
Floods, flash floods
Australia, Jan – Feb
Number of events: 905
Natural catastrophes
Selection of significant
Natural catastrophes
Floods, hailstorms
South Africa, 20 –21 October
Geophysical events
(earthquake, tsunami, volcanic activity)
Meteorological events
(storm)
© 2013 Münchener Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft, Geo Risks Research, NatCatSERVICE – As at January 2013
Floods, flash floods
Australia, Feb – March
Hydrological events
(flood, mass movement)
Climatological events
(extreme temperature, drought, wildfire)
2013 Natural disasters become more and
more unpredictable and severe
Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013
Flash Floods in India 2013
India; 2013
The Himalayan Tsunami
( Flash Floods of unprecedented nature)
Probably the
hardest rescue
operations India
have ever taken
2013 : The Tale of Two Disasters
Cyclone Phailin
Typhoon Haiyan
Typhoon Haiyan
Typhoon Haiyan
Typhoon Haiyan
Typhoon Haiyan
Typhoon Haiyan
Typhoon Haiyan
the Millennium Development Goals
Every major disaster tells only one story:
…more people in the region are getting
exposed to hazards…
Human exposure to tropical cyclone is
increasing for most sub-regions
Many urban locations are in high risk areas…
Of the 305 urban agglomerations, 119 are
situated along coastlines
…and losses are bigger in high & upper-middle
income countries.
Development was unable to reduce risks, and
Who pays for disaster losses?
Often in developing countries the poorest pay the most when disasters
strike.
The Wake Up Call
Most Disasters that could occur
have not happen yet
Implications on Humanatariam
Response
More
Humanitarian
Aid
Humanitarian
actors under
strain
Capacity gaps and
coordination
challenges
Identifying and integrating innovations in
Humanitarian response
• Communication with affected populations
• Information management
• Evidence-based decision making
• Needs and impact assessment
• Risk reduction and preparedness