Natural disasters: East Asia Pacific - A region at risk

EAST ASIA PACIFÍC A REGION AT RISK East Asia Pacific is the most disaster-stricken region in the world. Many megacities are densely populatėd, with slums growing fast in high-risk areas. 61% of global losses from disasters was sustained by East Asia Pacific in the past 20 years. $259 1.6 billion people billion is the amount of economic losses from natural have been affected by disasters since 2000. disasters in the first 9 months of 2011 – the costliest year on record – which was 80% of. the global total. 40% of floods worldwide happened in East Asia Pacific between 1980-2011. DISASTERS HURT THE POOR When disaster strikes, the poor and vulnerable – women, children, the elderly and disabled – are hit hardest. Disasters can set back years of progress in poverty reduction and strain public funds. 70% of casualties were women in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in Banda Aceh. 18% 18%. or more O Debts Doubled A mega-disaster could cost Cambodia, Laos, and the Philippines 18% of total public funds. 2 years after Cyclone Nargis (2008), debts doubled for Myanmar's laborers and fishermen. 95% Losses from the 2007 earthquake and tsunami amounted to 95% of the Solomon Islands' national budget. BEING PREPARED SAVES MONEY Investing in disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness makes good economic sense. The right balance of structural measures (like strengthening buildings) and non-structural measures (such as awareness building campaigns) is key. %24 Preparedness For every $1 spent on preparedness, countries save $3-4 after disaster strikes. Meteorological Services In China, strengthening national meteorological services can deliver benefits worth between 35 to 40 times the cost of investment. Retrofitting An earthquake preparedness project in Istanbul found that 5-7 schools can be strengthened for the cost of one building - a cost effective solution in risk areas. Restoring Ecosystems * Protecting 12,000 hectares of mangroves in Vietnam cost $1.1 million, but reduced dike maintenance costs by $7.3 million per year - more cost effective than engineered solutions. Source: Strong, Safe, and Resilient: A Strategic Guide for Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific Learn more at www.worldbank.org/eap THE WORLD BANK XXXXXX