Feature

From difficult accessibility to the permanent hazard of insecurity, every day represents a struggle for survival in this small neighborhood. But in the face of adversity, the community does not give up.

Estimates of the cost of disasters paint a partial picture of their true toll, in terms of human lives and economic, developmental and social impacts.

The Caribbean private sector has also invested in these disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts. During and after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in 2017, businesses in the region grew more conscious of the risks posed by multiple hazards.

Trust is critical to effective risk communication. Where communities feel they are not receiving or able to understand or trust the warnings being disseminated, they are less likely to take action in the face of a hazard.

Thanks to anticipatory action and investment in early warning efforts by the Government of Mozambique with support of the United Nations, the number of deaths and people displaced by Cyclone Freddy is lower than in past comparable cyclones.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) has been working to support various organizations across the Caribbean to incorporate multiple hazards into their understanding of EWS.

To implement DRR policies and plans, all stakeholders need to be engaged, at every stage. Those most at risk are often disadvantaged through lack of access to resources, power, and influence – like persons with disabilities, local communities, and women.

While heatwaves and hot weather do not cause significant damage to the landscape similar to cyclones and earthquakes, the impacts of heatwaves on health, economic productivity, and the environment can nonetheless be serious and costly.

The CREWS Caribbean initiative’s purpose is to support Caribbean countries in their efforts to increase their weather and climate services and to generate and communicate effective, impact-based and gender-responsive MHEWS and risk information.

Central Asian city representatives discussed disaster risk management and preparedness with Greater Manchester authorities, including lessons learnt from dealing with emergencies experienced by the British city such as severe winter weather and floods.