Disaster Risk Reduction

UN Photo/Pasqual Gorriz

Greek wildfire tragedy: world must ‘step up efforts’ against deadly fire risk, says UN disaster reduction chief

25 July 2018
Climate Change

Following the death of at least 80 people due to wildfires close to the Greek capital, Athens, in recent days, the top UN official for Disaster Risk Reduction expressed her condolences and called for more investment in wildfire suppression and prevention across the world.

UN Photo (file)

Thai cave boys spared thundershowers, highlighting extreme climate disruption: UN weather agency

10 July 2018
Climate Change

Thundershowers that have been forecast in northern Thailand luckily did not materialize, easing the extraordinary rescue of a boys’ football team and their coach, who spent well over two weeks trapped in a cave complex there, UN weather experts said on Tuesday.

ESCAP Photo

Disasters could cost Asia-Pacific region $160 billion per year by 2030, UN warns

24 April 2018
SDGs

Economic losses to disasters in Asia and the Pacific could exceed $160 billion annually by 2030, the United Nations development arm in the region warned on Tuesday, urging greater innovation in disaster risk financing.

U.S. Department of Defense

UN launches new global data collection tool to help reduce disaster, losses taking ‘a huge toll’

1 March 2018
Climate Change

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) kicked off on Thursday a historic new effort to collect comprehensive global data on disaster losses.

<a href=http://bit.ly/2y4DRdo>Ben Parker/IRIN</a>

UN Economic and Social Council urges ‘action now;’ long-term measures to tackle natural disasters

25 October 2017
SDGs

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on Wednesday called on UN Member States and the international community to ensure that in the wake of the recent devastating floods, hurricanes and earthquakes that impacted numerous countries, the humanitarian response is complemented by medium- and long-term recovery and reconstruction efforts.

UNICEF Nepal/2017/SJThapa

Disaster risk outpaces resilience in Asia-Pacific, warns UN regional commission

10 October 2017
Climate Change

Disaster risk is outpacing resilience in Asia-Pacific and putting people in this most disaster-prone region at risk of being pushed back into poverty, the latest report from a United Nations regional commission has revealed.

Robert Glasser, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and head of UNISDR.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

Disaster protection needn’t cost billions: UN expert

24 August 2017
General News

Natural disasters are a major brake on development but low-cost initiatives can counter the threat they pose.

That’s according to senior UN official Robert Glasser, head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).

Audio -
Jacinda Fairholm (left) and Virginia Clerveaux.
UN Photo/Matt Wells.

Women “more vulnerable” to disaster impact, with exceptions

22 April 2017
General News

Women continue to be “more vulnerable” to the impacts of disaster, but in some countries its men who are more of a concern.

Audio -
Carlos Kaiser speaking to Matthew Wells.
UN Radio

Support for the disabled facing disasters “still in a symbolic stage”

17 March 2017
General News

Support for people with disabilities around the world who are preparing for disasters is “still in a symbolic stage”.

Audio -
Donovan Stanberry of Jamaica's Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries.
UN News/M. Wells.

Drought a bigger problem than hurricanes for Caribbean farmers

15 March 2017
General News

Drought is a bigger, more “insidious” problem for vulnerable farmers in Jamaica and the Caribbean than the more headline-grabbing disasters such as hurricanes.

Audio -