Natural disasters

Globally, disasters due to natural hazards takes an enormous toll in terms of human lives, destruction to crops and livelihoods, and economic losses. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) has therefore become a critical part of sustainable development strategies. Over the past decades, the role of healthy ecosystems in providing cheap, reliable protection against natural hazards has been increasingly recognized.

Globally, disasters due to natural hazards takes an enormous toll in terms of human lives, destruction to crops and livelihoods, and economic losses. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) has therefore become a critical part of sustainable development strategies. Over the past decades, the role of healthy ecosystems in providing cheap, reliable protection against natural hazards has been increasingly recognized.

The 2010 Asia-Pacific Disaster Report (APDR) is the first biennial report of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction for Asia and the Pacific (UNISDR AP) office. The report is produced in response to the recommendations of the first session of the ESCAP Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Bangkok, 25-27 March 2009, following a proposal made by the Executive Secretary of ESCAP.

Überschwemmungen wie die Elbeflut im August 2002 führen uns immer wieder auf dramatische Weise die Notwendigkeit der Hochwasservorsorge vor Augen. Klimawandel und die Ausweitung der Siedlungs- und Verkehrsflächen verschärfen dabei das Risiko von Schäden auch durch kleinere und lokale Ereignisse.