Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2019: ASEAN needs to bolster risk-informed investments to reduce the burden of natural disasters

On September 3, 2018, Super Typhoon Mangkhut slammed into the Philippines, affecting at least 300,000 families. In Pampanga province alone, there were over 1,000 displaced people.

In the aftermath of the storm, one survivor’s words exemplified the destructive power natural disasters can have on a community, its people, and their way of life:

“We are lucky to be alive, but without knowing if we can ever return back home, or if we can generate an income moving forward, what is next for us? We have lived here since 1997, so this community and village is our home. But after this typhoon, we do not know what is next.”…

HURRICANE DORIAN REMINDER/Aliki Moncreif: Not all have protection from natural disasters

The shelves in Publix are stocked with water, batteries, canned goods, and flashlights — it can only mean one thing: another hurricane season in Florida is in full swing. According to climate experts, Floridians should prepare for another above-average active season. Scientists expect the severity and strength of storms to increase as a direct result of climate change.

Yet, for every family stocking up on their emergency hurricane gear, there is another family without the means to buy food for their families that night — let alone to save for a rainy day. Many Floridians lack reliable transportation to sit in traffic for hours on end to get them out of the path of the storm. And not everyone can afford to buy a $1,000 generator and fuel if they must stay home. Unfortunately, the state seems to cater hurricane preparedness efforts to the families that can — leaving too many Floridians without protection….