United Nations official warns of increasing disaster risks in Asia Pacific region

Disasters Threaten Economic Progress in Asia Pacific, U.N. Official Warns

Disasters, including more intense storms, are posing a growing threat to people in the Asia Pacific region and could hinder economic development if governments do not prioritize disaster mitigation and prevention efforts, a U.N. official cautioned on Tuesday.

U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Kamal Kishore, who leads the U.N. Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, issued the warning at the opening of a regional conference on disaster mitigation held in the Philippines, a country known for its vulnerability to natural calamities.

“Disasters are impacting a record number of individuals, endangering their lives and livelihoods,” Kishore stated to delegates attending the conference. He emphasized the importance of investing in disaster risk reduction to avoid setbacks in the region’s progress.

Kishore urged countries in the Asia Pacific to allocate funds in their national budgets for disaster risk reduction and to allocate a larger share of foreign aid towards prevention rather than just response. He highlighted the positive impact of such investments in reducing mortality rates.

The discussions at the conference focused on enhancing disaster-warning systems, technology sharing, and constructing more resilient infrastructure to withstand disasters. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines emphasized the country’s vulnerability to typhoons, storms, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes, exacerbated by climate change.

European Union Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic stressed the importance of international cooperation in facing the increasing frequency and intensity of weather-related disasters. The EU has provided significant funding to support disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts in the Asia Pacific region.

Lenarcic emphasized the need for wealthier nations to contribute more to disaster resilience efforts and expressed interest in learning from the experiences of countries in the region. He underscored the importance of collaboration in addressing disasters that transcend borders.

The conference highlighted the urgent need for proactive measures to build resilience and mitigate the impact of disasters in the Asia Pacific region. The call for increased investment in disaster risk reduction reflects a growing recognition of the importance of preparedness in safeguarding lives and livelihoods in the face of escalating natural hazards.