1. 1 Pacific Disaster Center 590 Lipoa Parkway, Suite 259 Kihei, Maui, Hawaii 96753 http://www.pdc.org - Contact@pdc.org 1-808-891-0525 - 1-808-891-0526 (Fax) Natural Disasters in the Asia-Pacific Region: Trends and Prospects International Seminar on Disaster Management: Emerging Challenges for the Armed Forces New Delhi, India December 6, 2005 Craig Chellis

2. 2 Asia- Pacific Region Has High Risk About 40% of all major natural hazards About 60% of all deaths Natural Hazards –Typhoons/Cyclones –Storm Surge –Flooding –Earthquakes –Tsunamis –Landslides –Volcanoes –Heat/cold waves –Drought

3. 3 Human Induced/Technological Disasters –Terrorism –CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Nuclear, Radiological,) –Oil/chemical spills –Fires –Transportation Biological Hazards –HIV/AIDS –Vector Borne Infectious Diseases (Influenza, Yellow, Dengue, West Nile, and Lassa Fevers) –Hepatitis –Cholera –Diphtheria Disaster Threats in the Asia - Pacific Region

4. 4 Emerging Epidemics (?) –Avian Influenza –Ebola –Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome –Mad Cow Disease –West Nile Fever Re-occurring Epidemics (?) –Polio –Small Pox (?) Disaster Threats in the A- P Region (Cont.)

5. 5 Lives and Property –Catastrophic Damage –Loss of Life –Population Displacement Disruption of Social/Economic Processes –Food Production –Communications –Transportation Introduction of Health and Economic “Stressors” –Associated Diseases –Disruption/Stress of Health/Social Services –Economic/Governance Stability Effects Are Local and Regional

6. 6 Global Economic Losses Increasing

7. 7 Economic Losses Highest in the A-P Region Over 50% of Global Total in Asia

8. 8 Severe Weather the Main Global Threat

9. 9 Asia Leads in Weather- related Disasters

10. 10 Disaster Deaths Highest in the A-P Region

11. 11 Risk Is Increasing in the Region Asia-Pacific Region is Rapidly Changing –Population Growth –Economic Importance –Cultural/Political Impacts Pace of Development and Inability to Withstand Major Disasters are Leading to Increased Risk –Rapid, Poorly Planned Development –Marginal Support Infrastructure Regional Development and Natural/Technogenic Threats = Increased Number of Human Disasters

12. 12 Who is most affected? Of 2,557 natural disasters reported over the last ten years, Two-thirds of those killed came from countries of low human development (LHD) Just 2 per cent came from highly developed nations. On average, 22.5 people die per reported disaster in highly developed nations, while each disaster in LHD countries claims an average of 1,052 people. By comparing the totals of reported killed with the total number of disasters, the relationship between development and disasters impacts becomes stark.

13. 13 Global Natural “Ultra Disasters” Contrast the “Great Sumatra” Earthquake and Tsunami”… Over 250,000 killed Damage estimated at US$16B …With the recent “Katrina” Hurricane Cyclone that resulted in: Approximately 2,000 dead Damage estimated at US$40B Commonality: Disproportional Impact on the Poor Bearing the Brunt…

14. 14 Meeting the Challenges Become proactive not reactive –Anticipate Hazards –Manage Risk, Understand Vulnerability and Social/Economic Impacts of Hazards down to the Community Level –Prepare, and Adopt Mitigation Measures to Reduce Losses of Life and Property and Accompanying Disruption –Build Resilience to Hazards into the Process of ALL Decision-Makers Create Partnerships Among Government, Military, Academia, Industry, and the Public ( Local, National and International) Enhance Information and Communications Infrastructure

15. 15 Resources & Possibilities Increased Access To Data & Information –Remote Sensing –In-Situ, Accessible Networks –Portable Collection & Viewing Resources Knowledge & Situational Awareness –Information Addressing Complex Issues Risk & Vulnerability Assessment Land Use/Community Planning Emergency Management Health –Knowledge-based Planning Preparedness, Mitigation and Recovery, not just response Linked to Sustainable Development Meeting the Information Challenges

16. 16 Thank You Questions? Craig Chellis cchellis@pdc.org 808-891-7941