According to a report issued on Tuesday by the German “Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft” alliance, which includes a group of relief organizations, and the “Institute for International Peace and Armed Conflict Law,” Somalia topped the list of countries most vulnerable to natural disasters in the Arab region, ranking 14th globally.
The report covers 193 UN member states, which were classified based on a set of sub-indicators related to the country’s exposure to natural disasters and its ability to respond to and deal with these disasters, and then divided them into five groups of countries with very low risks, which include Monaco, Andorra, Luxembourg, Belarus, Finland, Bahrain and Qatar, up to countries with very high risks, which were led by the Philippines, Indonesia, India and other countries.
At the Arab level, Somalia topped the list of countries most vulnerable to natural disasters in the Arab region, followed by Yemen, while Egypt topped the list of North African countries in this regard after coming in 26th place, followed by Libya, which came in 37th place, then Tunisia and Algeria, which came in 55th and 58th places respectively, then Mauritania, which the index ranked 62nd as the least vulnerable Maghreb country to natural disasters.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia topped the list of Gulf countries most vulnerable to these disasters, coming in 60th place globally, followed by the Sultanate of Oman, and the UAE in 92nd place and within the list of medium-risk countries, while Kuwait was classified within the list of low-risk countries, and Qatar and Bahrain were classified as countries with very low risks.
The current edition of the Global Risk Index report noted that disasters caused by natural events can lead to armed conflicts, especially in contexts that witness poverty, tyranny and weak state institutions, adding that crises and risks have become complex and fundamentally interconnected with the overlap of weather phenomena, conflicts and epidemics, and current global trends such as climate change, population growth and political conflicts are increasing their severity.
The same report recommended improving health systems and psychosocial support systems in crisis situations, expanding health infrastructure, and increasing investments in health systems that are able to withstand crises, while working to enhance adaptation and preparedness capacities for natural disasters, stressing the importance of reducing social disparities and designing social security systems to be flexible, adaptable and responsive to various crisis scenarios.
He also recommended expanding early warning systems and forecasting capabilities, especially in fragile contexts, and expanding the maintenance of infrastructure, such as roads, health centres and communication systems, to increase the ability to cope with severe weather events, stressing that the international community needs to work together more closely to exchange data and insights on disaster risks and their management through research and communication between experts.
Source: RT + “Hespress”
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2024-09-12 18:55:29
Natural disasters in the last 5 years
Table of Contents
Understanding Natural Disaster Risks: A Global Perspective
Natural disasters have become a growing concern globally, with devastating consequences for human lives, economies, and the environment. The recent report issued by the German “Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft” alliance and the “Institute for International Peace and Armed Conflict Law” highlights the vulnerability of countries to natural disasters, with Somalia ranking 14th globally and topping the list of countries most vulnerable to natural disasters in the Arab region.
The Global Risk Index Report
The report covers 193 UN member states, classifying them into five groups based on their exposure to natural disasters and their ability to respond to and deal with these disasters. The report notes that natural disasters can lead to armed conflicts, especially in contexts with poverty, tyranny, and weak state institutions. The intersection of weather phenomena, conflicts, and epidemics, combined with global trends such as climate change, population growth, and political conflicts, is increasing the severity of crises and risks.
Country Rankings
The report ranks countries based on their vulnerability to natural disasters, with the Philippines, Indonesia, and India leading the list of countries with very high risks. At the Arab level, Somalia is followed by Yemen, while Egypt tops the list of North African countries. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia leads the list of Gulf countries most vulnerable to these disasters, followed by the Sultanate of Oman and the UAE.
Recommendations for Mitigating Disaster Risks
The report recommends improving health systems and psychosocial support systems in crisis situations, expanding health infrastructure, and increasing investments in health systems that can withstand crises. It also stresses the importance of enhancing adaptation and preparedness capacities for natural disasters, reducing social disparities, and designing social security systems to be flexible, adaptable, and responsive to various crisis scenarios.
The Role of Early Warning Systems and Infrastructure
The report highlights the importance of expanding early warning systems and forecasting capabilities, especially in fragile contexts, and maintaining infrastructure such as roads, health centers, and communication systems to increase the ability to cope with severe weather events. International collaboration and data sharing are crucial for exchanging insights on disaster risks and their management through research and communication between experts.
Global Risk Indices
Other global risk indices, such as the WorldRiskIndex [[1]]and the INFORM Risk Index [[3]], also provide assessments of countries’ vulnerability to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. The WorldRiskIndex focuses on the latent risk of disasters due to extreme natural events and adverse impacts of climate change [[1]], while the INFORM Risk Index identifies countries at risk from humanitarian crises and disasters that could overwhelm national response capacity [[3]].
Conclusion
Natural disasters pose a significant threat to human lives and economies worldwide. Understanding the risks and vulnerabilities of countries to these disasters is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate and respond to them. The Global Risk Index Report and other risk indices provide valuable insights into the complexities of disaster risks and the need for international cooperation and collaboration to reduce the impact of these events.
References
[[1]]WorldRiskIndex. (n.d.). Retrieved from
[[2]]The WorldRiskReport 2023 – Disaster Risk and Diversity. (2023, September 20). Retrieved from
[[3]]INFORM Risk – Results and data. (n.d.). Retrieved from
World Risk Index
Disaster Risk Reduction: A Global Concern
Natural disasters have become a pressing concern worldwide, with countries from all regions vulnerable to the devastating effects of earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and other extreme natural events. According to the United Nations, the frequency and severity of these events are increasing, leading to significant loss of life, property, and infrastructure [1[1]. In this article, we will delve into the latest report on disaster risk reduction, highlighting the most vulnerable countries and the necessary measures to mitigate the risks.
The Global Risk Index Report
Recently, a report was issued by the German “Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft” alliance and the “Institute for International Peace and Armed Conflict Law”, ranking 193 UN member states based on their vulnerability to natural disasters [2[2]. The report covers various sub-indicators related to a country’s exposure to natural disasters and its ability to respond to and deal with these disasters.
Countries Most Vulnerable to Natural Disasters
Somalia tops the list of countries most vulnerable to natural disasters in the Arab region, ranking 14th globally [2[2]. Yemen follows closely, while Egypt ranks 26th globally. In North Africa, Libya ranks 37th, Tunisia 55th, and Algeria 58th. Mauritania is the least vulnerable Maghreb country to natural disasters, ranking 62nd. In the Gulf region, Saudi Arabia ranks 60th, followed by Oman and the UAE, which ranks 92nd.
Causes and Consequences of Natural Disasters
The report highlights the correlation between natural disasters and social disparities, emphasizing that disasters can lead to armed conflicts, especially in contexts with poverty, tyranny, and weak state institutions [3[3]. Climate change, population growth, and political conflicts are exacerbating the severity of these disasters.
Recommendations for Disaster Risk Reduction
The report underscores the importance of improving health systems, psychosocial support systems, and early warning systems in crisis situations [2[2]. It also recommends expanding health infrastructure, increasing investments in health systems that can withstand crises, and enhancing adaptation and preparedness capacities for natural disasters. Furthermore, the report stresses the need for reducing social disparities and designing social security systems that are flexible, adaptable, and responsive to various crisis scenarios.
International Cooperation and Collaboration
The report emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and collaboration to exchange data and insights on disaster risks and their management through research and communication between experts [2[2]. This includes expanding early warning systems and forecasting capabilities, especially in fragile contexts, and expanding the maintenance of infrastructure, such as roads, health centers, and communication systems, to increase the ability to cope with severe weather events.
Conclusion
Natural disasters are a global concern, with countries from all regions vulnerable to their devastating effects. The Global Risk Index Report provides a stark reminder of the need for countries to take proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with natural disasters. By improving health systems, enhancing early warning systems, and reducing social disparities, we can work towards reducing the severity of these disasters and building more resilient communities.
References:
[1] United Nations. (n.d.). Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR). Retrieved from
[2] World Risk Report 2023. (2023). Retrieved from
[3] WorldRiskReport 2023 – Disaster Risk and Diversity. (2023). Retrieved from
