Millions at Risk of Future Disasters, says World Vision Report

Kolkata: 12th December 2013: A new disaster risk reduction report from the international humanitarian agency World Vision cautions that India's urban population might be one of the hardest hit in the event of natural disasters. The report calls for stronger disaster planning for cities to avoid widespread future devastation.

An estimated 400,000 square kilometres of India's land is exposed to annual floods, and at least two or three severe cyclones hit each year. In 2013, Phailin, Helen, Lehar and the current cyclone Madi have inflicted substantial damage and losses. Additionally, more than 50% of the country is seismically active. India has three of the world's ten biggest cities (in terms of population) in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata, and this makes its residents particularly vulnerable to such disasters. The country also has the highest population of urban poor, with up to 80% of the urban population living under the poverty line. World Vision's Cities Prepare report calls on leaders to recognize and act on the dangers facing these people who live on the margins in India's swarming urban centres.

Citing Kolkata as a case study, the World Vision report warns that aggressive landfill that blocks traditional drainage systems, high number of slum settlements and poor sanitation facilities puts the eastern city in grave risk. The report urges governments, businesses, civil society and communities to immediately address the changing urban landscape and ensure disaster preparedness is central to planning, future legislation and research.

The report recommends governments place more emphasis on disaster risk reduction (DRR) programs for homes, schools, businesses and in developing policies in areas such as health care and municipal planning. It also calls for more partnerships to eliminate gaps in disaster planning at the municipal level and increased involvement of children in disaster preparedness plans.

Key Recommendations of World Vision's Disaster Preparedness Report:

• Partnering through frameworks and networks: connecting effectively with national/international expertise and resources to share the planning and financial burden
• Calling for Corporate Social Responsibility: partnering corporations and communities will reduce the negative impact of industry and strengthen local communities
• Integrating policies: mainstreaming disaster risk reduction as a standard community service in local and municipal strategies
• Investing in communities: strengthening community-led disaster management, risk assessment, first aid, evacuation and mitigation infrastructure through school and other social structures

The damage inflicted by the cyclone Phailin had been greatly reduced precisely because the government and agencies were better prepared than before, with about 550,000 evacuations carried out before its landfall. "The devastation caused by Phailin can be seen as not only a horrific disaster but a warning for the future. We need to ensure future generations have safer urban areas that can withstand natural disasters. Strengthened resilience reduces loss of life and livelihoods," says Kunal Shah, head of World Vision's emergency response in India.

For media queries, contact:

Ms. Teresa, WorldVision India @ +91 94440 63267; teresa_sahaya@wvi.org
Ms. Impuri, WorldVision India @ +91 8800605557; impuri_ngayawon@wvi.org