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A latest UN report has
appealed to
government leaders to take urgent action to ensure that
weather-related hazards, which are becoming more intense and frequent
due to climate change, do not lead to a corresponding rise in
disasters.
The new study identifies
India,
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sub Sahara Africa and Indonesia as being among
global warming hotspots, or countries particularly vulnerable to
increases in extreme drought, flooding and cyclones anticipated in
coming decades.
Commissioned by UN Office
for
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and NGO CARE International, it
examined possible consequences of global warming in next 20 to 30
years.
Charles Ehrhart, one of its
authors,
who serves as Climate Change Coordinator for CARE International said
impact of a natural disaster is determined by several factors, such
as access to proper equipment, information, as well as ability to
exert political influence.
According to the report,
most effective
means to curb human vulnerability to disasters are: boosting ability
of local and government institutions to respond to crises; empowering
local people to have stronger say in disaster preparedness, response,
recovery, rehabilitation; providing services and social protection
for most vulnerable populations. (Source: The Nation)
August 25, 2008
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