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International body calls for greater preparedness | 10.11.2007 | 04:46:48 | Views: 6868 | ID: October 11 '07: Reuters reported that the United Nations has called on disaster response organizations to increase their preparedness levels to confront increasing environmental disasters. U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes told the international wire news service that "Climate Change is already driving an increase in the frequency and the intensity of heat waves, floods, droughts and tropical cyclones. We believe that more needs to be done to contain these natural disasters at the outset." According to new numbers released by the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, about 250 million people are affected by natural disasters, Reuters reported. "In 2006, the Red Cross and the Red Crescent responded to 428 disasters, up from 278 in 2004. During the period, the number of floods jumped from 54 to 121. Already in 2007, the federation has responded to more than 100 floods." U.N. Secretary Ban Ki Moon said that it is important local communities understand their role in providing disaster preparedness and response to help within the first 72 hours. "It is about making communities and individuals aware of their risk to natural hazards and how they can reduce their vulnerability." "The need to engage fully in disaster risk has never been more pressing," Ban said according to Reuters.
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