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UN: 19.3 million displaced worldwide by natural disaster in 2014
21.07.2015 09:17 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
Natural disasters forced over 19 million people worldwide from their homes in 2014 and the trend shows no signs of letting up, UN Radio says referring to the IDMC (UN Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre) report issued on Mon.
As to the report, millions of lives are devastated by earthquakes and flooding because of man-made factors, rather than of Mother Nature.
Report says governments should put safety at the core of their plans for future economic growth.
As to the report, every time a natural disaster strikes, one person is displaced every second.
Reportedly, today there’s a 60% higher chance of being displaced by disaster than 40 years ago.
Besides, the IDMC director Alfredo Zamudio admits the Asian countries are worst affected.
«Places such as the Philippines and China are examples of how countries vulnerable to disasters can be hit by multiple waves of displacement, and with each displacement event a person’s ability to bounce back becomes harder and harder,» Mr. Zamudio says.
As to him, the problem affects rich and poor nations alike, where victims can be left homeless for decades: in the United States, for instance, over 56,000 people are still in need of housing after Hurricane Sandy struck in 2012.
Also, Mr. Zamudio admits now many governments fail to prepare for the worst, with rapid urbanisation and population growth both driving the upward trend in displacement from disasters.
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