2 billion people affected by natural disasters in past 10 years

A new Red Cross report says governments and aid groups must do more to help millions of people who are being left behind in humanitarian crises around the world.

“The Red Cross report shows that natural disasters affect over 200 million people a year on average worldwide and this is expected to increase,” said Peter Walton, International Director, Australian Red Cross.

“Essential aid is increasingly not reaching all those in need as humanitarian crises, caused by extreme weather and natural disasters, such as droughts, heatwaves, floods and cyclones, dramatically worsen the human toll.

“We’ve seen some of the worst ever disasters in Australia and the Asia Pacific in recent years and we must ensure that we help everyone, particularly those being left behind,” Mr Walton said.

The 2018 World Disasters Report, “Leaving millions NO-ONE behind: The international humanitarian sector must do more to respond to the needs of the world’s most vulnerable people”, reveals that a massive global shortfall in funds needed for humanitarian assistance is not the only issue limiting how people in need are identified, reached, and supported.

“This Red Cross research is a very serious wake-up call for Governments and the entire international humanitarian sector,” said Jemilah Mahmood, Under Secretary General, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, who is visiting Australia this week. 

“Among the millions of people missing out on any aid in crises are those without identification papers, the marginalised such as sexual or ethnic minorities and many who are hard to reach due to armed conflict or being in remote locations,” Dr Mahmood said.

The 2018 World Disasters Report recommends that government and international humanitarian organisations improve how data is collected and shared across the sector, and then used to reach those that are at great risk. All governments are also being urged to prioritise and increase support for the hardest to reach populations in all disasters.

“Our report highlights that people who are isolated and not receiving help in disasters could be better supported if local and national agencies in the Asia Pacific and beyond are empowered and resourced to do more in their countries. Local actors are often the only ones able to reach people in remote or insecure areas and more needs to be done to support strengthening first responders before disaster strikes.

“Only 2.9% (AU$850 million) of all international humanitarian aid was provided directly to local and national responders in 2017. We can and must do much better than that,” Dr Mahmood said.

The World Disasters Report confirms that there needs to be a fundamental shift in dramatically increasing investment in preparing for disasters and building resilience in communities.

Mr Walton said: “Globally, the cost of damage caused by disasters in 2017 was a staggering $472 billion. Yet research shows that every dollar spent on reducing risks saves up to $8 when disasters strike.”

The World Disasters Report is produced by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). It includes comprehensive disaster data and analysis on disaster management. Learn more about the report at ifrc.org/wdr18.