InfoAnda - World sleepwalking into disasters: U.N. aid chief

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Hiker falls to his death from Yosemite's Half Dome | 14 June 2009
2 China lawyers who defended Falun Gong face ban | 21 April 2010
Smirking Norway killer Breivik pleads not guilty | | 17 April 2012

Military: Rocket or mortar hits Baghdad Green Zone | 8 June 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : World sleepwalking into disasters: U.N. aid chief | International |

My Profile Top News Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day. Subscribe You are here: Home > News > International > Article Home Business & Finance News U.S. Politics International Technology Entertainment Sports Lifestyle Oddly Enough Health Science Special Coverage Video Pictures Your View The Great Debate Blogs Weather Reader Feedback Do More With Reuters RSS Widgets Mobile Podcasts Newsletters Your View Make Reuters My Homepage Partner Services CareerBuilder Affiliate Network Professional Products Support (Customer Zone) Reuters Media Financial Products About Thomson Reuters World "sleepwalking" into disasters: U.N. aid chief Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:44am EDT Email | Print | Share | Reprints | Single Page [-] Text [+] By Jonathan Lynn GENEVA (Reuters) - The world is 'sleepwalking' toward preventable natural disasters whose effects could be cut significantly with a modest increase in spending on risk reduction, the United Nations aid chief said on Tuesday. "The trends in disasters, particularly from climate change, are of enormous concern," said John Holmes, U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs. "We can only expect that this kind of trend is going to continue," he told a news conference. Holmes was speaking at the start of a four-day Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction which gathers over 1,800 participants from 169 governments and around 140 international and non-governmental organizations. Risk reduction efforts had improved since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed more than 250,000 people, but much more was needed, Holmes said. "We're still to some extent sleepwalking our way into disasters for the future which we know are going to happen, and not enough is being done to mitigate the damage," he said. Holmes hoped the Global Platform would agree to spend around $3 billion a year on disaster risk reduction, representing about 10 percent of the $8 billion spent each year on disaster relief, plus 1 percent of the $239 billion development aid budget. By comparison, disasters in 2008 caused approximately $200 billion in damage, Holmes said. While the cost two years earlier was a quarter of that, the trend was clearly rising. "The most damaging disasters in developing countries can seem to cause the least damage because the property being damaged is less expensive ... but the real damage done to lives and livelihoods is much greater," Holmes said. It was important global efforts to deal with climate change include disaster risk reduction and look at adapting behavior as well as mitigating the effects of disasters, he said. About 90 percent of disasters are climate-related, said Holmes, who noted cyclones in Brazil in 2004 and Oman in 2007 had been of an intensity never before seen in those regions. The massive earthquake in Sichuan, China, last year, and another earthquake in Italy this year had shown both the need for tough building codes and the importance of enforcing them. PREVENTATIVE MEASURES Priorities for the Global Platform meeting include plans to disaster-proof schools and hospitals, build up early-warning systems, reduce human settlement in disaster-prone areas and restore and safeguard ecosystems. Bangladesh, where many people live in a coastal area prone to flooding and cyclone-driven sea swells, has cut the death toll from disasters dramatically through early-warning systems. Continued... View article on single page Share: Del.icio.us Digg Mixx Yahoo! Facebook LinkedIn Next Article: U.S. commander in Afghanistan reviews strategy: report Iran's presidential election Aftermath of Iran's election Up-to-the-minute news, photos and video of the aftermath of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disputed election in Iran. Full Article More International News Iran rules out annulment, Tehran crowds gather | Video Son of North Korea's Kim visits China as heir: media | Video Israel sees deal soon with Obama over settlements Iraqis take control of Baghdad's Green Zone Campaign underway for Afghan presidential poll More International News... Featured Broker sponsored link Editor's Choice Slideshow A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow Most Popular on Reuters Articles Video David Letterman apologizes for "flawed" Palin joke U.S. likely to lose AAA rating: Prechter Iran rules out annulment, Tehran crowds gather | Video Son of North Korea's Kim visits China as heir: media | Video Protesters plan more mass rallies in Iran | Video French prosecutor seeks dissolution of Scientology CIA chief believes Cheney almost wants US attacked Iranian blogosphere backs Mousavi as protests mount Q+A: How likely is it that Iran protests will spread? Is the housing bust about to take Manhattan? Most Popular Articles RSS Feed Video Obama on Iran Puppy flushed down toilet Iran crisis poses dilemma for U.S. Iran election protests turn deadly Michelangelo's first painting? Iran's opposition hold huge rallies Iran ready to recount disputed vote Obama lobbies doctors N. Korea's anti-sanctions rally Malaysia's lucky boars Most Popular Videos RSS Feed We want to hear from you Join the Reuters Consumer Insight Panel and help us get to know you better Please take a moment to complete our survey Reuters.com: Help and Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Mobile | Newsletters | RSS | Labs | Archive | Site Index | Video Index Thomson Reuters Corporate: Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy | Professional Products | Professional Products Support | About Thomson Reuters | Careers International Editions: Africa | Arabic | Argentina | Brazil | Canada | China | France | Germany | India | Italy | Japan | Latin America | Mexico | Russia | Spain | United Kingdom | United States Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Iran protester slain after huge pro-reform rally
Air France planes get new speed probes after probe
US-TECH Summary
Palestinians angered by Netanyahu peace terms
Men's 'stiff upper lip' may explain cancer death rate
Nokia and Samsung heat up smartphone contest
North Korea's May nuclear test few kilotons: U.S. | International |
Obama cranks up health reform hard sell
One protestor shot dead at Tehran rally: local photographer
Universal, Virgin hail 'world first' unlimited music downloads
Virgin Media, Universal to offer unlimited music
EU "disturbed" by Iraq executions, calls for freeze
Analysis: Netanyahu's overture likely too little
Indian, Pakistani leaders expected to meet on Tuesday | International |
Protestor 'shot dead' at mass anti-Ahmadinejad rally
Russia threatens to veto West's U.N. Georgia plan | International |
U.S. commander sees fewer foreign fighters in Iraq
EU disturbed by Iraq executions, calls for freeze | International |
U.S. and EU cautious on Netanyahu
Nokia, Samsung heat up smartphone contest
Nokia and Samsung heat up smartphone contest | Technology |
US Gen McChrystal takes command in Afghanistan
Calif wants to cut legal aid attorneys for poor
China-US naval incident part of a rising trend
U.S. senators ask FCC to review mobile handset deals | Technology |
Higher-ed pinching pushes college presses to brink
Alleged Khmer Rouge torturer cries in court
Pentagon struggling to explain bombing incident
SKorean president arrives for talks with Obama
Ill. blogger who lied about sick baby apologizes
Lawmakers want IRS to suspend tax shelter penalty
Sheriff: 4 dead in Fla. family murder-suicide
Afghan presidential candidates prepare to campaign
US called `deeply troubled' by events in Iran
Court: Anti-aging guru's ex can't discuss divorce
Hundreds riot in China over new furniture tax
Photos of girl's body allowed in Ore. prayer case
Malaysia police fire tear gas on Iran election protest
Seventh Sumatran elephant killed in Indonesia
NASA will try to launch space shuttle Wednesday
Vietnam Airlines planning to buy 18 Airbus jets
Filipino remittances up 2.2 percent in April
Moody's wants clarity on Pakistan's foreign support
Harry Potter publisher denies plagiarism claim | Entertainment |
French prosecutor seeks dissolution of Scientology
Idol auditions attract thousands in Mass.
French prosecutor seeks dissolution of Scientology | Entertainment |
Bill Engvall `nervous' about hosting CMT awards
Brad Pitt, family give $1M to Missouri hospital
Gory British prison drama wins Sydney Film Festival | Entertainment |
Makana shares aloha with his slack key music
McCartney and Yoko push 'meat-free Mondays'
7 killed as anti-Ahmadinejad protests turn deadly
Plane makers scramble for deals at Paris Air Show
Seven killed at Tehran rally, more protests planned | International |
Twitter streams break Iran news dam
Iran state TV says seven people killed near rally
Court orders Exxon to pay $507.5 mln for 1989 spill
Son of North Korea's Kim visits China as heir-media | International |
Sun Micro kills "Rock" high-end chip project: report
Indian, Pakistani leaders expected to meet on Tuesday | International |
Seven people killed near Tehran rally site: radio
YouTube testing video ad viewing options
US urges Iran to accept invite to nuclear talks
Russia hosts first BRIC summit, India-Pakistan meet | International |
U.S. senators ask FCC to review mobile handset deals
Tweeting Iran: Elex news in 140 characters or less
U.S. commander in Afghanistan reviews strategy: report | International |
U.S. and EU cautious on Netanyahu
Berlusconi eyes concrete results for G8 summit | International |
US commander: US to stick to Iraq withdrawal date
China to swap bullets for lethal injections | International |
Samsung, Nokia heat up smartphone contest
Bomb kills two police, teacher shot in Thai south | International |
Obama welcome's Israeli prime minister's speech
Iran's supreme leader becomes political referee
Aussie senator unsure humans cause climate change
Chinese waitress walks free after killing official | International |
Officials vow support for renewable energy in West
Darkness at noon: Beijing's skies turn black
US calls for release of arrested Vietnam activist
RIM aims to cross categories with BlackBerry Tour | Technology |
China to execute inmates by injection, not bullets
Sun Micro kills Rock high-end chip project: report | Technology |
Waitress on trial in stabbing of Chinese official
Adobe to charge users for Acrobat.com | Technology |
Sen. Coburn questions 100 stimulus projects
Opera adds media, file sharing services to browser | Technology |
Son of North Korea's Kim visits China as heir
Clear Channel deal gives musicians Web channels | Technology |
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Indian, Pakistani leaders expected to meet on Tuesday
Detainee sheds light on CIA interrogations
Another school closed by swine flu in Hong Kong
Britain to unveil plans for digital future | Technology |
Ore. woman indicted in death of pregnant woman
NKorean 'heir apparent' visits China: report
SKorea condemns slaying of SKorean woman in Yemen
Co-worker arrested in Va. bus station shooting
Florida man dies in Yosemite National Park
Chief blames `knuckleheads' for Lakers disturbance
ACLU: Hospital discriminated against gay couple
Hollywood rep: private sector key in China access
Judge nixes move to charge `Bounty Hunter' star
A new role as 'risk regulator' could reshape Fed
Wash. murder charge for man accused in AZ killings
Big four emerging economies meet for first summit
Offshore holdings of NZ govt debt rose in May
Docu to chronicle Swinton's Berlin Wall bike ride
Korea Hot Stocks
Taiwan dlr firms as stocks cancel US dlr appeal
China, Nigeria state firms find oil in Niger Delta
S.Korea government bonds rise on U.S. lead
Seoul shares fall led by banks; MSCI news weighs
Nigeria urges court to dimiss S. Korea firm's oil suit
Docu to chronicle Swinton's Berlin Wall bike ride
Former Nirvana bassist ends Wash. protest campaign
David Letterman apologizes for flawed Palin joke | Entertainment |
Clear Channel deal gives musicians Web channels
Blame gets shared for dark side of reality TV fame | Entertainment |
Tarzan, Jane, and the animals, reviewed
Susan Boyle returns to tour after rest day | Entertainment |
David Letterman apologizes for "flawed" Palin joke
DiCaprio playing poker in new drama | Entertainment |
DiCaprio playing poker in new drama
Clear Channel deal gives musicians Web channels | Entertainment |
Architect slams Prince Charles' 'unconstitutional' intervention
Docu to chronicle Swinton's Berlin Wall bike ride | Entertainment |
Curtis, Chenoweth sign on for comedy Again | Entertainment |
Letterman apologizes for Palin daughter joke
Natalie Portman in step with Black Swan | Entertainment |
Letterman apologizes to audience for 'bad' joke
Docu exposes disturbing truth about U.S. food supply | Entertainment |
Review: `Food, Inc.' offers plenty to chew on
Opera launches new media, file sharing service
Saab to be bought by sports-car Koenigsegg
Iraq lawmakers to question oil minister over deals
Broadband gains traction despite economic crisis
Iranian blogosphere backs Mousavi as protests mount
Israel sees deal soon with Obama over settlements | International |
Microsoft files lawsuit over "click fraud"
Iraqis take control of Baghdad's Green Zone | International |
Bing search makes porn easy to filter out
Campaign underway for Afghan presidential poll | International |
Yahoo expands mobile presence in Asia
Italy quake survivors protest reconstruction plans | International |
Pakistan face tough Taliban foe in tribal belt
Adobe to charge users for Acrobat.com
World sleepwalking into disasters: U.N. aid chief | International |
Cyber attacks gow on SKorea military networks
Asia set to become biggest climate change driver
Georgia angry after Russia vetoes U.N. monitors | International |
Britain to unveil plans for digital future
Yahoo expands mobile presence in Asia
Ky. authorities investigate boy's elevator death
China acknowledges incident between sub, US ship
Ohioans ticketed for parking in own driveways
Indonesia coal mine explosion traps 30
The Nation's Weather
Police: SKorea man kills boy to hide drunk driving
Low tide: Shrimp industry hit by imports, prices
Twitter delays down time to aid Iranian protesters | Technology |
Teacher, 2 policemen killed in troubled Thai south
Obama's Day: Meeting with South Korean leader
Fighter plane crashes in Bangladesh, pilot safe
Iranian blogosphere backs Mousavi as protests mount | Technology |
Irish family's road trip ends tragically in crash
Asia set to become biggest climate change driver
Judge upholds ND's anti-corporate farming law
6 die after a mine blast in Indonesia
Microsoft files lawsuit over click fraud | Technology |
Italy agrees to take 3 detainees from Guantanamo
China Communist Party newspaper to expand coverage
ADB approves $3.4B loans for Asia to ease crisis
UK company debuts 2-seat hydrogen car prototype
Private equity firms eye Taiwan's services sector
Asia's economic growth bolsters climate change: ADB
Pakistan stocks fall further, budget fails to impress
HK officials face pay cut, jobless rate at 5.3 pct
Hopes fade for Indonesian miners after explosion
HK officials face pay cut, jobless at 3-year high
6 die, at least 24 trapped in Indonesia mine blast
Q&A-Is South Korea's economy ready for higher rates?
Indonesia Bukit Asam says 30 staff trapped in landslide
Japan's SMFG plans to raise $9.6 bln in share sale
Bank of Japan holds rate
Fashion world honors new stars Rodarte _ and Obama
`Transformers' toys live up to big-screen robots
Sharon Gless is a scene-stealer on 'Burn Notice'
Albert Hall loading bay gets pop music makeover | Entertainment |
Another move for 'Chess' _ on public television
Taylor Swift's CMT opener sounds simply dreamy
Docu exposes disturbing truth about U.S. food supply
Natalie Portman in step with "Black Swan"
Curtis, Chenoweth sign on for comedy "Again"
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01