Recovery Plans in Progress, but Don’t Miss out Preparedness

Bangkok - December 09, 2013: As the international community marks the one-month anniversary of Super Typhoon Haiyan, a new report from humanitarian agency World Vision calls for stronger disaster planning to avoid widespread future devastation.

In Cambodia, natural disasters have left a path of destruction in recent months as flooding devastated northwestern part of the country, leaving more than 100 dead. According to Jason Evans, World Vision Cambodia’s country director, there is a pressing need for stronger local disaster preparedness plans to prevent the loss of lives in the future. 

“With 20 out of 24 provinces affected and more than 100 casualties most of whom died from drowning, it shows that more work on Disaster Risk Reduction is required to ensure that everyone knows how to prepare and stay safe,” Mr. Evans said.

World Vision’s Cities Prepare report estimates some 190.7 million people who live in poor communities across Asia Pacific are at an increased risk if a disaster strikes, because of a lack of planning and risk reduction activities. The report calls on leaders to recognize and act on the dangers facing people who are vulnerable to disasters. 

The report further recommends a stronger emphasis on disaster risk reduction (DDR) for homes, schools, businesses and in government policies in areas such as health care and municipal planning. The report urges disaster preparedness to be central in all discussions related to planning, future legislation and research. 

The report further highlights the vulnerability of children during natural disasters, as the World Health Organization estimates 30 to 50 per cent of the people who die in disasters are children. In Cambodia, approximately 40 per cent of the casualties from recent flooding are children.

“Instead of seeing vulnerability of children during disaster, we want to see those children contribute to strengthening the resilience of their families and their communities through the lesson they learnt related to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR),” said Angel Theodora, World Vision’s Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Director for the Asia Pacific region.

“In addition to working to improve the livelihood of people in our project areas, we also work hard to increase communities knowledge of Disaster Risk Reduction through training,” said Mr. Evans, adding that when adults, youth and children know how to protect themselves, they are able to share the knowledge with other villagers.

“We have heard of examples where children have been able to save their families because they had learned to protect themselves before a disaster strikes,” said Ms. Theodora. 

For media inquiries, please contact:                                                                                 Channpheaktra Hong                                                                                                               Media Officer, Communication Department                                                                               Tel: +855 (12) 672 732 Email: channpheaktra_hong@wvi.org