Global economic losses from disasters in the first half of 2018 were USD 36 billion, down from USD 64 billion in the first half of 2017 and well below average. Winter storm Friederike was the largest 2018 loss so far, with insured losses of USD 2.1 billion, and disaster events have so far claimed 3900 victims - the lowest half year total in three decades.
Economic Times, the
Most of the regions impacted by Kerala's intense monsoon were once classified by a committee as ecologically-sensitive zones, but the Kerala government rejected the committee's report and its recommendations. Some experts are now branding the recent disaster as a "manmade calamity," triggered by the government's past decisions.
MIC, Tonga - gov
Tonga has launched its revised Joint National Action Plan on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management. The plan plays a central role in guiding the government’s continuous efforts to build resilience to climate change and minimize disaster risks and is the result of years of thorough consultations conducted with various stakeholders.
