GAR 2015 Main Report

Part I - Chapter 2

Box 2.1 Lives saved

In general, countries that have managed to reduce disaster mortality significantly have also managed to enhance disaster management within a broader context of improving development indicators. In Bangladesh, for example, an innovative cyclone shelter programme has helped the country dramatically reduce tropical cyclone mortality since the 1970s. In the past five decades, Bangladesh has been struck by three severe tropical cyclones: Bhola (1970), Gorky (1991) and Sidr (2007).

Bhola caused an estimated 300,000 deaths; Gorky was responsible for more than 138,866. The death toll for Sidr, however, was only 4,234. At the same time, Bangladesh’s major success in reducing mortality from tropical cyclones is supported not only by cyclone shelters but also by a slow but steady improvement in the provision of basic education, health and sanitation, and by a reduction in the number of people living below the poverty line (Figure 2.2).

In February and March 2000, Mozambique saw heavy flooding that affected more than 4.5 million people and killed at least 800. While the floods in January 2013 were not as severe as in 2000, the numbers of people killed and affected were reduced by around 90 per cent. A steady reduction in extreme poverty in Mozambique has gone hand in hand with a dramatic decline in the under-five mortality rate, which is a key indicator of Goal 4 of the MDGs (Figure 2.3). The country has also succeeded in reducing disaster mortality significantly over the last 20 years.

Similarly, hurricanes in Cuba in 1926 and 1932 caused approximately 600 and 2,500 deaths, respectively. In contrast, Hurricane Dennis in 2005 killed only 16 people, and Hurricane Sandy in 2012 claimed only 11 lives.

Figure 2.2 Progress in selected human development indicators in Bangladesh

Figure 2.3 Decreasing poverty and under-five mortality in Mozambique

(Source: UNISDR with data from the World Bank.)

	46 Part I - Chapter 2 Box 2.1 Lives saved In general, countries that have managed to reduce disaster mortality significantly have also managed to enhance disaster management within a broader context of improving development indicators. In Bangladesh, for example, an innovative cyclone shelter programme has helped the country dramatically reduce tropical cyclone mortality since the 1970s. In the past five decades, Bangladesh has been struck by three severe tropical cyclones: Bhola (1970), Gorky (1991) and Sidr (2007). Bhola caused an estimated 300,000 deaths; Gorky was responsible for more than 138,866. The death toll for Sidr, however, was only 4,234. At the same time, Bangladesh’s major success in reducing mortality from tropical cyclones is supported not only by cyclone shelters but also by a slow but steady improvement in the provision of basic education, health and sanitation, and by a reduction in the number of people living below the poverty line (Figure 2.2). In February and March 2000, Mozambique saw heavy flooding that affected more than 4.5 million people and killed at least 800. While the floods in January 2013 were not as severe as in 2000, the numbers of people killed and affected were reduced by around 90 per cent. A steady reduction in extreme poverty in Mozambique has gone hand in hand with a dramatic decline in the under-five mortality rate, which is a key indicator of Goal 4 of the MDGs (Figure 2.3). The country has also succeeded in reducing disaster mortality significantly over the last 20 years. Similarly, hurricanes in Cuba in 1926 and 1932 caused approximately 600 and 2,500 deaths, respectively. In contrast, Hurricane Dennis in 2005 killed only 16 people, and Hurricane Sandy in 2012 claimed only 11 lives. Figure 2.2 Progress in selected human development indicators in Bangladesh Figure 2.3 Decreasing poverty and under-five mortality in Mozambique (Source: UNISDR with data from the World Bank.) (Source: UNISDR with data from the World Bank.)	Page 1 Page 10 Page 20 Page 30 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 ->Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 70 Page 80 Page 90 Page 100 Page 110 Page 120 Page 130 Page 140 Page 150 Page 160 Page 170 Page 180 Page 190 Page 200 Page 210 Page 220 Page 230 Page 240 Page 250 Page 260 Page 270 Page 280 Page 290 Page 300 Page 310