Building resilience to natural disasters - Event at the World Economic Forum annual meeting 2014

We know about the increased infrequency of extreme weather events around the world. That is the new risk normal and we should get used to it.

With the extreme events come more exposure and vulnerability, especially in developing nations, thanks to growing urban populations. Some 52% of the world’s population lives in cities, but 82% of Latin America is urbanized and too much of that is “chaotically urbanized”. Many of the people who have moved to cities live in poorly planned and high-risk areas. In some nations, that could be on hillsides susceptible to landslides; in others it could be in coastal areas prone to flooding, and in others it could be in hastily constructed buildings at risk in case of earthquakes.

The developing world in general is still poorly prepared. It needs to change where people live, map gas lines, protect utilities, and ensure there are back-up systems in place, among other actions.

It also urgently needs early warning systems. If early warning systems are developed, then the private sector – such as utilities and energy generators – can prepare risk management. Currently, they do not have the data to prepare properly.

In Brazil, the money spent by federal government on disaster recovery has increased 100 times over the past six years. That is without including the monies disbursed by municipalities and states. That means it would be obvious to invest in prevention.

After more than 1,200 people were killed in flood, Brazil hired a top scientist to create an early warning system. More early warning systems are crucial to avoiding and ameliorating damage caused by natural disasters.

Too often, it is a “business” to declare an emergency because funds are transferred quicker to municipalities and states. When that happens, there is a danger of corruption.

In the hours and days after a disaster, security and safety is paramount. Looting could occur. Insecurity will be widespread and crime will be a fear. It is important to evacuate if necessary, and evaluate immediate risks such as aftershocks and tsunami. It is also important to keep the population calm. Clear and concise communication is vital.

After that, businesses and government must be ready to resume activities. The quicker they do that, the easier it is to return to a sense of normalcy. The private sector can encourage that by adopting a business-as-usual attitude.

Speakers: Gregory L. Domingo, Sandra Wu Wen-Hsiu, Naheed Nenshi, Laurent Salvador Lamothe, Ertharin Cousin