'Gov't must protect the most vulnerable to disasters'

"We should all remember: Poverty breeds disaster vulnerability. Those who have less in life are faced with the greatest risks. Thus, as disasters become more prevalent, the greater is the responsibility of government to extend social protection to the country’s poor. Disaster risk reduction is social justice in action", said Philippine Senator Loren Legarda in her keynote speech for the East Asia Summit Leadership Panel on Climate Change and Rural Livelihoods on February 28, 2014 at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Ortigas.

Senator Legarda is UNISDR Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia.