In 2005, natural disasters affected 150 million people and caused US$159 billion in damages. Several resources produced by the World Bank and its partners have identified natural disaster "hotspots"--places most exposed to environmental catastrophes--in order to prioritize funding and promote sustainable development initiatives that mitigate disaster risk and enable communities to recover more quickly.
Natural Disasters and Development
Cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, droughts, and floods clearly have significant physical and economic impacts, including loss of life and property. These impacts are often exacerbated in countries or regions where there is a lack of sufficient development. Climate change and environmental degradation may also may also make communities more susceptible to natural hazards.
In addition, the occurrence of one or more natural disasters in a region may rapidly destroy economic wealth, infrastructure, and any other gains resulting from development initiatives. It is therefore important to identify high-risk locations, particularly within developing countries.
With rapid growth in world population, especially along coastlines, future disasters could impact increasingly large numbers of people.
Natural Disaster Resources
The following reports offer global and regional information, collected using uniform methodologies, on environmental hazards and their implications in specific areas.
Natural Disaster Hotspots: A Global Risk Analysis
Natural Disaster Hotspots: Case Studies
An interactive companion website created by the World Bank's Hazard Risk Management Team and Bank partners geographically displays natural disaster "hotspots."
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