Natural disasters over the first semester of 2012
Preliminary EM-DAT figures show that during the first semester of 2012, 143 natural disasters occurred, killing over 2,500 people, affecting almost 61 million others and causing more than US$ 6.9 billion of economic damages. Over the same period, 86 countries experienced at least one natural disaster, with the most-affected countries being Afghanistan, the United States and the Philippines. These countries were mainly affected by floods and storms. China and Afghanistan had the highest number of natural disaster fatalities, with respectively 280 and 268 persons killed. As is often the case, China had the highest number of people affected by natural disasters, with over 30 million people affected - or 50% of the worldwide total. The first six months of 2012 did not see any mega-disasters like those that occurred over the same period in 2011 (Tohoku earthquake and tsunami) and in 2010 (Haiti earthquake). This welcomed breather is the occasion to reflect on our progress in understanding and addressing the underlying factors that define disaster risk and impact. The pre-disaster phase is a critical time to undertake risk assessments and implement activities that lead to better disaster preparedness and mitigation. The building of human capacities for disaster response is one of the most crucial factors to reduce the adverse impacts of natural hazards. In this context, CRED is please to announce the creation of an Erasmus Mundus Master Course in Public Health and Disasters. The programme is co-organised by the University of Oviedo, Karolinska Institute and the University of Louvain. It is sponsored by the European Union and also involves thirteen associated universities and institutions around the world. More information on the course is available at http://pubhealthdisasters.eu
Debarati Guha-Sapir, Director