Climate Change: Coping with the Humanitarian Impact

The Threat of Climate Change

Areas and communities like the ones in the Ayeyarwady delta region of Myanmar are prone to suffer repeated climatic shocks similar to those caused by Cyclone Nargis in May 2008. [Photo:IFRC]

Climate disasters are on the rise. Around 70 percent of disasters are now climate related – up from around 50 percent from two decades ago. 

These disasters take a heavier human toll and come with a higher price tag.  In the last decade, 2.4 billion people were affected by climate related disasters, compared to1.7 billion in the previous decade. The cost of responding to disasters has risen tenfold between 1992 and 2008.

Destructive sudden heavy rains, intense tropical storms, repeated flooding and droughts are likely to increase, as will the vulnerability of local communities in the absence of strong concerted action. 

 

 

Next: Growing Vulnerability