'Africa's economic growth is bringing opportunities and new investment. It has the highest rate of urbanization in the world. Half of Africa's population will live in cities and towns by 2050. Investment decisions which are being made now will determine the future of disaster risk across the continent,' said UNISDR Chief Margareta...

'Recognising the close connectivity of livelihoods and natural resources and the links between terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems; ecosystem based adaptation; and a ridge to reef management approach is an appropriate adaptation response'...

Aid workers and officials in Mozambique are now discussing problems in the early warning system, and they are looking to long-term solutions, including reviving a long-standing debate on dams, to save people from future floodwaters...

'DRR priorities until 2015 and beyond should include development of strong early warning systems, national disaster loss databases and climate information for communities,' said Mariama Ousseini of the Niger DRR National Platform...

Reflecting on the media training organized by UNISDR in Arusha, Tanzania, Racheal Nakitare, Chief Producer with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, said: 'I have learned the difference between a natural hazard and a disaster. Disasters have a human face. Deaths can be prevented if everyone has access to early warnings. This is my role as a journalist'...

Business is already responding to climate risks by investing in adaptation measures. Lawmakers must follow suit to ensure public investment can withstand the increases in extreme events driven by our changing climate...

The rate of decrease in total water storage in the Tigris and Euphrates river basins was 'especially striking after the 2007 drought. Meanwhile, demand for freshwater continues to rise, and the region does not coordinate its water management because of different interpretations of international laws,' said a hydrologist and professor at UC...

James Mbatia, a member of parliament and an expert in disaster prevention, said the increasing devastation caused by flooding in Tanzania's cities is partly due to infrastructure growth not keeping up with population growth...

Soon after Hurricane Sandy hit, devastating much of the Northeast, politicians and experts took to the press to urge the government to help communities rebuild 'better'. But what exactly does rebuilding 'better' mean?...

In the wake of the recent Queensland floods, a debate has emerged about how to avoid future flood related damage. 'Very little flood mapping was done', and urban development on floodplains was not discouraged, says one expert. Thus, flood damage costs have risen significantly in the past few decades...

'Efforts to reduce risk before disasters strike need to be enhanced. ALNAP reports that investment in disaster risk reduction amounted to only one percent of the 150 billion dollars spent over the past five years. In the long-run, planning and preparation saves lives and capital,' according to Hari Krishna...

'This lastest disaster event underlines the vulnerability of all these small low-lying islands to sea level rise. Many islands such as Vanuatu and Kiribati are already suffering from recurrent flooding. More action needs to be taken at the international level to increase their capacities to deal with what is now seen as inevitable,' said Jerry...

An 'avid storm chaser' Terry West has called on the residents of Rose City, Australia to prepare for extreme weather events, such as the recent floods, and not to wait for authorities' warning when there are signs. His call to action includes a plea for local governments' use of social media...

The Space Leadership Council of the United Kingdom has announced that it aims to build on its leading position in the provision of climate data and services, with a new strategy to increase the use of space technology in this expanding market...

'The adoption of the Hyogo Framework for Action in 2005 has generated a clear understanding of the links between disaster risk reduction and poverty reduction which will inform the discussions now taking place on a new framework which will describe in detail how we can build a more resilient world over the next 30 years,' said UNISDR Chief...

U Min Htein of the Ministry of Construction highlighted the vulnerability of human settlements and communities in Myanmar to natural hazards and the importance of preparedness and mitigation, in particular safer settlement planning and use of appropriate building materials and construction techniques...

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which brought historic flooding to the greater New York area, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino called on city agencies, as well as landlords of low-lying properties, to assess what parts of city infrastructure, including its subway system, would be most at risk from flooding...

Talking at a recent civil society and government conference on climate change adaptation and planning for disaster risk reduction and management ESSC Research Director Pedro Walpole singled out seven points that are critical to the Philippine context...

Bita Roohi is the first woman to be appointed a disaster manager in Iran where she is in charge of disaster management and risk reduction for the city of Hamadan, situated 360 km south-west of Tehran on the slopes of Mount Alvand. Hamadan province has a long history of earthquakes...

According to researchers, risk reduction would be a point of entry to mitigate the effects of climate change at the local and community level. 'Mainstreaming adaptation into development activities will therefore be essential, but requires time and additional funding together with improved knowledge and farming technologies,' Senior Research...