Disasters

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says its "Atlas" is the most comprehensive review of mortality and economic losses from weather, water and climate extremes ever produced.

It surveys some 11,000 disasters occurring between 1979-2019, including major catastrophes such as Ethiopia's 1983 drought, which was the single most fatal event with 300,000 deaths, and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that was the most costly, with losses of $163.61 billion.

This was the opening statement by the Acting Director for National Disaster Centre, Martin Mose, during a recent workshop in Port Moresby.

Mose said the Government aims to achieve this, through the NCD and technical agencies, through research, development of policies and framework, and continued support to risk reduction at the community level.

The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) highlights the importance of seasonal weather outlooks in planning for natural events like El Nino and flooding. 

RIMES institutional development specialist, Ruby Policarpio, says responsible authorities must start using information on weather outlooks more effectively to prepare for disasters.

Policarpio said while there have been repeated impacts of El Nino and flooding in the region, PNG still does not have effective recovery efforts and more importantly, disaster preparedness.