RP most vulnerable to natural disasters, says UN 09/12/2011

RP most vulnerable to natural disasters, says UN

09/12/2011
Sen. Edgardo Angara called for an improved disaster management system in the country following the release of a United Nations report listing the Philippines among the top five most vulnerable to natural disasters.

The World Risk Report 2011 assesses the vulnerability of 173 countries to natural hazards and their ability to handle the aftermath of natural disasters based on exposure, susceptibility of the population, coping capacity and adaptation strategy.

This report from the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Safety reveals that the Philippines is the third most vulnerable worldwide because of the frequency of calamities, such as typhoons, floods, landslides and earthquake, combined with the country’s ineffectual disaster preparedness programs.

“The Philippines is no stranger to natural hazards. We are hit by several typhoons every year accompanied by floods and landslides and whose magnitude sometimes is similar to Pepeng, Ondoy and Milenyo,” said Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on science and technology..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110912nat5.html