Greater Investment in Disaster Risk Reduction in South East Asia

The torrential floods that occurred across South-East Asia last year left an imprint on both the region and its people. Over 1,000 people were killed. Moreover, the floods caused billions of dollars in damage. Last year's floods were the worst seen in generations. Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam were hit hardest by the floods.

This past Monday, delegates from nine countries attended a forum, in Bangkok, that focused on greater investment in disaster risk reduction. Noeleen Heyzer, the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has said that, "Hazards become disasters in the absences of development and with inadequate investment in risk reduction."

Delegates, having seen with their own eyes the importance of disaster risk reduction, are calling for increased investment in order to protect key social and economic assets.

-Akshika Patel


SOURCE: UN News Centre

Making Money While Rebuilding a Community

In the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has launched job-creation initiatives in two locations. The affected populations can now learn a living again and restart their lives while rebuilding their community by the means this program offers.

Removal of rubble from streets, drain construction, paving of roads, and debris disposal are some of the cash-for-work initiatives the employees are working for five days per week. The amount of pay they receive is equivalent in US dollars to between $4.70 and $7.00 for six hours of labor which helps people buy food and clothes for their family. It also brings hope three months after the worst flood in Pakistan's history.

“The cash-for-work projects are bringing immediate benefits to people and their communities,” said Rabia Khattak, Chief of UNDP’s Crisis Prevention and Early Recovery Unit. “But to succeed they have to reach many more people, and this requires sustained support from our national and international partners.”

-Shereen Alibhai

SOURCE: UNDP