Impact of the earthquake in Haiti© Evelyne Hockstein/CARE

The year 2010 has been marked by a series of natural disasters, which have killed, injured and affected millions of people and continue to do so. The earthquake in Haiti and recent floods in Pakistan are just a few examples. In most instances, the poor were those who were most affected.

At a time when the number of disasters is likely to increase due to population rise, climate change, urbanisation, environmental degradation and economic globalization, CARE calls on the international community to step up its support to developing countries and investment in disaster preparedness.

Disaster preparedness is a long-term investment that pays off. Indeed, acting preemptively is more efficient than reacting once disaster strikes. For every dollar invested in disaster risk reduction, two to ten dollars can be saved in emergency aid or reconstruction after disaster.

But more than everything, investing in disaster reduction and preparedness – e.g. in earthquake-resistant buildings, early warning systems, escape and evacuation plans, technical equipment as well as reliable information through local media - can help save numerous lives, and reduce the plight that falls on survivors.

In many of its programmes around the world - from Vietnam to Niger, and India to Latin America - CARE is working with people so that they can prepare for and mitigate the impact of natural disasters.

To read our press release, please click here.

To read our expert’s interview, click here.

Learn more about CARE’s programmes on the ground, which contribute to disaster risk-management:
- Niger: Survival in Guilley, and the power of women 

- Improving the early warning capacity of fishing communities in Vietnam