World not prepared for disasters warns Mitchell

29 December 2010

The British Government is to strengthen the international disaster response system, set up following the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, to help prepare for the increasing number of earthquakes, floods and famines predicted in the future, International Development Secretary, Andrew Mitchell, announced.

Mr Mitchell will say that a lack of support from countries in the G8 and G20 risks undermining the world's ability to respond to future shocks, with the UN's disaster fund already facing a £64m ($98m) shortfall.

In 2010, 263 million people were devastated by natural disasters – 110 million more than the year of the Tsunami. Experts predict that the number of floods, famines or other climate-related disasters could increase to affect 375 million people every year by 2015. Other natural disasters, like earthquakes, and conflicts will affect many more.

The British Government is to provide £40 million for the United Nations' Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to strengthen international efforts. This will help those directly affected by war, conflict and natural disasters.

Mr Mitchell will also say the immediate response to disasters must be better coordinated and more evidence collected to evaluate the effectiveness of the help provided.

During the Haiti earthquake and the Pakistan floods this year, there was criticism that the international response was slow, and once it had begun there was poor coordination between humanitarian organisations.

Britain will call for more to do be done in following areas:

• Funding: Despite the increasing number of disasters, many countries have pledged less money this year than previous years, leaving the humanitarian central emergency fund facing a $98 million shortfall on its funding target.
• Coordination: The UN needs to improve its leadership and co-ordination on the ground, with a single, strategic response to a disaster based on a collective understanding of priority needs, rather than different bodies duplicating work and competing for the same resources.
• Evidence: International agencies need to be more transparent and accountable, showing where they are spending money and why, to ensure future disasters are handled more efficiently and effectively.

Announcing the support to the UN, Andrew Mitchell said:

"2010 will be remembered as a dreadful year for humanitarian disasters. Even in difficult economic times, Britain can be proud that it stood by people in their hour of need.

"Sadly, the scale and intensity of disasters is predicted to increase.

"We must restock and replenish our response to emerging disasters and make sure the system is fit for purpose. The UN has a central role to play in this but a lack of support for its disaster fund threatens to undermine its ability to deal with future shocks.

"It is vital that countries back the fund and make sure we are ready to help when it will be needed most."