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World
Disasters Report: living and dying in the shadows 14 December 2006 In 2005, the world responded more generously to people’s humanitarian needs than at any time in recent history. Emergency aid reached at least US$ 17 billion – outstripping any other year on record. Yet millions still missed out on vital, potentially life-saving aid because funds were directed at high-profile disasters, while countless other crises were neglected, according to this year’s annual World Disasters Report, launched today (December 14) by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Report shows that governments donated over US$ 12 billion in bilateral humanitarian aid in 2005 – the highest figure since records began in 1970. In addition, individuals gave over US$ 5.5 billion for survivors of the Indian Ocean tsunami – the most NGOs worldwide had ever collected in a year. Total aid for the tsunami from private individuals and governments totalled over US$ 14 billion. But aid coverage is inequitable. The tsunami was the best-funded disaster, with at least US$ 1,241 per beneficiary in humanitarian aid – 50 times more than for the worst-funded crises. Emergency appeals for Chad, Guyana, Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi and Niger raised on average less than US$ 27 per person in need. International Federation President Juan Manuel Suárez Del Toro said such huge disparities are unacceptable. “The generous response in 2005 shows people and governments are committed to helping those in need. Now we must ensure aid goes where it is most needed and that it is not skewed for political, security or media reasons.” Media coverage is also uneven. Why did Hurricane Katrina, which killed about 1300 people, generate 40 times more media coverage than Hurricane Stan, which killed 1600 people in Guatemala shortly afterwards? The World Disasters Report asks why humanitarian aid is still unfairly distributed. Which communities languish in the shadows of emergency response and prevention – neglected by the media, aid organizations, donors, even by their own governments? Why do some crises rate news coverage, donor money, a place in international disaster databases, while others don’t? What is the human impact of this neglect and what can be done about it? International Federation Secretary General Markku Niskala called for a better understanding of the underlying causes of disasters. “For many people, daily life contains the seeds of crisis. Neglecting their vulnerability turns today’s risk into tomorrow’s disaster.” This year’s Report uses the examples of food insecurity in Africa, maternal mortality in South Asia, the tyranny of repeated crises in the Americas, irregular migration to Europe and gender inequities in disasters worldwide to reveal the lives of those people living in the shadows. The Report shows how the right responses now can help prevent chronic crises flaring up into humanitarian emergencies. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Marie-Françoise Borel, Media officer, Tel : + 41 79 217 33 45 Sian Bowen, Manager, Planning & Operations, Communications Tel : + 41 79 217 33 88 Media Service Duty Phone Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 185 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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