With the increasing number of disasters whether man-made or natural, it is impossible to fully mitigate the risks posed by.Given the uncertainty, a comprehensive insurance cover for home and vehicles can be of help, irrespective of where one resides.   A motor insurance policy has two parts — an own damage (OD) cover which... Read More

Fire on board the Indonesian ferry ‘Zahro Express’; on way from Jakarta to Tidung Island Resort 30 miles away  with over 230 passengers ; claimed 23 lives and 17 persons are reported missing. The fire started soon after departure, causing passengers to panic and start fighting for life jackets. Some ran to the decks and... Read More

Effective communication and information management are critical to the overall process of managing and reducing the risks of disaster. Additionally, disaster response teams require ongoing preparation and planning and cannot improvise during a disaster/emergency. Besides having specialized qualifications and training, the Disaster Response Teams must:-   o   Be able to Anticipate, Identify and Manage... Read More

Part 3 –Awareness Central to Disaster Risk Management Robert Glasser, special representative of secretary general for disaster risk reduction, said that the world was already “falling short” in its response to humanitarian emergencies. Dr MatthiasGarschagen, scientific director of the World Risk Report (pdf), said large-scale disasters such as the earthquakes in Nepal and Haiti often act as stark reminders of... Read More

Part 2 –Importance of Disaster Risk Reduction at Core Planning Stage   Mr Glasser, the head of UN Disaster Risk Reduction,asked for more money and resources to be ploughed into ‘Disaster Risk Reduction’ at the core planning stage. Else the rise in number of simultaneous disasters is bound to happen. As per him, the internationally... Read More

Part 1 –Inadequate Resources for Disaster Mitigation The world’s failure to prepare for natural disasters will have “inconceivably bad consequences”, the UN’s head of disaster planning has warned. We are facing increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters and the humanitarian crises that follow due to the ill effects of climate change. The knock on... Read More