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From Syria to South Sudan, the need to be prepared has never been greater From Syria to South Sudan, the need to be prepared has never been greater
(about 3 hours later)
2013 was a record year for worldwide spending on humanitarian relief. Millions of people were affected by three very different crises – in Syria, the Central African Republic and the Philippines – each designated as the highest level of emergency by the UN. South Sudan was also plunged into crisis at the end of the year.2013 was a record year for worldwide spending on humanitarian relief. Millions of people were affected by three very different crises – in Syria, the Central African Republic and the Philippines – each designated as the highest level of emergency by the UN. South Sudan was also plunged into crisis at the end of the year.
But alongside the great human suffering caused by these and other humanitarian emergencies, there was also a high economic toll. Between them, the UN, NGOs, donor governments and the affected countries spent $22bn on the humanitarian response.But alongside the great human suffering caused by these and other humanitarian emergencies, there was also a high economic toll. Between them, the UN, NGOs, donor governments and the affected countries spent $22bn on the humanitarian response.
That was 27% more than in 2012 – which had no major new disasters or emergencies – making 2013 the most expensive year ever recorded for humanitarian disasters.That was 27% more than in 2012 – which had no major new disasters or emergencies – making 2013 the most expensive year ever recorded for humanitarian disasters.
This is cause for reflection. Can more be done to anticipate, prevent or mitigate these traumatic events? By investing in prevention and preparedness, the underlying causes of crises can be addressed, hard-won development gains can be protected, and community and national resilience can be lifted.This is cause for reflection. Can more be done to anticipate, prevent or mitigate these traumatic events? By investing in prevention and preparedness, the underlying causes of crises can be addressed, hard-won development gains can be protected, and community and national resilience can be lifted.
Prevention is cost effective: research has shown (pdf) that investing early to prevent conflicts can be as much as 60 times cheaper than intervention after violence erupts.Prevention is cost effective: research has shown (pdf) that investing early to prevent conflicts can be as much as 60 times cheaper than intervention after violence erupts.
In Kenya, for example, devastating electoral violence in 2007 and 2008 killed more than 1,100 people, displaced 660,000, and cost the country close to $3.5bn in economic loss. The cost of the humanitarian response was more than $25m.In Kenya, for example, devastating electoral violence in 2007 and 2008 killed more than 1,100 people, displaced 660,000, and cost the country close to $3.5bn in economic loss. The cost of the humanitarian response was more than $25m.
Subsequent UN-supported action to prevent violence, however – including implementing early warning systems, mediating tensions within communities, and police training – helped ensure peaceful referendums in 2010 and 2013, and cost as little as $5m per election.Subsequent UN-supported action to prevent violence, however – including implementing early warning systems, mediating tensions within communities, and police training – helped ensure peaceful referendums in 2010 and 2013, and cost as little as $5m per election.
In developing countries, disasters can quickly wipe out decades of development spending and trap people in poverty, yet investments in preparedness account for only one in every 10 "disaster dollars". The remaining nine are being spent on post-disaster relief and recovery.In developing countries, disasters can quickly wipe out decades of development spending and trap people in poverty, yet investments in preparedness account for only one in every 10 "disaster dollars". The remaining nine are being spent on post-disaster relief and recovery.
The need for prevention has never been greater. While wars between nations are becoming less common, civil conflicts are frequent. The war in Syria is protracted, with effects for the sub-region – including the dramatic events in Iraq in recent weeks. Recovery from the serious conflicts in South Sudan and the Central African Republic is likely to take decades. Intense weather events, such as typhoon Haiyan, are likely to become more frequent as the climate changes.The need for prevention has never been greater. While wars between nations are becoming less common, civil conflicts are frequent. The war in Syria is protracted, with effects for the sub-region – including the dramatic events in Iraq in recent weeks. Recovery from the serious conflicts in South Sudan and the Central African Republic is likely to take decades. Intense weather events, such as typhoon Haiyan, are likely to become more frequent as the climate changes.
By the end of June, UN-coordinated appeals for humanitarian disasters had reached $16.4bn. Responding to humanitarian crises this year could be even more costly than in 2013. With coordinated action to prevent catastrophes, however, human suffering and cost could be greatly reduced. Decades-long dedication to disaster-risk reduction in Bangladesh and Mozambique, for example – both frequently affected by flooding – has significantly reduced death tolls and economic losses.By the end of June, UN-coordinated appeals for humanitarian disasters had reached $16.4bn. Responding to humanitarian crises this year could be even more costly than in 2013. With coordinated action to prevent catastrophes, however, human suffering and cost could be greatly reduced. Decades-long dedication to disaster-risk reduction in Bangladesh and Mozambique, for example – both frequently affected by flooding – has significantly reduced death tolls and economic losses.
Despite the overwhelming evidence that a stitch in time saves nine, spending on prevention and preparedness remains a small part of the global aid budget. Now the international community is debating the future global development agenda. The UN Development Programme's 2014 Global human development report, due for release this month, argues that the post-2015 goals need to address vulnerability and build resilience. Preventing conflicts and preparing to cope with disasters is critical for sustained and sustainable development.Despite the overwhelming evidence that a stitch in time saves nine, spending on prevention and preparedness remains a small part of the global aid budget. Now the international community is debating the future global development agenda. The UN Development Programme's 2014 Global human development report, due for release this month, argues that the post-2015 goals need to address vulnerability and build resilience. Preventing conflicts and preparing to cope with disasters is critical for sustained and sustainable development.
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