Manila, Philippines
→ The Philippines ranked third among 173 countries in terms of vulnerability
to disaster risks and natural hazards, a study showed.
The World Risk Index 2011 of the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human
Security noted that the Philippines is “heavily affected by extreme natural events” due to its
exposed position in the Pacific Ocean.
“Storms and heavy rains hit degraded ecosystems, destroyed coral reefs and mangrove forests,
depleted soils and deforested areas. Thus, there are few natural bulwarks against the threat of
disasters. People also feel the effects of climate change,” the report read.
The Philippines is only lower in rank than Vanuatu, the country with the highest risk, and Tonga,
which ranked second.
The Philippines is more vulnerable to disasters than its Southeast Asian neighbors Timor Leste
(7th), Cambodia (9th), Brunei (14th), Indonesia (28th), Vietnam (34th), Myanmar (57th),
Thailand (85th), Malaysia (91st), Laos (104th) and Singapore (153rd).
Among the countries that are near the Philippines’ ranking are Solomon Islands (4th), Guatemala
(5th) and Bangladesh (6th).
The five countries that are least prone to risks were Qatar (173rd), Malta (172nd), Saudi Arabia
(171st), Iceland (170th), and Bahrain (169th).
Sought for comment, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)
executive director Benito Ramos acknowledged that the Philippines is prone to natural disasters.
He said efforts are being undertaken to mitigate the impact of calamities and to enhance the
government’s preparedness.
“We have to adapt to climate change. We are continuously conducting information campaigns and
lectures to promote awareness,” Ramos told The STAR.
He said state agencies are coordinating with one another to minimize the effects of natural
disasters.
“We are more prepared now to cope with natural disasters. We have learned our lessons. Our
people are now cooperating with our personnel,” he said.
Ramos said their preparedness measures and the participation of various sectors would make up
for the lack of equipment.
“Our people should be vigilant and informed,” he said.
The World Risk Index defined “risk” as the interaction between a natural hazard event and the
vulnerability of the exposed element or society.
Article printed from Trade Union Congress of the Philippines: http://www.tucp.org.ph/news
URL to article: http://www.tucp.org.ph/news/index.php/2011/09/phl-ranks-3rd-onus-disaster-risk-index/
Below are the data/index of World Risk Report on 2011
Click this link to read more http://www.ehs.unu.edu/file/get/9018
Nice post. Thanks for sharing. I hope that preventative measures can be put in place soon. One thing that can be done which costs nothing is each individual take responsibility for their garbage and put it where it belongs instead of throwing it all over the streets, rivers, and everywhere else.
ReplyDelete@Phils Calamities: thanks for the appreciation, yes you are right. Every people should take responsibility in order to prevent such calamity to happen.That responsibility should start to everyone.
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