Disasters, including those wrought by fiercer storms, threaten more people and could derail economic progress in the Asia Pacific region if governments don't invest more in disaster mitigation and prevention, a U.N. official said Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Kamal Kishore, who heads the U.N. Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, issued the warning in a speech at the start of a regional conference on disaster mitigation hosted by the Philippines, one of the world's most disaster-prone countries.
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"Disasters are now affecting record numbers of people and threatening their lives and livelihoods,” Mr. Kishore told hundreds of delegates to the three-day conference in Manila led by Ministers in charge of disaster mitigation and response across the Asia Pacific.
"Left unchecked, these disaster risks threaten to derail the development aspirations of the Asia Pacific region and push back progress that has taken decades to achieve,” he said.
In pictures: Rage of Hurricane Helene
Structures destroyed on the bank of river Crystal after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Steinhatchee, Florida.
People and pets are rescued from flooded neighbourhoods in the aftermath of the hurricane on Friday (September 27, 2024) in Crystal River, Florida.
Western North Carolina was essentially cut off because of landslides and flooding that forced the closure of Interstate 40 and other roads.
A man and his dog being rescued after his sailboat became disabled during Hurricane Helene approximately 25 miles off Sanibel Island, Florida on Thursday (September 26, 2024)
The hurricane caused several
billions of dollars of destruction across the southeastern U.S.
Several flood and flash flood warnings remained in effect in parts of the southern and central Appalachians, while high wind warnings also covered parts of Tennessee and Ohio.
Moody’s Analytics said it expects $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage.
Officials urged people who were trapped to call for rescuers and not tread floodwaters, warning they can be dangerous due to live wires, sewage, sharp objects and other debris.
The hurricane led to the destruction of private properties worth of billions of dollars.
An athletic field is flooded after heavy rain and filling with debris on September 27, 2024 in Boone, North Carolina.
A Motel is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in Cedar Key, Florida on Friday (September 27, 2024)
A drone view shows a flooded and damaged area, following Hurricane Helene in Steinhatchee, Florida. Some neighborhoods were so badly flooded that only car roofs could be seen poking above the water.
Homes are levelled in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Horseshoe Beach, Florida.
A mother and her son seen walking towards their home severely damaged after the hurricane.
Power crews work on the lines after the hurricane as more than three million people spent the weekend without any power.
Volunteers with Project a non-profit organization based in Alabama serve meals after Hurricane Helene made landfall overnight in Madison, Florida, U.S., September 27, 2024.
A family returning to their flooded home in the aftermath of the hurricane.
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