Humans 'more deadly than nature'

A study for Oxfam International found the choices of politicians, poor decisions and bad management were to blame for the worst catastrophes.

The Rethinking Disasters report identified south Asia as the most disaster-prone area, where governments and charitable donations could make the biggest difference.

It claimed that when natural shocks such as cyclones or tidal waves hit Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal or Sri Lanka, deprivation in these areas was likely to turn events into a humanitarian crisis.

Oxfam regional director for south Asia Ashvin Dayal said poverty and inequality make natural disasters much more lethal.

He said: "The Kashmir earthquake killed 75,000 people. That's more than 12 times as many people as died in Japan's Great Hanshin earthquake, which was of similar strength. Why? Poverty, exclusion, inequality and unsuitable policies raise risks for poor people, women, and minorities especially."

The report urged governments to reduce the risk of disasters before they happened by tackling underlying problems that leave millions of people more vulnerable.

One of the report's authors, Shaheen Chughtai, said Bangladesh had managed to reduce the number of people who die in disasters by investing in cyclone shelters. "We also need to look at the millions of people who don't necessarily die, but are left homeless by disasters. By reducing poverty, we can help people recover more quickly with savings to fall back on."

The humanitarian policy adviser, who is based in Nepal, pointed out that 43% of people affected by natural disasters lived in south Asia.

Looking at how humans can prevent disasters, the study said warning systems should be in place and that physical infrastructure can reduce hazards. It added that poverty must be tackled and politicians should redress inequalities in society.