Disaster preparedness methods and prevention infrastructure have been proven to mitigate the impacts of catastrophes on citizens around the world. As shown in the infographic by the Aid and International Development Forum (AIDF), every euro spent on disaster prevention efforts is predicted to result in €4 savings that would go towards response efforts. In 2016, the European Commission released a report of its planned investments for the countries in the EU. It is estimated that the projected developments will save 13.3 million people residing on the European continent from floods and 11.8 million people from forest fires. To view the infographic, click here www.aidforum.org/infographic/infographic-disaster-prepare...

Despite its ability to cut response costs, disaster risk reduction has only accounted for 12.8% of the $3.3 trillion allocated globally to international aid finance during the period spanning from 1991 to 2010. Emergency response accounted for the majority of aid finance, 65.6% or $69.9 billion during these years while reconstruction and rehabilitation took up 21.7% of the total expenditure.

These figures might be accounted for by factoring in the inability of some countries to afford the cost of protection infrastructure. This proves to be unsurprising as such infrastructure projects can come with a hefty price tag. The 5th Delta Program launched by the Netherlands cost €20 billion and $15 billion was spent on the flood protection program in New Orleans. In total, an estimated $1 trillion is needed per year to close the infrastructure gap in developing countries.

In the private sector, 72% of Standard & Poor’s Global 100 companies do not conduct environmental or climate-specific vulnerability assessments. Furthermore, a majority of these companies do not engage in climate-risk management activities, such as the utilization of climate-specific risk models and research as well as the upgrading of infrastructure and equipment; despite the fact that 77% of these companies include climate-risk management in their conventional business continuity and risk management strategies.

The importance of disaster readiness reaches beyond government and corporate level and is vital for the individual to be conscious of as well. In the United States, the National Health Security Preparedness Index, which measures preparedness for disasters and other emergencies, reached a score of 6.8 out of 10 on the national scale in 2016. However, measurements on a state-by-state basis record a 31% disparity between states with the highest preparedness scores and those with the lowest. For the 144.6 million people living in the coastal states from Maine to Texas, disaster preparedness is incredibly necessary. Especially in light of the fact that in 2016 alone there were 7 hurricanes which threatened the 61 million homes and 3.4 million business establishments on the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast.

To discuss the impact of disasters and how to enhance disaster preparedness and prevention, join the 9th Global Disaster Relief & Development Summit on September 6-7 in Washington D.C. The Summit will gather industry experts who will be sharing best practice and discussing new technology innovations aimed at improving preparedness, proactive disaster mitigation, risk management and community management. Hear from:

• Christopher Smith, Director of Individual Assistance, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), United Sates Department of Homeland Security
• Akshat Vishal Chaturvedi, Senior Advisor, Disaster Risk Management, World Bank
• George Sullivan, Director, Individual and Community Preparedness and Resilience, American Red Cross
• Kieth Kall, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, World Vision
• David Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Rescue Global
• Isaac Kwamy, Director, Global Programs, Humanitarian Disaster Management, NETHOPE
• Dr Joe Leitmann, Lead Disaster Risk Management Specialist, Team Leader, Resilient Recovery and Urban Resilience, Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), World Bank Group

For more information about the Global Disaster Relief & Development Summit, visit disaster-relief.aidforum.org

Global Disaster Relief & Development Summit strives to enable quicker and better response during crises and catastrophes by improving effectiveness, cost-efficiency and sustainability of aid operations. This year’s programme will expand its scope beyond disaster relief and will look into emerging global challenges, innovations and opportunities in international aid and development sector. It will continue to focus on best practice in humanitarian logistics, emergency communication, supply chain, procurement, partnerships and financing of aid programmes. The agenda is developed in consultation with World Bank, UN OCHA, Red Cross, USAID, World Vision, UNOPS.

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This release was published on openPR.

FREETOWN, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Sierra Leone's presidential spokesperson Abdulai Bayraytay said Wednesday that the country is in dire need of food, water, clothing, accommodation and medical supplies for the thousands of people left homeless by the devastating floods and mudslide that hit an area on the outskirts of capital city Freetown on Monday.

Bayraytay, who also doubles as lead communicator for the disaster management in Sierra Leone, told Xinhua in an interview they have temporarily provided shelter for the homeless in various schools across the city and that they are currently providing dry food rations for people that were affected by the disaster, but more supplies are needed.

"We need water facility, clothing, medicine, food and accommodation for people that have been left homeless," he said, as work to rescue and recover people suspected to be buried under the rubble is still under way.

"We are still very optimistic that as the recovery effort still continues, we would discover more people. That is why we have ambulances on standby, so that whosoever we discover would be taken to the nearest hospital," the spokesperson said.

He said registration of people suspected to have been victimized by the disaster is still in progress, although he could not provide an update on the latest death toll figures.

He told Xinhua that the government is particularly concerned about any outbreak of cholera in the aftermath of the disaster, hence medical supplies would be direly needed by the government.

"We are very much concerned about any outbreak of cholera. So, whatever medical supplies we get would be greatly appreciated," he said.

Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Madina Rahman, has earlier cautioned people to apply all precautionary measures to avoid catching up with Cholera or any other waterborne diseases .

A release from State House late Tuesday indicated that 83 women, 105 men and 109 children were reported dead during the disaster. As rescue operation is still in progress, the number is expected to rise as more bodies are being transported to the Connaught Hospital Mortuary in Freetown.

According to Baraytay, the government and development partners have deployed social workers in the affected communities to provide psychosocial treatment for affected people.

More relatives on Wednesday have identified some of their loved ones killed by the disaster. Bayraytay said that the burial process would take place at waterloo in the outskirt of Freetown Thursday.