UN report warns on climate change effects

Commissioned by UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and non-governmental organisation (NGO) CARE International, it examined possible consequences of global warming in next 20 to 30 years.

Charles Ehrhart, one of its authors, who serves as Climate Change Coordinator for CARE International said impact of a natural disaster is determined by several factors, such as access to proper equipment, information, as well as ability to exert political influence.

The report cited most effective means to curb human vulnerability to disasters are: boosting ability of local and government institutions to respond to crises; empowering local people to have stronger say in disaster preparedness, response, recovery, rehabilitation; providing services and social protection for most vulnerable populations.