PRIVATE SECTOR MUST ENGAGE IN DISASTER RISK REDUCTION TO AVOID ECONOMIC LOSSES – UN LESSON LEARNED OF LACK OF PRIVATE PLANNING IN UNITED STATES DISASTER "KATRINA"

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 15 May 2013 11:00:00 -0400
Subject: PRIVATE SECTOR MUST ENGAGE IN DISASTER RISK REDUCTION TO
AVOID ECONOMIC LOSSES – UN
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

PRIVATE SECTOR MUST ENGAGE IN DISASTER RISK REDUCTION TO AVOID
ECONOMIC LOSSES – UNNew York, May 15 2013 11:00AMThe United Nations
today <"http://www.unisdr.org/archive/33003">warned that economic
losses from disasters have spun out of control and called on the
world's business community to incorporate disaster risk management to
their investment strategies to avoid further losses.

"Governments bear the responsibility for disaster risk reduction. But
the level of risk is also related to the where and the how of
investment by the private sector, which is responsible for 70 to 85
per cent of worldwide investment in new buildings, industry and
critical infrastructure," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the
launch of the latest global assessment report
(<"http://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/gar">GAR13) by the UN Office for
Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).

Entitled <em>Creating Shared Value: the Business Case for Disaster
Risk Reduction</em>, the report, which carried out reviews of disaster
losses in 56 countries, found that direct losses from floods,
earthquakes and drought have been underestimated by at least 50 per
cent. In this century alone, losses from disasters amount to some $2.5
trillion.

"Let us not shy away from the meaning of these numbers: Economic
losses from disasters are out of control," Mr. Ban said. "They can
only be reduced in partnership with the private sector, including
investment banks and insurance companies. For too long, markets have
placed greater value on short-term returns than on sustainability and
resilience. At long last, we are coming to understand that reducing
exposure to disaster risk is not a cost but an opportunity to make
that investment more attractive in the long term."

The report highlights how the transformation of the global economy
over the last 40 years has led to rapid increases in disaster risk in
low-, medium- and high-income countries, with the search for lower
costs and higher productivity driving business into hazard-prone
locations with little or no consideration of the consequences on
global supply chains.

"In a world of ongoing population growth, rapid urbanization, climate
change and an approach to investment that continually discounts
disaster risk, this increased potential for future losses is of major
concern," said Margareta Wahlström, the Secretary-General's Special
Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Of the 1,300 small- and medium-sized businesses in six disaster-prone
cities in the Americas surveyed by the report, three-quarters have
suffered business disruptions related to damaged or destroyed power,
telecommunications and water utilities. However, only a minority of
them – 14.2 per cent in the case of companies with fewer than 100
employees – had a basic approach to crisis management.

"In the wake of the global financial crisis, disaster risk stands as a
new multi-trillion dollar class of toxic assets of unrealized
liabilities. The catastrophic economic losses from the Japan
earthquake/tsunami, floods in Thailand and the destructive Super Storm
Sandy show clearly the extent of what is at stake."

The report stressed that prevailing business models in urban
development, agribusiness, and coastal tourism – three key investment
sectors – continue to drive disaster risk, and calls for partnerships
between the government and private sector to put in place and improve
crisis management strategies

"The beginnings of changing attitudes in the private sector now need
to transform into a more systematic approach to disaster risk
management in partnership with the public sector to make the world a
safer place," Ms. Wahlström said, adding that this will be a major
focus of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction to be held in
Geneva next week. May 15 2013 11:00AM
________________
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

Follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/UN.News.Centre) and
Twitter (http://twitter.com/UN_News_Centre)

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to: http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/


--
President of The United States
Guy Ralph Perea Sr President of The United States
Weatherdata1046am0426 a Discussion Group of
Weatherdata<http://groups.google.com/group/weatherdata1046am0426>
USFMSC
http://www.cityfreq.com/ca/avalon/>
QUALIFY QICP
OCCUPS
http://www.occupationalinfo.org/02/025062010.html
goldlandabstracts; link check
own search engine - The United
States International Policies
http://apps.facebook.com/faceblogged/?uid=1340855784
http://lnk.ms/8d5gl aol
http://groups.google.com/group/united-states-of-american
http://twitter.com/ptusss Federal Communication
Commission<http://columbiabroadcast.spaces.live.com/>

Ambassador Chevy Chase; Kevin Corcran; Jack Nickolas; Cher; Shirley Temple
Black; Liza Minnille; Ansari; Ernest Tascoe; Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
Agent Jodie Foster; Department of Veterans Affairs Director George H.W. Bush
Title 22 USCS section 1928 (b) The e-mail
transmission may contain legally privileged information that
is intended only for the individual or entity recipient, you are hereby,
notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or reliance upon the
contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
E-mail transmission in error, please reply to the sender, so arrangements
can be made for proper delivery. Title 42
USCS section 192 etseq Margie Paxton Chief of Childrens Bureau
Director of The United States Department of Human Services; Defendant
Article IV General Provisions Section 2
(Supreme Law of The Land) The Constitution of The United States "Any thing
in The Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary Notwithstanding"
Contrary to Law (of an act or omission) illegal;
https://twitter.com/presidentus1