Poor countries to get little benefit from new disaster risk deal

A new international agreement on disaster risk reduction will contribute little to adequate preparedness of the vulnerable countries which will face more catastrophes as a result of climate change in the coming days.
In the agreement, rich countries have avoided making the commitments required to ensure that the world's populations, particularly those in poor countries who are most vulnerable to climate-related disasters are prepared, said a release Thursday.   
The agreement on disaster risk reduction signed by world leaders Wednesday in Sendai, Japan was strongly criticised by aid agencies, including ActionAid, that said rich countries are shirking their responsibility to respond to the growing impact of climate change.
 "The agreement falls short of what is required for the international community to prepare adequately for disasters, which will increase in scale and frequency in the next decade as a result of climate change," said the release issued by ActionAid Bangladesh.
The five-day UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction concluded in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
ActionAid Bangladesh also participated in the conference and raised voice about the perspectives of the countries like Bangladesh. ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir said, "Without adequate investments to eradicate poverty and reduce risks, we will see women disproportionately impacted by disasters."
"Rich nations have pushed making financial commitments to reduce disaster risk to a separate round of financing negotiations later in the year. Without greater commitments on financing, the results for vulnerable communities in poor countries will be catastrophic," she added.
 ActionAid International Policy Manager on Climate Change Harjeet Singh said seven global targets agreed in the new disaster risk deal is a step forward. However, weak targets without numbers and no commitment to finance make them meaningless for those most vulnerable in developing countries.
 "Over the past four days in Sendai, we have seen rich nations gradually erode commitments to deliver money to the developing countries to prepare for and respond to increasing disasters and climate change impacts," Said Harjeet.
 The World Conference attended by over 180 of the world's governments has provided an opportunity for world leaders to agree upon an international strategy for dealing with disasters over the next fifteen years.    
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