Some fascinating insights here, Roger. What do others think ? You’re correct that the graphic representation indicates there has been a steady overall decline in disasters (which includes both natural & technological) since 2000. The breakdown of figures from 2006 shows that the trend is a little more pronounced in technological rather than natural disasters (‘tho both have declined). As Roger suggests, this trend is probably mostly due to improvements in DRR (covered in Mods 3a/3b), and to be honest, I’m not sure enough credit is given to the positive improvements over this period. This can be borne out in last years hurricanes (Irma/Maria/Harvey) in the Caribbean, as well as last month’s TC Gita (Samoa/Tonga), as well as 2015 TC Pam (Vanuatu) and 2016 TC Winston (Fiji). Devastating as these were, the death toll in each case was in two figures (ie < 100). The exception to this was Hurricane Matthew in 2016, where the death toll was over 500. This possibly due to less developed DRR initiatives across Haiti, which is still coming to grips with the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. We have a new person, Eddy ruble, joining us shortly. He's the Regional DRM Coordinator for a faith-based agency, and he's based in Malaysia. I'm also pulling some material together on the PNG earthquake which hit last week. .
