The consequences of natural disasters that occur on the planet have their reflection in economic issues since they bring a series of losses that, according to a United Nations report, it is even ten times greater than what was calculated At first as direct costs.
This analysis not only puts a figure to reality (until 2.3 billion dollars in real economic losses), but it warns that these costs will continue to increase as the climatic crisis progresses. As expected, the Developing countries They will be the ones that take the worst part in this regard and are the ones that will have a more bulky debt to cover the recovery expenses after a natural disaster.
These are just some of the conclusions of this report that will be discussed at a meeting in June in Geneva of the global platform for the reduction of disaster risk where it will be sought to define strategies that promote Effective investments in prevention and adaptation to these natural disasters.
Natural disasters cause ten times more economic losses than it is calculated
Natural disasters cause up to 2.3 billion dollars in real economic losses, ten times more than is calculated as direct costs due to the multiplier effects they have and the damage that causes ecosystems, reveals a report produced by the United Nations and made public this Tuesday.
The study warns that these costs will continue to grow as the climate crisis intensifies and that developing countries will carry the worst part, among other reasons for the debt they must contract to cover the Response and rehabilitation expenses that have to incur after each catastrophe.
Likewise, it shows how the decisions that are made now, especially in terms of territorial planning, investments and energy model, will determine the exposure of populations to future risks.
One of the most alarming examples mentioned is the rapid melting of the Thwaites glacier (Antarctica), which could cause an increase in sea level of more than half a meter, which in turn would threaten coastal infrastructure that have a value greater than 1.8 billion dollars. In addition, such a situation would seriously affect island states such as Kiribati and the Marshall Islands, as well as coastal megacities such as New York or Yakarta, the report indicates.
Another effect of the increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters is the increase in the costs of insurance premiums, the decrease in coverage and that insurance companies begin to withdraw from certain places because they do not find it profitable to continue offering insurance there.
An example of this is happening in Australia, where more than half a million homes could be left without insurance in 2030 for the important risk of floods.
Faced with this scenario, the report shows that the resources are still mostly allocated to the emergency response: 96% of the 137,000 million dollars destined for development assistance related to disasters between 2005 and 2017 was used in relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation. Only 4 % (about 5.2 billion) was invested in prevention and preparationthe report requires.
Among the largest inequalities that the report exhibits the attention that the direct losses of 69,570 million dollars suffered in 2023 by disasters in North America represented only 0.23 % of its GDP, while the losses of 4,300 million recorded in micronsia amounted that same year to 46.1 % of its GDP.
«This demonstrates the enormous relative weight of disasters in the Small and vulnerable economiess », warns the UN.
The conclusions of this report will be debated at a meeting that will hold the Global platform for disaster risk reduction to define strategies that promote effective investments in disaster prevention and adaptation. EFE / ECOTICIAS.com