ALTHOUGH natural disasters are unavoidable, the government and communities can work together to prepare for them. Several factors, including the growing global population, expanding livelihoods, rising temperatures, climate change, and deforestation, influence natural disasters.
With regard to deforestation, which plays a crucial role in climate change, the UN World Food Organization issued a report stating that an average of more than 10 million trees were depleted each year during the ten-year period from 2010 to 2020. Deforestation contributes to rising global temperatures. In 2023, the world experienced a temperature increase of 1.45° Celsius compared to the 1850-1900 period. Surveys indicate that 2023 was the hottest year in the past 174 years.
The World Risk Index 2023 assessed the potential for loss and damage across 193 countries. The Philippines recorded the highest risk with an index of 46.8, followed by Indonesia at 43.5 and India at 41.52. Myanmar ranked sixth, with an index of 36.26 for loss and damage.
The year 2024 continues to witness severe impacts from natural disasters around the world, including in Pakistan, China, India, Korea, Vietnam, and several European countries. These regions have faced flash floods and landslides, highlighting the detrimental effects of climate change. In 2023 alone, a total of 399 flash floods resulted in the deaths of 86,473 people, with over 93 million individuals becoming flood victims. These disasters caused economic losses amounting to approximately US$202.7 billion, according to data from the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT).
In nine regions and states of Myanmar, flooding and waterlogging have affected over 80,000 households and nearly a million people, who have experienced the dangers of flash floods. There have been 520 reported deaths or missing persons, and over 100,800 livestock have died. Additionally, more than 70,000 acres of paddy and crop fields have been damaged. Various sectors, including roads, bridges, schools, electricity, and telecommunications, have also suffered significant losses.
Currently, the National Disaster Management Committee is actively developing hazard and risk maps, led by experienced local experts with extensive international experience in disaster management. The initiative aims to incorporate additional lessons into school curricula that focus on reducing natural disaster risks while aligning them with climate change considerations for raising student awareness. Actually, it is essential to empower the younger generation and ensure the participation of all citizens. If the public is educated about natural hazards and acts accordingly, the risk of loss and damage can be minimized.
