Margareta Wahlström, the United Nations Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, launched a new study, Making Cities Resilient Report 2012 (PDF 41.61kB), at the World Urban Forum in Naples, Italy. The report “provides a global snapshot of how local governments reduce disaster risk.”

The study was conducted by the International Institute for Environment and Development. Senior Fellow, Dr. David Satterthwaite explained, “The Making Cities Resilient campaign is proving that despite a rise in extreme weather events and the threats posed by climate change, urbanization does not have to lead to an increase in risk. Where city and local governments demonstrate leadership and competence in working with low-income populations living in informal settlements flood impacts can be reduced and the threats from other natural hazards minimised.”

In her remarks Ms. Wahlström said, “Economic losses to disasters have averaged at least $100 billion annually over the last twenty years. Most of this damage can be avoided through better risk management and investment in social and structural infrastructure. The 40-plus cities profiled in this report were able to leverage whatever resources they had including the creativity of their citizens to reduce the impact of disaster events on their communities. Six months after joining the campaign the local government of Siquirres in Costa Rica took action of flood protection and in February 2012 the usual annual flooding was avoided. There are many cities like Squirres which are proving that if you manage your risks, you build your resilience to disasters and avoid unnecessary disruption in the home and the workplace.”