Real Cost of Disasters Is 10 Times Higher Than Previously Thought, Says UN

Real Cost of Disasters Is 10 Times Higher Than Previously Thought, Says UN

Churches should note: As countries face increasingly steep bills from natural hazards, the true cost of disasters is actually 10 times higher than previously estimated, with far-reaching effects across healthcare, housing, education and jobs.

GENEVA – The direct cost of disasters in the world, 202 billion dollars a year, rises to 2.3 trillion dollars (millions) for cascading expenses and damage to ecosystems, indicated an analysis released on Tuesday 27 by a specialized agency of the United Nations. Jenty Kirsch-Wood, expert [...] This article Disasters cost more than two trillion dollars a year was originally published at IPS News Agency

Natural disasters around the world are costing more and more. According to a UN report published on Tuesday in Geneva, losses reach more than $200 billion a year and even nearly $2,300 billion have seen the indirect effects.