Investing in nature to reduce disaster losses

•  In August 2018, torrential rains led to major floods in the south Indian state of Kerala, forcing the evacuation of at least a million people and causing almost 500 casualties and an estimated US$ 3.8 billion in losses.
• In advance of the 19^th International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, on 13 October, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) released a report highlighting that direct economic losses from climate-related disasters increased by a staggering 151% between 1998 and 2017. 
• Over these 20 years, India lost US$ 79.5 billion to disasters. 2017 was a particularly costly year worldwide and 2018 might prove even costlier.
• Investing in nature - through ecosystem protection and restoration - can significantly reduce such losses. Ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, sand dunes and mangroves can act as natural buffers to reducing many types of hazard events while providing women and men with food and income.
• The close inter-linkages between sound environmental management, climate change impacts and disaster responses require a more systematic and comprehensive approach to disaster risk management.