More with Less Disasters in an Era of Diminishing Resources

Natural and man-made disasters are increasing around the world. Hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts and resultant famine, floods and armed conflicts are constant reminders of the frailty of our human race. Global warming may cause whole island states to be submerged as the oceans rise. In the past these acute - and chronic, recurring - crises have been met by the international community responding to UN and media appeals. The economic collapse of nations is now a reality; some of those most affected had been traditional, generous donors to disaster relief operations. It is unlikely - probably impossible - for them to continue to contribute overseas when their own domestic needs are unmet. A recent New York Times front page report suggested that one of the few issues to have bipartisan support was to cut the foreign aid budget. This book analyzes the global economic forecast and the United Nations pattern of philanthropy, provides a case study of how one nation with a tradition of giving will cope in face of a marked reduction in the worth of their currency, and then provides thoughtful chapters on new approaches to disaster preparedness and disaster response. Among the contributors are the Director of UNESCO, the UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Assistance, the Secretary General's Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, and fresh entrepreneurial suggestions from, among others, Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin group of companies.

Kevin M. Cahill, M.D., is University Professor and Director of the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs at Fordham University. He has served as the Chief Advisor on Humanitarian and Public Health Issues to three Presidents of the United-Nations General Assembly and is the Director of the Tropical Disease Center of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.