In an equally exposed village nearby, where a disaster reduction pilot programme was in place, there were no deaths. In China, where extensive disaster control policies have been introduced over the years, the death toll from floods has fallen dramatically. Flooding cost more than 3,000 lives in China in 1998, but similar floods in 1931 and 1954 cost 140,000 and 33,000 respectively. Prevention strategies saved tens of thousands of lives. While much can be done at the local level with modest financial resources, some major risk reduction and disaster prevention programs require levels of funding that many poor countries simply cannot afford.
International assistance is both critical and cost-effective here.
We now know what has to be done, what is needed is the political will to do it.