Last month a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Ecuador left over 600 people dead and almost thirty thousand injured, with economic damages projected at more than $3 billion. Unfortunately, events like these are becoming all too commonplace. Impacts from natural disasters are on the rise, posing a growing threat to economies and the lives of millions of people around the world.

In fact, global losses from disasters have nearly quadrupled over the last few decades, from an average of $50 billion per year in the 1980s to close to $200 billion per year over the last decade. Poor people suffer the most in such situations – in the last 20 years, low-income countries experienced just over a quarter of floods, but bore nearly 90 percent  of related casualties.

Trends like population growth and rising urbanization are driving losses in vulnerable regions. Up to 1.4 million people are moving into cities every week, with much of this growth – up to 90 percent through 2050 – happening in Africa and Asia. At the same time, climate change threatens push 100 million more people into poverty by 2030. Examples like these make it clear that disaster risk isn’t static, but rapidly evolving.

More governments, communities, and international organizations are learning that smart investments in preparedness and resilience can keep natural hazards from becoming human catastrophes. These investments can also have other benefits, like spurring jobs and economic growth, more educational opportunities, improved gender equality, environmental protection and can help meet demanding development goals by 2030.

Accurate and reliable disaster risk information is the lynchpin to achieve effective investments.  According to the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR)—a World Bank-managed partnership of 34 countries and nine  international organizations making a compelling case for governments to invest before a disaster strikes requires rapid, rigorous, and regular risk identification. With technology making disaster risk information more accessible than ever, people and governments worldwide are improving their ability to identify risk. Click to read more.

The 5th Australian and New Zealand Disaster and Emergency Management Conference will be held at Jupiters Gold Coast, QLD next week 30-31 May 2016. The Conference theme ‘EARTH, FIRE and RAIN’ will continue to examine issues that impact preparedness, resilience, response and capability.

There is still time to register your attendance at this event. To register for the conference CLICK HERE.

With keynote speakers including; Commissioner Jonathan Coppel, Productivity Commissioner – Natural Disaster Funding, Productivity Commission and Commissioner Katarina Carroll, Commissioner, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services it is the Disaster Management Conference not to be missed.

Conference Co-Chair Christopher Austin ADC says;

“Our countries and our region remain subject to events that have the potential to cause significant disruption, damage, injury and loss of life, and our preparedness and our capacity to respond directly impacts outcomes for affected communities.

The continued exchange of ideas and innovations at this conference will result in improved practices within our industry and ultimately on the ground”.

Delegates may also wish to attend the 2016 Australian and New Zealand Search and Rescue Conference (ANZSAR); Land, Sea & Air which will follow the Disaster and Emergency Management Conference on 1st June discussing the issues and challenges in Search and Rescue and continue the support of professional development in new training, techniques and requirements.

Special discount rates are being offered to those that wish to attend both Conferences.