This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-16336396

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
World 'dangerously unprepared' for future disasters World 'dangerously unprepared' for future disasters
(40 minutes later)
 
The world is "dangerously unprepared" for future disasters because rich nations are not doing enough, warns the international development secretary.The world is "dangerously unprepared" for future disasters because rich nations are not doing enough, warns the international development secretary.
Andrew Mitchell blames the failure of several countries to pay into the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).Andrew Mitchell blames the failure of several countries to pay into the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
The UK government has pledged £20m to the fund - in addition to £40m already promised - but an estimated £45m shortfall is still expected next year.The UK government has pledged £20m to the fund - in addition to £40m already promised - but an estimated £45m shortfall is still expected next year.
The international community must "wake up" to the challenge, he said.The international community must "wake up" to the challenge, he said.
The fund, set up by the UN, has been hit hard by a wave of natural disasters this year - the tsunami in Japan; an earthquake in New Zealand; famine in the Horn of Africa; and floods in Pakistan and the Philippines.The fund, set up by the UN, has been hit hard by a wave of natural disasters this year - the tsunami in Japan; an earthquake in New Zealand; famine in the Horn of Africa; and floods in Pakistan and the Philippines.
Mr Mitchell said the increasing numbers of people living in low-lying or famine-prone areas meant the scale of future tragedies would be greater.Mr Mitchell said the increasing numbers of people living in low-lying or famine-prone areas meant the scale of future tragedies would be greater.
The CREF was set up in the wake of the Indian Ocean tsunami on Boxing Day 2004.The CREF was set up in the wake of the Indian Ocean tsunami on Boxing Day 2004.
Mr Mitchell said many countries wait for events to happen before offering money but he said this could affect critical emergency response work.Mr Mitchell said many countries wait for events to happen before offering money but he said this could affect critical emergency response work.
He said in the first few hours of a disaster, when survivors are trapped in the rubble of an earthquake, delays and lack of resources can mean the difference between life and death.He said in the first few hours of a disaster, when survivors are trapped in the rubble of an earthquake, delays and lack of resources can mean the difference between life and death.
"This year the world has been rocked by devastating disasters and the evidence suggests this trend is likely to continue."This year the world has been rocked by devastating disasters and the evidence suggests this trend is likely to continue.
"The past shows that international responses could have been more effective if they had been properly planned and coordinated as part of one single system instead of a patch-quilt approach we see all too often.""The past shows that international responses could have been more effective if they had been properly planned and coordinated as part of one single system instead of a patch-quilt approach we see all too often."
Mr Mitchell said: "The system is in place but too many countries and agencies are failing to back it, leaving the world dangerously unprepared for the scale and number of shocks that lie ahead.Mr Mitchell said: "The system is in place but too many countries and agencies are failing to back it, leaving the world dangerously unprepared for the scale and number of shocks that lie ahead.
"The international community must wake up to this challenge and unite its efforts under one umbrella," he added."The international community must wake up to this challenge and unite its efforts under one umbrella," he added.