Vanuatu and Tonga top the world for disaster risk Featured
The destruction left in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Gita in Tonga
28 February, 2019. Vanuatu has been identified as the country with the highest disaster risk in the world and Tonga is in second place.
The World Risk Index for 2018 ranked 172 countries.
Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Timor-Leste and Kiribati are among nine island states in the top 15 nations at risk of natural disaster.
The report by German researchers said these countries are extremely vulnerable to cyclones, earthquakes, flooding and sea level rise.
It said disasters can have a massive and long lasting impact on children and their development, and recommends children be actively involved in disaster education and preparedness.
The report also said child protection policies should be included in all plans to tackle extreme natural events.
- RNZI
