Humans 'more deadly than nature'

Human failure is a bigger killer than nature when disasters hit the world, according to a new report. A study found the choices of politicians, poor decisions and bad management were to blame for the worst catastrophes. 43% of people affected by natural disasters live in south Asia. When natural shocks such as cyclones or tidal waves hit Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal or Sri Lanka, deprivation in these areas is likely to turn events into a humanitarian crisis. Poverty and inequality make natural disasters much more lethal. "The Kashmir earthquake killed 75,000 people. That's more than 12 times as many people as died in Japan's Great Hanshin earthquake, which was of similar strength. Why? Poverty, exclusion, inequality and unsuitable policies raise risks for poor people, women, and minorities especially."