The world’s costliest climate disasters in 2023 will mainly hit poorer countries, according to a new report.
A study by the international charity Christian Aid found that catastrophic floods and bushfires have a greater economic impact in places where housing is less durable and there are few means of rebuilding.
The findings reveal a “global postcode lottery stacked against the poor”, the charity said.
The group is calling on world leaders to step up funding for climate action and increase investment in early warning and early action.
“World Postal Code Lottery”
The Christian Aid report lists the 20 most costly climate disasters per capita worldwide, resulting in deaths and deaths. kicked out Millions of people.
In this study, the relative economic impact flood, typhoon and drought It varies considerably depending on the country.
The charity found that the highest per capita cost of a natural disaster is devastating bushfires. Hawaii August – Average of over $4,000 (€3,600) per person.
This far exceeds the Guam storm in May, which had the second-highest per capita cost (approximately $1,500 (€1,350) per capita).
Christian Aid explains that disasters are more severe in countries where housing is less resilient and therefore less able to withstand disasters.
These are also places where many people work in agriculture, which is vulnerable to extreme weather, and where there is no government. investment In prevention or reconstruction.
Cyclone Freddy, which appears on the list, hit Malawi’s population in 2023.
“The worst fallout from Cyclone Freddy is something I will never forget: the destruction of the only home we worked hard to build,” says Mofolo Chikaonda from southern Malawi.
“Cyclone Freddie was a reminder that the communities contributing the least to the climate crisis are the ones worst hit,” said Nushrat Chaudhry, climate justice policy advisor at Christian Aid in Bangladesh. added.
“Loss and damage The cost is hundreds of billions of dollars annually in developing countries alone. ”
Patrick Watt, chief executive of Christian Aid, called it a “global postcode lottery stacked against the poor”.
“In poor countries, people are often less prepared for climate-related disasters and often have fewer resources to recover,” he says. “As a result, more people will die and the recovery will be slower and more unequal.”
Rich countries need to invest in climate finance
The report calls on world leaders in developed countries to provide more channels. funding Entering climate finance.
“It is clear that the costs of the climate crisis are already falling heavily on some of the world’s poorest people,” said Mohamed Addo, director of PowerShift Africa, a Nairobi-based climate and energy think tank. .
“It also shows that there are big holes in the situation these days. COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai: Lack of funding for developing countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change,” Addo added.
“Unless this large adaptation gap is addressed, humanity’s response to the climate crisis will fail.”
What were the costliest climate disasters in 2023?
In 2023, all six populous continents experienced the world’s worst climate disaster on record.
The costliest climate disasters per capita are:
1. HawaiiUSA, wildfires – $4,161 (€3,760)
2. Guam, Arashi – $1,455 (€1,310)
3. Vanuatu, Storm – $947 (860 euros)
4. New Zealand, Storm – $468 (420 euros)
5. New Zealand, Floods – $371 (335 euros)
6. ItalyFlood – $164 (150 euros)
7. Libya, Floods – $105 (95 euros)
8. Peru, floods – $66 (60 euros)
9. Drought, Spain – $50 (45 euros)
10. Storm, Myanmar – $41 (37 euros)
11. Floods, Chile – $39 (35 euros)
12. Haiti, Floods – $36 (32 euros)
13. Storm, Mexico – $35 (31 euros)
14. Chile, wildfires – $30 (€27)
15. Storm, USA – $25 (23 euros)
16. China, Floods – $23 (21 euros)
17. Peru, Storm – $20 (€18)
18. Malawi, Storm – $17 (€15)
19. Storm, USA – $16 (14 euros)
20. Peru, Floods – $9 (8 euros)