UAE has potential to lead the way towards a disaster-resilient society, says UN Official
By Sumaira FH
The rapid urbanisation of Gulf countries in recent decades has highlighted the urgent need for urban risk management to be understood and put into practice, said a official.
Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½, explained that this could be attained via building codes, land use regulation, natural resource management, adaptation to climate change and upgrading informal settlements.
Speaking to the Emirates Agency, WAM, on the sidelines of the Urban Forum, WUF10, Mizutori said that one of the biggest challenges in , and the East region, is to mitigate the risk of potential flooding and the associated damage to people, the environment and the economy.
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"The combination of a naturally hot and arid environment, rapid mass urbanisation, industrial development, a growing population and increased consumption means that whilst is a naturally limited supply; when rain comes, the risk of flooding is significant," she explained.
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