Mami Mizutori, who leads the U.N. Office for Disaster Risk Reduction said globally, there had been a notable reduction in the loss of life caused by extreme weather events like storms and floods, as governments stepped up efforts over the past five years to evacuate millions of people to safer places. But the number of people affected by disasters remained “chronically high”, with displacement one of the harshest consequences, pushing many into crowded city slums or to other countries where they do not always get a friendly reception.

Only about 100 countries have so far put formal strategies in place to cut the risk of disasters, she said. Such plans can include things like early warning systems, stronger building codes and a ban on construction in flood-prone areas.