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Natural disasters cost LatAm, Caribbean 11 bln dollars in 10 years

Xinhua, December 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

Economic losses from natural disasters to crops and livestock reached 11 billion U.S. dollars in Latin America and the Caribbean from 2003 and 2013, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Thursday.

A total of 37 natural disasters affected 19 countries in the region, with losses amounting to cumulative 3 percent of the GDP in those countries for that time. 55 percent of losses were caused by floods, 30 percent by drought, and the rest by hurricanes and strong storms.

Brazil was the hardest-hit country in terms of agricultural production. Colombia was severely affected by floods in 2007, 2010 and 2011, Mexico suffered Hurricane Emily and drought in 2011, and Paraguay struggled with drought in 2011 and 2012.

The FAO also said that up to a third of people in Latin America and the Caribbean live in areas at high risk from natural disasters.

According to the organization, climate change and related natural disasters are major obstacles to the accomplishment of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, which are aimed to put an end to hunger, ensure better nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030. Endi