Vital GEO Graphics

Personal security is threatened by poor living standards. Below, makeshift houses such as these grow and spread along flooded estuaries exposing residents to grave risks. Credit: Mark Edwards/StillPictures

Vulnerability The impacts of extreme weather events fall dis- proportionately on developing countries, such as

Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as well as poor people in all countries.

D ownload G raphic 2

Number of people affected by disasters of natural origin in SIDS

2.0 millions

3.03

5.92

Caribbean

Western Indian Ocean South Pacific

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

Note: Excluding earthquakes, insect infections and volcanic eruptions.

0.2

0

Source: GEO Data Portal, compiled from EM-DAT undated

2001

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2002

2003

2004

1987

22 V I TAL GEO GRAPH I CS