The Challenge in Disaster Reduction for the Water and Sanitation Sector

In the current global situation, characterized by conditions of inequity and extreme poverty, environmental degradation and climate change have caused an increase in the occurrence of natural hazards such as landslides, intense rains, hurricanes, drought, fires, and earthquakes. Furthermore, rapid and unplanned urban growth has increased the number of settlements on unstable, flood-prone, and high-risk land where phenomena such as landslides, rains, and earthquakes have devastating consequences. Socioeconomic factors increase the vulnerability of communities as well as existing infrastructure and services.