Natural disasters have been increasing in frequency, impact, and cost. Manmade disasters add to the toll. Each scenario is unique, but governments and humanitarian groups are working to improve preparedness and response efforts.
JAKARTA,
Nov 4 (IRIN) - Thousands of survivors of an earthquake that
devastated Indonesia's West Sumatra Province are still grappling with a
lack of clean water and adequate sanitation more than a month after the
disaster, relief workers say.