Combating disasters

Natural disasters such as flood or drought cannot be prevented but their impact can be mitigated by pre-emptive measures.

Natural disasters this year have been more serious than last year in their extent and degree of damage. But the death toll is 34 percent lower than last year and the total number of people affected has dropped by 9.4 percent, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

This suggests that the efforts we have made in consolidating river embankments and flood control facilities along major rivers have paid off, and so have the endeavors we have made in upgrading our capability in rescuing residents and delivering timely relief to victims.