Each year more than 200 million people are affected by floods, tropical storms, droughts, earthquakes, and also operational failures, wars, terrorism, vandalism, and accidents involving hazardous materials. These are part of the wide variety of events that cause death, injury, and significant economic losses for the countries affected. As demonstrated by recent events, natural and manmade hazards can affect anyone in anyplace. From the tsunami in the Indian Ocean to the earthquake in South Asia, from the devastation caused by hurricanes and cyclones in the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, to the intense rains throughout Europe and Asia, hundreds of thousands of persons have lost their lives.
