Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alan Duncan and Tony Cunningham

Wednesday 17th July 2013 Commons Chamber

[Sir Tony Cunningham (Workington) (Lab)]

Those who are hit hardest by disasters are almost always the most vulnerable members of society. What steps has the Department taken to ensure that inequality is considered in resilience planning?

[Mr Duncan]

People who live in poverty are indeed the ones who suffer most as a result of natural disasters, which pull them into a cycle of debt, illness and thence even deeper poverty. Investing in measures to help communities to cope with disasters protects lives and livelihoods, and safeguards investment in a country’s development.