OneWorld.net (U.S.)

Every year, tens of thousands of people die needlessly because of a lack of information. In its annual World Disasters Report, the International Red Cross says that good information is as vital as adequate aid.

Particularly in hurricanes and floods, many lives can be saved if victims receive early warnings and are properly instructed on emergency procedures. The IRC says many lives could have been spared in the tsunami in Southeast Asia if a good warning system had been in place.

The organisation also said that information needs to be disseminated more quickly through better cooperation with the media. Worldwide, disasters claimed 250,000 lives in 2004, three times as many as the previous year.

SOURCE: Radio Netherlands Wereldomroep