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Disaster response needs to address misbeliefs about health hazards, respect bereaved, and allow dignified laying to rest Dead body management (pdf) is a key element of disaster response: how corpses are dealt with can have a profound impact and long-lasting effect on the mental health of survivors and communities, say experts.

Today, there are more people at risk from natural hazards than ever before, with those in developing countries particularly at risk. Whilst achieving the correct response to such disasters is critical, so too is forecasting events and planning to minimise their impact. The field of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) plays a critical role in this process, and this report seeks to draw on the excellent work already being done on DRR around the world. The project has been guided by a group of experts from a range of disciplines, and was informed by the best current research across the physical sciences, health, social sciences and economics. Its findings will help UK and international policy-makers navigate a challenging and uncertain future. Download the report or the executive summary below.  You can find all supporting evidence and documentation here.

World's largest insurance market says developing countries such as China, Thailand and Saudi Arabia are under-insured against natural disasters

Ageing populations and urbanisation could leave the world's poorest countries increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters, the UK's chief scientific adviser warned on Tuesday. "Vulnerability will go soaring," said Sir John Beddington. "Extreme events will happen every five years instead of every 20. Vulnerability will come from changing climate, demography and most people living in cities."

"Researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) explain how a recent discovery could help tsunami-prone areas reduce the impact of future disasters. Before the Japanese tsunami of 2011, the inland reach of such an event had been drastically underestimated. Soil samples from affected areas have proved to be the key to designing measures that can mitigate future disasters "

"In what is becoming a larger danger (and potential disaster), activity at Sinabung appears to be increasing daily, with more explosions and resultant pyroclastic flows streaming down the slopes of the volcano (see right) in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Some of these flows are reaching up to 5 km from the summit of Sinabung."

"New Zealand's second largest city was struck by disaster in February 2011 - and debate still rages as to whether it should ape its old character or develop a new one"

"Following the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the UN and other humanitarian organisations scrambled to provide sufficient housing for 1.5 million Haitians. At the end of 2013, around 150,000 people were still living in temporary structures and makeshift tents. Progress to rebuild the country has been slow."

"Around three-quarters of all deaths in earthquakes are due to building collapse - and poor people bear the brunt. As rescue efforts continue in Nepal, Robin Cross argues for safer, more resilient reconstruction"

"Monsoon rains are piling on misery in the worst-hit areas, as UN warns that rising food insecurity shows need to prepare for future disasters and build resilience"