Landslide fatalities Are greater than previously thought Landslides kill ten times more people across the world than was previously thought, according to research from Durham’s International Landslide Centre.
The researchers believe that it will help policymakers to prioritise areas for action to manage hazards and to lessen the risks to human populations living in hotspot regions.
The Durham Fatal Landslide Database (DFLD) of hazards shows that 32,300 people died in landslides between 2004 and 2010. Previous estimates ranged from 3,000 to 7,000 fatalities.
The findings were published in the journal Geology and lead researcher, Professor David Petley, Co-Director of Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience said:
The DFLD provides the first detailed analysis of fatal landslides across the world and maps hotspots including China, Central and South America, and India.
“The environmental effects of landslides are often devastating for nearby human populations.
“We need to recognise the extent of the problem and take steps to manage what is a major environmental risk to people across the world. Our database will enable us to do this by identifying areas most at risk and could help to save thousands of lives.” Widespread international coverage including BBC News, Reuters, Nature, European broadsheets (Der Spiegel, Le Monde, etc.) and across Indonesia, China and India.
Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah Middle East Security Research Programme On 13th September we welcomed HH Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah of Kuwait, Professor Rasha al-Sabah, and a delegation of guests to mark the UK launch of a new international research programme. A generous gift from His Highness of £2.5million has enabled the School of Government and International Affairs to establish in perpetuity the Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah Programme in International Relations, Regional Politics and Security which will promote research underpinning a greater understanding of Middle Eastern societies and cultural understanding between our two countries. The Al-Sabah Programme will improve understanding of the security of sovereign nations, in particular the smaller and more vulnerable states in the Middle East and
beyond, and identify those factors which can lead to insecurity and how external powers and bodies such as the United Nations Security Council can respond.
through its publication series, to disseminate the best new and innovative research and analysis on regional politics and related security matters.
Research into such matters within the Al-Sabah Programme at the University will yield immense benefit to decision makers, policy analysts and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on the world stage.
The launch event featured a symposium on ‘Asianisation of the Middle East’ which was held in the Great Hall of Durham Castle. To watch a video of the event, go to www.durham.ac.uk/tour/events/al-sabah
The Programme is led by the HH Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah Chair, Professor Anoush Ehteshami, who drives the research agenda of the Programme. The Programme also provides dedicated support for postgraduate and doctoral students in the area of international and regional security; organises international conferences and symposia; and aims,