More with Less

Overview

Natural and human-made disasters are increasing around the world. Hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, and resultant famine, floods, and armed conflicts are constant reminders of the frailty of our human race. Global warming may cause whole island states to be submerged as the oceans rise. In the past these acute and recurring crises have been met by the international community responding to UN and media appeals. The economic collapse of nations is now a reality; some of those most affected had been traditional, generous donors to disaster relief operations. It is unlikely-probably impossible-that they will be able to continue to contribute overseas when their own domestic needs are unmet.

A recent New York Times front page report suggested that one of the few domestic issues to have bipartisan support was to cut the foreign aid budget. This book analyzes the global economic forecast and the United Nations pattern of philanthropy, provides a case study of how one nation with a tradition of giving will cope in the face of a marked reduction in flexible funds, and then provides thoughtful chapters on new approaches to disaster preparedness and disaster response. Among the contributors are the director of UNESCO, the UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian assistance, the secretary-general's special representative for disaster risk reduction, and fresh suggestions from three well-known global entrepreneurs.

In his chapter, "Non-communicable Diseases and the New Global Health," CFR Senior Fellow Thomas J. Bollyky discusses the rise of noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries, United Nations' efforts to address this rapidly emerging health problem, and paths for collective action.

Thomas J. Bollyky

Bloomberg Chair in Global Health; Senior Fellow for International Economics, Law, and Development; and Director of the Global Health Program

All royalties from this book go to the training of humanitarian workers.