Every year weather-related disasters kill an average of 45,000 people and a further 245 million people are affected through homelessness, loss of income and destruction of infrastructure. The vast majority of those killed or affected in these events live in developing countries. The number and severity of these events is likely to increase. The UN issued 15 disaster response appeals in 2007, and all but one of these were related to climate and weather events.
from this great (and disturbing article)
No Guarantees 