Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The World Bank has stated that flooding in urban areas and cities creates a higher risk of increasing poverty in the East Asia-Pacific regions.

"Urban expansion has caused a poorer environment with less public infrastructure and services, and it is more vulnerable because of flooding," said Vice President of World Bank for East Asia and Pacific Pamela Cox in a press release received here on Tuesday.

Cox said the higher risk of poverty caused by flooding had a greater impact on society`s poor, especially women and children.

Besides, flooding also has long term impacts in education, risks of epidemics and a decrease in nutrition.

According to a handbook published by the World Bank, the most effective way to manage the risk of floods is by integrating a combined approach of structural and nonstructural aspects, such as building drainage and flood canals, applying an "urban greening" concept,creating an early warning system, and using an urban planning system to prevent floods.

The handbook was published with financial support from the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) in partnership with the World Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
(T.A060/INE/F001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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