Around 9,500 people lost their lives last year in natural disasters - less than one-tenth of the ten-year average. Had it not been for Hurricane Sandy, material losses from storms, floods, droughts and earthquakes would also have been exceptionally low. Overall damage from natural disasters in 2012 was US$160 billion, less than half the 2011 figure and slightly below the ten-year average, according to the German reinsurance group Munich Re.
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