A humanitarian group based in the United Kingdom has called on world governments to focus on protecting communities identified as the most vulnerable to massive coastal flooding brought about by climate change.

In its recent report, Christian Aid is urging government leaders and the public in general to make efforts to combat the threat of global warming on multiple fronts. One particular concern the group highlighted is the possibility of widespread flooding, which could devastate coastal cities by 2060.

The report (PDF) identified Kolkata in India as the most heavily populated city at risk of severe flooding by 2070. The city's residents are expected to balloon to more than 14 million individuals by that time. Other highly vulnerable cities mentioned in the report include Mumbai in India, Dhaka in Bangladesh, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Guangzhou in China.

The predicted coastal flooding could also cost Miami, Florida as much as $3.5 billion worth of property damage, the most for any city included in the Christian Aid's report.

"Cruelly, it will be the poor that will suffer the most," study co-author Dr. Alison Doig said. "Although the financial cost to cities in rich countries will be crippling, wealthier people will at least have options to relocate and receive insurance protection."

To prevent such catastrophes, Christian Aid suggested that the developed countries of the world should increase funding for efforts to protect coastal communities against massive flooding on top of their ongoing efforts to curb the effects of global warming.

The group said this can be done by building seawalls along the coast, restoring wetlands in order to help absorb flood water and creating better systems of collecting and redirecting the flow of water during storms. It might also be necessary to relocate residents who are living in low-lying areas to keep them from the dangers of flooding.

However, Christian Aid pointed out that such preventive measures will come at a price. It is urging rich nations to increase their funding for flood protection worldwide by tenfold, bringing it to $5 billion.

The group cited an earlier statement by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in which he outlined that for every $1 people spend on preventing disaster risks now will help save $7 worth of damages later on.

Photo: John Dal | Flickr