Imagine a day when a single natural disaster claims nearly one million lives-a true apocalypse. When you think of the loss that this disaster caused, the scale of destruction is almost unthinkable when you consider that it occurred at a time when the global population was only about 5% of what it is today.

This was the 1556 Shaanxi Earthquake, which occurred on January 23, 1556, in the Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces of China. The earthquake, estimated to be of magnitude 8, is considered the deadliest in recorded history, with an estimated 830,000 lives lost.

The quake caused widespread destruction, including the collapse of structures of that time, homes, and entire cities. Apart from the immediate loss of life, the long-term effects included famine, disease, and social upheaval. Considering the scale of the disaster, it is still a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of human life. The catastrophic toll of the Shaanxi earthquake is even worse when compared to today’s population size, thus making it an event of unimaginable scale for its time.

According to most accounts, this fateful date saw more human lives extinguished than any other day in history, with the vast majority of these deaths occurring in the Shaanxi province of northwest China.

According to the South China Morning Post, this most devastating earthquake in Chinese history was also known as the Jiajing earthquake, which occurred during the reign of the Ming dynasty’s Jiajing Emperor. The horrific quake, which occurred simultaneously in the present-day provinces of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, and Gansu, could be felt as far as the southern coast. A plaque, erected three years later, described how “cracks appeared on the ground, out of which water gushed … City walls and houses disappeared into the ground, and plains suddenly folded into hills … The Yellow and Wei rivers were inundated, and the [permanently silted] waters of the Yellow River were clear for several days”.

The most terrible outcome of the Jiajing earthquake was the reported death toll of more than 830,000 people, which, if accurate, would make it the deadliest earthquake in history. The disaster further weakened the Ming dynasty, which was then already in a state of steady decline.

In a bid to rebuild and thrive after the devastation of Hurricane Maria seven years ago, Dominica has turned to an unconventional funding source: selling passports, The Washington Post reported. The Caribbean nation aims to become the world’s most climate-resilient island without accruing massive debt or waiting for promised aid from wealthier nations. By offering citizenship to affluent individuals, often from China and the Middle East, for hundreds of thousands of dollars, Dominica has found a way to fund its ambitious recovery efforts.

The nation’s citizenship programme dates back to the 1990s but has rapidly expanded since the hurricane, becoming the primary source of national revenue. Funds raised have been directed toward critical infrastructure projects, including new medical clinics and residential complexes for those displaced by the storm. Former Foreign Minister Francine Baron calls the initiative a “saviour,” while Finance Minister Irving McIntyre emphasized the need for a “self-dependent form of financing” to tackle climate change.

“This programme means a lot to us. We realised we had to get a self-dependent form of financing to deal with climate change,” Mr McIntyre told The Post.

Despite its success, the programme has raised eyebrows over transparency and security concerns. Although the price for citizenship has recently increased to a minimum of $200,000 (Rs 1.68 crore), it remains one of the most affordable options globally. Some recipients reside in Dominica, a small island with a population of 71,000, known for its lush landscapes.

The aftermath of Hurricane Maria severely damaged the economy, with losses estimated at over double the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit vowed to rebuild better and more resilient, emphasizing the urgent need for funding to mitigate future climate risks.

Dominican officials claim that climate change, largely driven by emissions from wealthier nations, is resulting in hurricanes that are both more frequent and severe.

Dominica’s proactive stance on climate resilience includes substantial investments in housing and infrastructure. The government claims to have funded around 2,000 homes in locations designed to withstand future disasters.

The nation aims to invest in resilient infrastructure to mitigate climate risks while seeking support from developed nations amid a funding shortfall highlighted by the UN in global climate discussions.

While passport sales have become a lifeline, the approach has sparked debates about the potential risks associated with granting citizenship to individuals with unclear backgrounds. Critics argue that such programs may not be adequately scrutinized. The European Union and other international bodies have raised alarms regarding security measures, especially following reports of Dominica issuing passports to individuals from dubious backgrounds.

Despite the scrutiny, the demand for Dominican passports remains robust. With limited flight options to the US, the island has become a hub for those seeking greater mobility and access through alternative citizenship. However, the rapid growth of the programme has prompted calls for greater oversight and accountability.