Despite solid evidence of the benefits of reducing disaster risk, it remains difficult to motivate investment in disaster risk reduction. International debate emphasizes investments that generate multiple dividends—through reducing loss of life and livelihoods, unlocking development potential, and creating development cobenefits.

CDKN aims to help decision-makers in developing countries design and deliver climate compatible development. Managing climate-related disaster risk is a high priority for CDKN’s core audience: national planners and policy-makers in developing countries.

This paper assesses the high financial vulnerability to the impacts of extreme weather events of national governments, in particular developing countries and small island states.

This case study analyzes the costs and benefits of alternative strategies for mitigating the impact of drought on rural livelihoods in Uttar Pradesh. It explores both insurance mechanisms for spreading drought risk and, as an alternative, the development of groundwater irrigation for eliminating such risk.