This regional assessment documents experiences on ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) and its linkages with biodiversity in Eastern and Southern Africa. It highlights key entry points and opportunities to catalyse actions for Eco-DRR that embraces the importance of biodiversity and ecosystems. Nine countries were examined for this report: Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The report further analyses the development of policy frameworks at international, regional and local levels. From this, it is clear to see the significant acceptance of the role that biodiversity and ecosystems play in disaster risk reduction. However, Eco-DRR is seldom incorporated into cross-sectorial policies and programmes, resulting in a failure so far to incorporate Eco-DRR into mainstream development initiatives and funding streams.