This report features a review of 15 countries affected by the 2015-16 El Niño and explores lessons learned. The impacts of El Niño appear in the form of droughts, floods and fires. These adverse impacts tend to recur and can, therefore be anticipated, planned for, and mitigated, if not avoided altogether. The report argues that governments should view El Niño occurrences as serious, quasi-periodic threats and enact policies to protect citizens, livelihoods and properties. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) through informed prevention and preparedness merits greater visibility in political decision-making processes. Early-warning systems provide an opportunity to help reduce disaster risk.