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Posted by
Jean Pesme, 12 July 2023
Global studies have shown that disasters – in general – often affect women harder than men. At a recent webinar on “Women in Risk Finance," I had the privilege of listening to accomplished women leaders share their perspectives and experiences on financial resilience in the face of natural disasters and how gender plays a critical role in a country’s climate and disaster risk finance (DRF) plans. Even after years of significant economic and social progress, women continue to face barriers in... Keep reading
Posted by
Tatiana Skalon, 11 May 2023
In just four days in February, 200 avalanches hit the mountain regions of Tajikistan, sweeping away houses, rendering critical roads impassable, and killing 19 people. These kinds of disasters are nothing new to Central Asia. Over the past two decades, the region lost over $1.5 billion to natural disasters, affecting over 2.5 million people . A major flood—say, one with a one percent probability of occurring annually—could cause devastating losses : from $220 million in the Kyrgyz Republic to $... Keep reading
Posted by
John Plevin, 19 April 2023
Niger is a Sahelian, landlocked and low-income country of approximately 25 million inhabitants with an estimated GDP per capita being among the lowest in the world (US$ 591 in 2021). The country is exposed to multiple risks of fragility, conflict and violence which coupled with extreme weather conditions and natural disasters result in increased food insecurity and other challenges. Successive shocks, most recently the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2020 flooding disaster only heighten the fragility... Keep reading
Posted by
Evie Calcutt, 18 April 2023
Written by Mulder Mkutumula (Scalable Coordinator, Government of Malawi), Evie Calcutt (Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank), Chipo Msowoya (Senior Social Protection Specialist, World Bank), Alejandra Campero Peredo (Risk Finance Consultant, World Bank) With an economy that relies heavily on rain-fed agriculture, Malawi is increasingly vulnerable to climate shocks . In recent history, Malawi has seen increases in the frequency and severity of droughts, which cause the poorest and most... Keep reading
Posted by
Joaquin Toro, 21 March 2023
Discounts, whether a percentage off, a buy-one-get-one-free deal, or an online coupon code, are a great way for people to pay less for what they want, and stretch their budgets. Governments, too, want to make the most of their money, especially for unexpected events such as disasters which are costly and the full amount must be paid. The 21st century has seen an evolution in the way we manage disaster risk and how governments are paying the disaster bill. We know that disasters hinder... Keep reading
Posted by
Tenin Fatimata Dicko , 16 March 2023
In conversation with Fatimata Dicko, Senior Financial Sector Specialist Ninety percent of my cousins still live in the rural areas of Mali, working in livestock and agriculture," Fatimata (prefers Fatima) starts off, "Both these sectors are highly exposed to the effects of climate change. My motivation to work in disaster risk finance (DRF) is really to provide solutions to help people who are in a position like that of my own family. "Fatima recognizes the privilege and power she holds as the... Keep reading
Posted by
Lai Ming So (Ann), 14 February 2023
Pacific Developing Countries (PDCs) are among the countries most vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters, globally. A 2012 World Bank Group study revealed that of the 20 countries in the world with the highest average annual disaster losses, as scaled by gross domestic product (GDP), eight are Pacific Island Countries. As a majority of people in PDCs and a significant share of their infrastructure are concentrated within meters of the coastline, the power sector in these nations is... Keep reading