Building Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty: IDA’s Role in Mitigating Global Disasters and Enhancing Preparedness
Over 400 natural disasters occur worldwide each year, placing millions of people at risk, particularly those living in countries supported by the International Development Association (IDA). In 2023, these disasters resulted in a staggering $250 billion loss and claimed 74,000 lives globally. Severe regional storms were responsible for 76% of the economic losses. Furthermore, the looming threat of climate change is expected to trigger even more destructive weather events in coastal regions worldwide, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Disasters can be natural (e.g., earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, floods) or human-made (e.g., war, climate change, accidents). The Oxford English Dictionary defines a disaster as "An event or occurrence of a ruinous or very distressing nature; a...