In recent years, the direction of global development has shifted from poverty reduction to disaster risk reduction. By viewing sustainable development through a lens of disaster risk reduction, communities worldwide can adopt a more proactive approach that supports long-term development planning as well as emergency interventions when needed. This shift in focus is particularly relevant in the greater Horn of Africa. In this region, climate change and a growing number of natural and man-made disasters have led to an extensive loss of lives, livelihoods and property. Compounding problems, a majority of communities in the Horn of Africa lack sufficient coping mechanisms, making them highly vulnerable to hazards.
