
In 2008, the Commission included Southern Africa and Indian Ocean as the 8th region of its DIPECHO programme. This region constituted of 10 countries exposed to hazards, climatic and geological is somewhat distinct from others: The main impact of hazards is severe food and livelihood insecurity rather than immediate loss of lives and goods. In addition, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) was locally in its infancy with few, if any, community preparedness programmes. Four countries were selected for DIPECHO first plan of action (2008-2010): Comoros, Malawi, Madagascar and Mozambique. Comoros program was terminated before the evaluation date. The scope of the evaluation covers both Action Plans including the Food Aid DRR projects not funded under DIPECHO. This evaluation is reviewing different options to continue the Commission's DRR programme, for example: - To keep the interventions focused on the same main natural hazards but to expand to new geographical areas (i.e. countries) thus far not covered by DIPECHO; - To include other natural hazards and adjust accordingly the geographical area.