Tulane University gets $5 million grant for global disaster-leadership program

Tulane University has been awarded a $5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help universities in disaster-prone regions in Africa and Asia establish a network of education and development programs in disaster resilience and leadership.

“Disasters are not natural. They are man-made reactions to natural hazards and conflict. Although we cannot prevent natural hazards, we certainly can reduce their negative impacts by planning smart, being well-prepared and responding quickly and effectively, all of which requires strong local leadership,” said the grant’s principal investigator Ky Luu, executive director of Tulane’s Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy (DRLA). “These strategies will save lives, protect livelihoods and alleviate suffering in vulnerable communities.”