Tackling exposure: placing disaster risk management at the heart of national economic and fiscal policy

This paper considers whether economic and fiscal planning at national levels can reduce exposure to disasters, before considering the necessary steps countries must take to achieve economic development in a more climate-resilient way. It contains practical examples from which others can learn, including cases such as Hurricane Mitch in Honduras, tropical storms in El Salvador, hurricanes and tropical storms in Mexico, extreme temperatures and rainfall-related landslides in Central Asia and seismic risk in Nepal, involving tools and methods related to risk assessment, risk financing options, sector-level mainstreaming and legislation.

The paper aims to support decision-makers to better understand the role of national economic policy, fiscal policy and development planning in disaster risk management, and encourage more concerted action to tackle exposure to disasters. It emphasises on climate-related disasters, although the findings apply more broadly.