Glossary

Crisis protection gap

The difference between total expected contingent liabilities of national or international responders (i.e. the costs they can expect to incur in responding to crises) and the expected funding available to meet these costs through pre-arranged financing mechanisms.

Learn more

A Year in Review 2024–25 shows how the Centre for Disaster Protection is turning ideas into impact.

Read more

This report outlines ten strategic recommendations for closing the crisis protection gap, providing an ambitious roadmap for the next decade.

Read more

This report synthesises research exploring the feasibility of producing quantitative estimates of the costs of crisis protection across a variety of geographies and crisis types.

Read more

This paper examines the evidence on how to prepare better for disasters.

Read more
other key terms

Basis risk

The gap between measured indicators and real losses causing payouts to differ from actual damage.

Sovereign insurance

Sovereign insurance is insurance coverage purchased by a national government to protect its budget against the financial impacts of disasters.

Risk retention

When governments retain and finance disaster costs themselves.

Crisis risk

The likelihood of harm or loss from crises shaped by hazards, exposure, vulnerability and capacity.

Indemnity insurance

Insurance that pays based on assessed losses after damage to a specific asset.

Ex ante

Actions, decisions or financial arrangements made before a disaster or crisis occurs.