Glossary

Disaster

A sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts the functioning of a community or society and causes human, material, and economic or environmental losses that exceed the community’s or society’s ability to cope using its own resources. Though often caused by nature, disasters can have human origins (IFRC, n.d.).

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This study analysed international financial flows to nine countries for the 18 months after recent crises to understand funding timelines and other features.

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other key terms

Total crisis financing

Development funding focused mainly on crisis prevention, preparedness and response activities.

Hazard

A natural or human process that can cause injury, damage or disruption.

Crisis protection gap

The difference between expected crisis costs and funding already arranged to cover them.

Development insurer

An insurer supporting development goals through insurance products and technical assistance.

Contingent liabilities

Possible financial obligations that only become real if specific future events occur.

Sovereign insurance

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