Glossary

Index

In risk finance, an index is an indicator or measure that is chosen to be a good proxy for a type of shock, and used to determine payouts. For example, tropical cyclone categories used as an index for property damage or area average yield as a measure of lost agricultural production. Modelled estimates of damage costs are also used as indices (Centre for Disaster Protection).

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other key terms

Parametric insurance

Insurance that pays when an agreed indicator reaches a set level, not actual losses.

Other official flows (OOF)

Public funding supporting development that does not meet official aid definitions.

Climate resilient debt clause or 'debt pause clause'

A provision in sovereign debt contracts that enables the borrower to temporarily stop repaying debt service for a pre-agreed period when a predefined event occurs.

Hazard

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

Pre-arranged financing

Financing approved before crises that is released automatically when agreed triggers are met.

Development bank

A public financial institution providing loans, grants and expertise to support development goals.