Glossary

Official development assistance (ODA)

Often understood as ‘aid’. The official definition is: “Resource flows to countries and territories on the DAC List of ODA Recipients (developing countries) and to multilateral agencies which are: (a) undertaken by the official sector; (b) with promotion of economic development and welfare as the main objective; (c) at concessional financial terms. In addition to financial flows, technical co-operation is included in aid. Grants, loans and credits for military purposes and transactions that have primarily commercial objectives are excluded. Transfer payments to private individuals (e.g. pensions, reparations or insurance payouts) are in general not counted.” (OECD 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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We explore the key issues in developing a methodology for calculating pre-arranged funding.

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This paper argues that civil society organisations play a vital role in ensuring that crisis financing approaches are designed and delivered effectively.

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other key terms

Disaster risk financing

Financial arrangements made in advance to pay for disaster prevention, response and recovery.

Hazard

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

Preparedness

Skills, systems and resources developed to respond effectively to likely future crises.

Crisis protection gap

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

Disaster

A severe event causing widespread harm that exceeds a community’s ability to cope alone.

Total crisis financing

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