Flood disasters: learning from previous relief and recovery operations

This briefing paper provides a synthesis of and introduction to key lessons from evaluations of relief and recovery/humanitarian response to flooding in the last 20 years from Africa, Asia and the Americas. The paper is intended for people working in relief and recovery operations for floods - those who have to decide if, when and how to intervene. The paper covers lessons for the following key topics which may be relevant in various ways and at different times for flood preparedness, relief and recovery.