Hazards of nature, risks to development: an IEG evaluation of World Bank assistance for natural disasters

This evaluation of the World Bank’s experience with natural disasters was done by the Independent Evaluation Group-World Bank at the request of the Bank’s Board of Executive Directors. Natural disasters are affecting development in many countries, setting back hard-won development gains. This report is a comprehensive review of disaster preparedness and response. The report calls for new thinking that integrates predictable disaster risks into development programs. It concludes that it is possible to anticipate where many natural disasters will strike, yet expresses concerns that the World Bank's disaster assistance efforts are underutilizing these vital lifesaving forecasts.