‘And now we face a crisis with unprecedented danger that also presents an opportunity like no other.’ Al Gore, former US vice-president. Droughts, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis: these have always happened and will continue to do so. In fact, the number and frequency of disasters is growing. From 1990 to 2000, economic losses from disasters amounted to more than £320 billion, making it more costly than the previous four decades combined. This trend is set to continue as climate change and global warming contribute to an increasing number of disasters. All disasters have a severe impact on people’s lives and the social fabric of their communities. It is essential to strengthen people’s ability to prepare for and recover from disasters as well as reduce future risk. There are practical, effective ways to help poor communities protect their lives and their way of life – and this is what Christian Aid aims to do through its Building Disaster Resilient Communities programme. Incorporating many facets of ‘disaster mitigation and preparedness’ work, this large scale programme, directly benefiting 61,000 people, incorporates risk reduction work into community development projects, and advocates for risk reduction to be included and prioritised in government development policies. Phase 1 of the programme will soon be complete. Christian Aid is now seeking private capital investment to build on the significant developments achieved in Honduras, Malawi and Bangladesh over the last 3 years, in order to build truly sustainable and disaster resilient communities. The three countries are clearly unique, dealing with some very different circumstances. Hence the programmes will vary, with each of them focusing on different disaster preparedness activities: - Bangladesh will focus on capacity building (eg. training, early warning systems), disaster mitigation measures such as building infrastructure, land raising, river bank protection and forestry activities, and advocacy - Honduras will focus on developing sustainable farming practices, establishing family orchards or model farms, post harvest management, disaster mitigation and technical assistance - Malawi will focus on community hazard and risk mapping, disaster risk awareness workshops and mainstreaming, food security, nutrition and food utilisation, environmental and natural resource management, and a revolving community fund. Each country requires an investment of approximately £100K to take its disaster resilience work to the next level. 61,000 people across the three countries will directly benefit, with an increased ability to cope with and recover from natural disasters.