UN system task team on the post-2015 development agenda: disaster risk and resilience

This thematic think piece addresses the insufficient emphasis that disaster risk and resilience received in the original Millennium Development Goal agenda, despite the relationship between disasters and development. The think piece focuses on how reducing the risks of disasters for predictable events such as major severe weather impact conditions helps to protect both human and economic assets. Issues addressed: (i) disasters and disaster risk are a development challenge, in particular the challenge posed by climate change and weak governance; (ii) how science can inform effective decisions on disaster risk reduction, such as effective early warning systems; (iii) the need for the post-2015 development agenda to recognize disaster risks and resilience and to showcase how economics play a significant role in building resilience.