“There is now international acknowledgement that efforts to reduce disaster risks must be systematically integrated into policies, plans and programmes for sustainable development and poverty reduction... Sustainable development, poverty reduction, good governance and disaster risk reduction are mutually supportive objectives and in order to meet the challenges ahead, accelerated efforts must be made.”- Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015.

Climate-related hazards, including drought, floods, cyclones, sea-level rise and extreme temperatures, have enormous impact on the socio-economic development of a society. The frequency, magnitude and duration of damaging climate conditions are changing. It is now widely understood that efforts to address the impacts of adverse climatic conditions on human development must be undertaken within the context of a longerterm vision of development. UNDP is supporting a wide range of countries to manage risks related to climate variability and change through the Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project (TASP).

“The starting point for reducing disaster risk ... lies in the knowledge of the hazards and the physical, social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities ... and of the ways in which hazards and vulnerabilities are changing in the short and long term, followed by action taken on the basis of that knowledge.” –Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015

This paper seeks to promote a common understanding of what capacity development means for disaster risk reduction, including considerations or how it develops in both conceptual and practical terms. It is intended as a reference for the broader global community who work at the international, regional, national and sub-national levels in disaster risk reduction.

The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) provides technical, advisory, and programme support to UNDP Country Offices in crisis and post-crisis contexts. Assistance to Country Offices includes: the design and implementation of crisis-sensitive employment and livelihood initiatives, disarmament demobilization and reintegration of former combatants and associates, and mine action in early recovery settings.