DISASTERS OCCUR DAILY somewhere in the world and have a dramatic impact on the quality of life of individuals, families, and communities. The World Disasters Report 2007 confirmed a 60% increase in the occurrence of disasters in the last decade (1997–2006) compared to the previous decade. The number of reported deaths associated with disasters increased from 600,000 to more than 1.2 million while, at the same time, the number of people affected rose from 230 million to 270 million – a 17% increase. No nation, region, community, or individual is immune to the potential devastations of a disaster.

According to the United Nations' Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery, nearly 75% of the world's population live in areas that were affected at least once by an earthquake, a tropical cyclone, flooding, or drought between 1980 and 2000. In the year 2007, 133 countries were impacted by some disaster-producing event–up from an average of 116 countries during the period 2000–2006.

Nations with less resources are particularly vulnerable and require special attention, as they are less able to finance and support disaster preparation, emergency efforts, and infrastructure reconstruction initiatives. When disaster strikes, funds are diverted from other urgently required programs. Disasters, therefore, can change the face of a resource-poor nation in minutes, wiping out years of development. Disaster reduction and sustainable development are thus closely linked.