Fighting Poverty While Supporting Recovery : Lessons Learned from Major Natural Disasters

Because of the anti-poor propensity of disasters, effective recovery programs, if they are well targeted, may be one of the most effective means of reducing poverty.

Despite this potential, the recovery process is little understood.

This report synthesizes the findings of a five-country review of recovery after major natural disasters, including Bangladesh (floods 1998), Honduras (Hurricane Mitch 1998), India (Gujarat earthquake 2001), Mozambique (floods 2000 and 2001) and Turkey (earthquakes of 1999).