Disaster reduction is a critical dimension of the global poverty reduction agenda as disasters impact poor the most. With this in view, the World Bank is developing various instruments to support its client governments to integrate risk reduction strategies in development processes at the country and local levels, especially in countries where risks are high. In consultation with different stakeholders, the World Bank Board has approved a new partnership, the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), based on three key guiding principles:

• The new United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) system provides coherent and coordinated approach among all global stakeholders for disaster reduction and recovery.
• The ongoing ISDR processes, particularly joint work programs, strengthen global advocacy, knowledge sharing, and partnerships in disaster reduction.
• The focus of the Facility is on building capacities at the local and national levels to disaster proof the MDGs.