Global partnership on disaster risk financing analytics: Results and achievements Format The Emergence of Disaster Risk Financing in a Changing World Societies continue to bear increasing costs from natural hazards as population growth, the geographic concentration of economic and infrastructural assets in vulnerable areas, and the effects of climate change are accelerating exposure to potential losses. As governments try to recover and rebuild in the aftermath of disasters, they are confronted with staggering economic and financial costs because the immediate expenditures needed for reconstruction are compounded by a weakened economy, damaged infrastructure, destroyed businesses, reduced tax revenues, and a rise in poverty levels. These costs are particularly acute for low- and middle-income economies that tend to depend on ad hoc solutions such as emergency loans, retroactive budget realignments that divert limited financial resources from other areas of need, tax increases, or donor assistance to fund reconstruction and recovery efforts. The lack of a disaster-oriented financial resilience mechanism delays economic recovery and prolongs hardships for governments, households, businesses, and vulnerable communities.