Complex emergencies created by natural and manmade disasters can result from limited government capacities to respond to shocks and subsequently place tremendous demands on government capacity. In helping African countries meet the challenges that climate change is likely to pose, it is critical to determine the existing capacity of individual countries and to identify strategies for augmenting that capacity.

CCAPS released two new briefs on the capacity of select African countries to prepare for and respond to natural shocks ““ especially those caused by climate change. The research focuses on select African countries ““ including Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe ““ to evaluate the capacity of African governments to respond effectively to crisis situations.

Institutional Capacity for Natural Disasters: Methodology for Case Studies
Natural hazards do not necessarily result in disasters, but they present a clear policy challenge for national governments: how does a country prepare for the often unexpected? CCAPS Research Brief No. 9 presents the methodologies used to investigate how governments answer this question. Through ten African country case studies, this study provides a comprehensive evaluation of potential explanations for variation in government efforts to develop disaster management capacities.

Institutional Capacity for Natural Disasters: Findings from Case Studies
CCAPS research shows that the two clearest predictors of countries’ investment in disaster preparedness are economic strength and perceived risk of natural threats. However, these factors explain little when there is limited electoral incentive to invest in disaster management or minimal bureaucratic capacity to implement preparedness programs. CCAPS Research Brief No. 10 details these findings, shedding new light on which state characteristics must be supported to encourage development of institutions that reduce countries’ vulnerability to natural hazards.