Economics of natural disasters: implications and challenges for food security

A paper prepared for presentation at the 26th Conference of the International Association of  Agricultural Economists, Brisbane, 12 - 18 August 2006.

This paper seeks to identify key principles and measures of natural disaster risk management which need to become part of development strategies. As natural disasters hit the poor more than the better-off, the impact on food security, both short and long term, is often detrimental. The focus of the paper is therefore on related economic choices regarding food security in developing countries.