Abstract:
This report describes the use of cost benefit analysis (CBA), an economic tool used to compare the benefits against the costs of a given project or activity. It highlights the use of CBA, which the author emphasizes, can prove particularly beneficial in a disaster/climate risk context. Firstly, CBA may help communities and local partners, as well as government, NGOs and donors, decide on program options by entering into a more robust process of weighing up costs and benefits of different interventions, both qualitative and quantitative. Secondly, risk reduction requires significant resources to be spent before a disaster, and the benefits are not always overtly obvious. CBA can provide a powerful tool for demonstrating the value of pre-emptive action and investment in risk reduction.