The socio-economic condition in most COMESA countries is characterised by persistent high
poverty levels and low food security. This is further compounded by the susceptibility of
agriculture to climatic variability and other hazards as well as the vulnerability of
impoverished and malnourished households to HIV/AIDS, market shocks and prolonged
violent conflict. One of the biggest challenges governments in Africa face, with notably few
exceptions, is the lack of sufficient financial and human resources to undertake the required
action when disaster arises. This starts from the inability to address the underlying causes of
disasters, including recurrent poverty that stifles household resilience (NEPAD, 2007).