Donations, National

Natural catastrophes and human-made disasters around the world cost $267 billion in 2008. Although costs fell by more than $200 billion in 2009 due to a quieter-than-usual hurricane season, experts generally agree that disaster costs will continue to rise. The International Red Cross warns that phenomena such as climate change and population growth will likely increase both the frequency and the costs of natural disasters. A major disaster can tax the resources of even wealthy, developed nations, and decimate the population and infrastructure of a developing nation. In the latter case, both immediate and long-term relief are required. National governments provide the greatest part of financing for emergency humanitarian relief; the 30 member nations of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have provided ...