The UK's new Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Programme, worth £40 million, aims to provide training, simulation drills, and new disaster monitoring systems to help countries most vulnerable to natural disasters like Bangladesh, Nepal, Ethiopia, and Sudan prepare for future crises. Justine Greening, UK's International Development Secretary, will announce the programme at the World Bank's Spring Meeting in Washington. Funding will be given to projects that enhance the quality and speed of humanitarian response. Greening will emphasize the need for increased investment in emergency preparedness and resilience, as the global humanitarian system is under increasing pressure. The programme will work with organizations like the START network and the Communicating with Disaster-affected Communities Network to provide training in at-risk countries. Support will also be given to innovative early warning systems to improve disaster communications and coordination. Additionally, a £20 million fund will be set up for UNICEF and the World Food Programme to enhance disaster planning in high-risk areas, benefiting 17 million people, including 14 million women and children in emergencies. The countries that will be involved in this initiative are Afghanistan, Burma, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Chad, Madagascar, Central America, Central Asia, African Great Lakes, and the Syria region. An example of the success of this approach is how Bangladesh reduced casualties from comparable cyclones, from 500,000 in 1972 to 3,400 in 2008. In addition to this, Greening will outline DFID's five main areas for improvement to help alleviate the demand for emergency assistance. These areas include investing more in preparedness and resilience, supporting national and local leadership, allowing recipients to drive aid, and tailoring responses to meet the specific needs of those affected. In order to address the challenges of humanitarian assistance in the 21st Century, new and creative strategies are necessary. This includes utilizing mobile technology, implementing more adaptable shelter solutions, and providing cash instead of standard relief items to allow individuals to prioritize their most pressing needs. Additionally, it is important to focus on long-term planning in areas of extreme poverty to mitigate the effects of recurring crises like food shortages.