The UK's new Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Programme, worth £40 million, aims to provide expert training, simulation drills, and new disaster monitoring systems to vulnerable countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Ethiopia, and Sudan. The programme will be announced by UK's International Development Secretary, Justine Greening, 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 stressed the need for increased investment in emergency preparedness and resilience, as the humanitarian system is under immense pressure due to various challenges. The programme will collaborate with organizations like the START network and the Communicating with Disaster-affected Communities Network to provide training in high-risk countries. Support will also be given to innovative early warning systems to improve disaster communication and coordination. Additionally, a £20 million fund will be set up for UNICEF and the World Food Programme to enhance disaster planning in 11 high-risk countries or regions. This will enable agencies to preposition relief items and respond promptly to disasters. The list of countries will consist of Afghanistan, Burma, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Chad, Madagascar, Central America, Central Asia, African Great Lakes, and the Syria region. A specific example of the effectiveness of this approach was provided by citing Bangladesh's reduction in casualties from cyclones, from 500,000 in 1972 to 3,400 in 2008. Additionally, the release mentioned that Greening will outline DFID's five key areas for improvement to help alleviate the demand for emergency assistance. These areas include greater investment in preparedness and resilience, more support for local civil society organizations, recipients driving aid, and tailored responses to meet specific needs in emergencies. Response in the 21st Century requires new and creative methods of humanitarian aid, such as utilizing mobile phones, implementing flexible shelter kits, and providing cash instead of traditional relief items to allow individuals to prioritize their urgent needs. The challenge of development lies in addressing humanitarian disasters in regions of extreme poverty, necessitating long-term planning to mitigate the impact in areas susceptible to recurring crises like food shortages.