Beyond the Payout: Why Disaster Risk Financing Needs a Plan

At the 2025 Climate and Disaster Risk Finance Workshop, Adam McVie, Disaster Risk Financing Specialist at the World Food Programme (WFP), highlighted a crucial but often overlooked aspect of disaster risk financing—what happens after the funds arrive.

“Receiving the payment is only one part of the formula,” he explained. “You also need to work out how you’re going to spend it so you can use it quickly, effectively, and efficiently.”

McVie discussed the importance of clear disbursement plans, the role of different stakeholders—governments, development partners, civil society, and the private sector—and the need to move from strategy to action. Too often, policies and frameworks are in place, but implementation lags behind.

What are the practical steps needed to turn DRF policies into action? Watch the full interview to hear more from Adam McVie.