Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part M (2025)

Natural disasters impose significant economic, social, and environmental costs worldwide, but their impacts are particularly severe in emerging economies where institutional capacity, infrastructure quality, and financial resilience remain limited. Events such as earthquakes, floods, cyclones, droughts, and hurricanes disrupt development trajectories by damaging productive assets, increasing poverty, weakening human capital, and straining public finances. This paper examines the multifaceted impacts of natural disasters on development in emerging economies, focusing on economic growth, poverty and inequality, infrastructure, human capital, and institutional responses. Using theoretical frameworks of disaster risk and development, along with empirical evidence and selected case studies, the paper highlights how disasters can reverse development gains and exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. It further explores policy pathways for enhancing resilience through infrastructure investment, social protection systems, environmental management, and international cooperation. With climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, building disaster-resilient development pathways is essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in emerging economies.