This document summarizes the key issues around climate change and disaster preparedness in the Asia-Pacific region. It notes that the number of natural disasters has increased dramatically since 1950, with 90% related to extreme weather. The poor are most vulnerable to disasters, as they suffer the greatest losses and have the lowest capacity to cope. Many countries in the Asia-Pacific lie in hazard-prone areas and experience frequent disasters like typhoons, floods, droughts, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes. Disasters can severely impact development and leave lasting psychological impacts.