Disaster resilience varies significantly across the Middle East and North Africa, as highlighted in a recent global risk poll. This study reveals a stark contrast between the Gulf states and nations in the Levant, with countries like Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine performing notably below the global average for disaster preparedness and recovery.
Insights from the Global Risk Poll
Conducted by Gallup for the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the poll involved over 143,000 interviews across 140 countries in 2025. It evaluated the ability of individuals and communities to withstand and recover from major shocks. Within the regional framework, Kuwait emerged as the leader in disaster resilience, achieving a score of 74 points. Following closely were Bahrain at 72 points, and both Oman and the United Arab Emirates with scores of 70 each. The global average for resilience, however, stands at 57.
The survey also uncovered high levels of confidence in government disaster preparedness in the Gulf region. For instance, an impressive 87% of respondents in the UAE expressed trust in their government’s readiness for disasters, placing the country second worldwide. In Bahrain, this number was also substantial, at 82%. Such figures contrast sharply with the sentiments in Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine, where the scores ranged from 48 to 52 points on the resilience index. In Lebanon, just 14% of participants viewed their government as well-prepared, and a mere 39% reported receiving timely warnings about disasters compared to the global average of 80%.
Perceptions and Reality of Government Accountability
The data highlights a troubling sentiment in Lebanon and Iraq, where significant portions of the population feel neglected by their governments. Approximately 59% of Iraqis and 56% of Lebanese residents expressed the belief that their governments did not care about their welfare, starkly contrasting with the global average of 29%. Furthermore, over half of the households in Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine reported their inability to cover essential needs for a month without income, underscoring a fragile socioeconomic foundation.
The survey also revealed concerning public health perceptions in Lebanon, where 71% of respondents feared that drinking water posed serious health risks, ranking them fifth globally for such concerns. Additionally, a notable 90% expressed worries about violent crime, marking it as the sixth-highest concern worldwide.
Regional Developments and a Look Ahead
Despite the pressing challenges faced by many countries in the region, North Africa displayed significant improvements, recording a five-point increase on the resilience index since 2023—the largest growth of any region studied. The report attributes progress in Algeria and Egypt to enhanced internet access, better household preparedness, and increased financial means to weather crises.
Interestingly, despite high temperatures common in the region, countries like Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE reported low levels of concern regarding heatwaves and drought. In contrast, Israel experienced minimal impacts from disasters during the study period, with less than 1% of the population affected.
Globally, the impact of disasters is alarming, with approximately 1.1 billion adults experiencing one in the five years prior to the poll, and nearly 220 million received no advance warning. This disparity is notably pronounced, with about one-third of adults in low-income nations reporting disaster experiences compared to only 16% in higher-income countries. The findings illustrate the critical need for better preparedness and communication in vulnerable regions, as the absence of warning channels directly affects community responses to impending disasters.