The paper puts into context, the main forms of natural disastors that predisposes the environment and
inhabitants of the Lake Victoria basin to vulnerabilities. Singling out drought and floods as the most
devastating natyral harzards, the paper presents a conceivable drivers of the the two phenomena, their
social, economic and environmental consequences as well as opportunities for prevention, mitigation
and management The social and biophysical characteristics that increase vulnerabilities to natural
hazards are also discussed.A range of mitigation measures is available including reforestation through
the improvement of land management practices have been proposed. The paper also sets priorities in
flood protection to focus on monitoring and surveillance of flood situation, simple measures for flood
mitigation, disaster management and the operation and maintenance of flood management works.
Specific measures that should instituted in relation to policy, legislative and institutional reforms, and
capacity building including formation of national and regional flood management boards that specifically
deal with natural disasters are also presented. Wealth creation and poverty alleviation are issues must
be given prominence in the economic recovery strategies for all governments in the basin.