In this week’s special programme during the holiday season: the International Monetary Fund or IMF, looks at what a drought, earthquake or pandemic can do to economies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Natural disasters hold back a country’s ability to produce, leading to an economic slowdown according to two top economists from the IMF.

Sub Saharan Africa has been especially prone and natural disasters have adversely impacted the overall economic performance of the region.

The IMF argues that the Ebola epidemic in West Africa and the 2016 droughts induced by El Niño in parts of Eastern and Southern Africa, have cost economies and societies dear.

Here’s Bruce Edwards’ conversation with IMF economists Marshall Mills and Vimal Thakoor.

Presenter:Priyanka Shankar

Production Assistant:Sandra Guy

Duration:10'00"