Established in 1998, GMSL is motivated to achieve natural resource based sustainable development through empowerment of the poorest and sustainable livelihoods, focusing on current environmental problems and providing solutions utilizing collective efforts. Activities launched by GMSL with people’s participation envisage the emergence of vibrant, environmentally-friendly communities throughout the island. In 2003 the Executive Board of GMSL expanded its focus by integrating disaster management into the sustainable development activities of the network. Based on this decision and collaboration with the Disaster and Development Centre (DDC) of Northumbria University, United Kingdom, the Disaster Management and Information Programme (DMIP) was established in April 2004 as the disaster management unit of GMSL. The purpose of the Disaster and Development Centre is to develop through research, teaching and learning the knowledge and skills to address hazards, disaster and complex emergencies from the prospective of different development debates and experience.