This section is an introduction to fragility and its negative economic impact as a result of natural and man-made disasters in both developing and developed countries. Examples include natural disasters such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the 2011 Tsunami in Japan, the 2012 Hurricane Sandy in the US, and the 2013 typhoon in the Philippines. Man-made disasters, including the ongoing Civil War in Syria, the Arab Spring in 2011, and the Greek crisis have created fragilities and instabilities, causing a major economic cost for these countries. The section sets the scene for PPD’s role in politically and economically fragile conditions.