The African continent faces a multitude of hazards and risks, some of which are unique to a certain country, others shared across a whole region. In order to resolve the disaster risk related issues which challenge development within the continent, it is vital to attain locally derived research and knowledge in order to understand these obstacles and threats and mitigate their impacts. 

A key strength of Periperi is the diversity of university partners that make up the consortium. Each country in Africa faces its own unique blend of disaster risk related challenges. Hence each partner focuses upon undertaking research and action in order to address the issues and challenges found in their own country or region. 

From 2008-2014, the partnership continued to purposefully grow to include eleven universities in a continent-wide consortium focusing on disaster risk-related education, training and community outreach, research and strategic engagement.