Caribbean disaster funding: A new blueprint for anticipatory action

Although the impacts of disasters are intensifying, the investments needed to prepare for them are too often postponed or underfunded — seen as too costly, too distant, or too politically inconvenient. But this narrow view misses the full picture. At the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), we know that resilience yields returns — not just when disaster strikes, but even when it doesn’t. The Triple Dividend of Resilience framework shows the broader value of investing in preparedness: 1️⃣ Lives saved, losses avoided From seismic safety in Japan to flood defenses in Poland, resilience efforts quietly prevent devastation every day. 2️⃣ Economic growth Managing risk enables firms and households to invest confidently in the future. In cities like Dar es Salaam and Buenos Aires, flood mitigation can lead to land value increases that more than offset the initial investment. 3️⃣ Broader social and environmental gains Nature-based solutions, early warning systems, and resilient infrastructure don’t just reduce risk — they improve lives, strengthen services, and rejuvenate communities. This #DRRDay, we want to underscore that resilience is not a cost. In a time of constrained resources, we must fund resilience, not disasters — because #ResiliencePays. http://wrld.bg/SN1250X8T1K Jun Rentschler Paolo Avner Stephane Hallegatte United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

Every year, 13th October, the world celebrates International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction with the theme “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters”, which calls for a decisive shift for nations to fund resilience now, by collectively working towards a safe future for all. Here's an excerpt of a conversation I had with the Assistant Director of Operations, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mr. Laraban Ahmad, he shares perspectives on ways individuals, communities and other key players can work in synergy to reduce disaster risks across the country to save lives. Beyond the conversation and advocacy on days like this, those in authority must continue to take proactive steps towards strengthening preparedness, response and mitigation of disasters, but more importantly, invest more in risk reduction. #ntanews #Disasterriskreductionday #broadcaster #news

The Western Cape Government in partnership with Santam, convened a 2-day Disaster Resilience Summit aimed at strengthening the province’s ability to reduce the impact of climate-related disasters and other systemic shocks. The summit brought together leaders and experts from government, academia, municipalities, and the private sector to co-develop practical, locally grounded solutions for building resilient communities. The summit was a key milestone in the province’s work to advance a comprehensive disaster risk reduction agenda and was aligned with the upcoming International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction’s global theme “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters”.  Thabiso Rulashe, Head of Strategy and Investor Relations at Santam, highlighted the importance of collaboration, saying, “Building resilience is a shared responsibility”. Moses Khangale #SantamDisasterResilienceSummit #WCResillienceSummit

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed annually on October 13, focusing on raising awareness and promoting disaster risk reduction strategies globally. The 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction emphasizes the following two key calls to action:   ✅ Increase funding for disaster risk reduction, within public budgets and international assistance.  ✅ Ensure all public development and private sector investments are risk-informed and resilient. #HeroStaffing #EmergencyPreparedness  

🌍 The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 is the global roadmap for making our communities safer and more resilient. As the United Nations system’s lead agency for disaster risk reduction, UNDRR coordinates efforts to turn this vision into action — supporting countries and partners to reduce risk, prevent losses, and strengthen resilience. 📍 Through our regional offices and partnerships with governments, civil society and the private sector, we guide the implementation, follow-up and review of the Sendai Framework across all regions. The Framework sets out seven global targets for 2030: 🎯 A — Reduce disaster mortality ⬇️ 🎯 B — Reduce the number of affected people ⬇️ 🎯 C — Reduce economic losses relative to global GDP ⬇️ 🎯 D — Reduce damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services ⬇️ 🎯 E — Increase the number of countries with DRR strategies ⬆️ 🎯 F — Strengthen international cooperation for DRR ⬆️ 🎯 G — Increase access to multi-hazard early warning systems and risk information ⬆️ Together, these goals aim for one shared outcome: 💪 a substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods, health, and assets worldwide. Learn more ➡️ https://ow.ly/7BHI50XhJMf #UN80 #UNday #ResiliencePays

All these targets can be achieved with the power of nature in mind: 🎯 A — Reduce disaster mortality ⬇️ 🎯 B — Reduce the number of affected people ⬇️ 🎯 C — Reduce economic losses relative to global GDP ⬇️ 🎯 D — Reduce damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services ⬇️ 🎯 E — Increase the number of countries with DRR strategies ⬆️ 🎯 F — Strengthen international cooperation for DRR ⬆️ 🎯 G — Increase access to multi-hazard early warning systems and risk information ⬆️

How does natural hazard research in NSW align to the big picture? Research at the NSW Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Centre not only responds to State inquiry recommendations but to many global targets too.

💰 Fund resilience, not disasters. Because resilience pays. Disasters are becoming more frequent, more costly, more devastating. Direct disaster losses now average $202 billion per year – but the true cost, including indirect and ecosystem impacts, is 11 times higher: nearly $2.3 trillion annually. Despite this, investment in disaster risk reduction remains far too low. The result? Billions spent each year on repairing disaster damages that could instead drive sustainable development. 🌍 This year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction – on 13 October – calls for a shift in how we invest public and private money: ✅ Increase DRR funding in national budgets and international assistance. ✅ Ensure all public and private investments are risk-informed and resilient. The evidence is clear: 🏗️ Safer buildings in Central America could avert $1.1 billion in annual losses. 🌾 Droughts have affected 1.5 billion people in just one decade, costing $125 billion. 🌊 Flood exposure has risen by 25%, with the heaviest toll in Asia. 🌪️ Tropical cyclones alone cause $119.5 billion in annual losses. Investing in resilience saves lives and frees up resources. Funds saved by reducing risk today can power the sustainable development of tomorrow. Discover how ➡️https://ow.ly/A6Ss50X9Kpc #DRRday #ResiliencePays

Fund resilience, not disasters. Because resilience pays. Disasters are becoming more frequent, more costly, more devastating. Direct disaster losses now average $202 billion per year – but the true cost, including indirect and ecosystem impacts, is 11 times higher: nearly $2.3 trillion annually.

💰 Fund resilience, not disasters. Because resilience pays. Disasters are becoming more frequent, more costly, more devastating. Direct disaster losses now average $202 billion per year – but the true cost, including indirect and ecosystem impacts, is 11 times higher: nearly $2.3 trillion annually. Despite this, investment in disaster risk reduction remains far too low. The result? Billions spent each year on repairing disaster damages that could instead drive sustainable development.