Post by : Rameen Ariff

Abu Dhabi, UAE: UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has announced a $10 million allocation to enhance the resilience of communities across Asia and the Pacific against natural disasters. The announcement was made at the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi.

The initiative, called ‘Community Resilience to Natural Disasters’, is launched through the UAE Aid Agency and will support the Emirates Nature Society in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

This programme is a joint effort between WWF and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Its main aim is to use nature-based solutions to help communities withstand natural hazards, improve disaster preparedness, and promote sustainable livelihoods.

Programme Objectives and Funding

Funding from the UAE will support the first phase of the initiative, which also aims to attract co-financing from public and private sector partners and donor institutions. The programme is designed for long-term sustainability through collaboration and shared responsibility.

The programme focuses on three key pillars:

1. Restoration of natural protective systems to reduce disaster risks.

2. Promotion of sustainable livelihoods, supporting farmers, fishers, and small enterprises through eco-tourism and income diversification.

3. Strengthening community preparedness by developing early warning systems and risk reduction frameworks with local communities.

Regional Implementation

The first phase will be implemented in the Philippines, Indonesia, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands, with plans for future regional expansion to enhance disaster resilience across the Asia-Pacific region.

This initiative highlights the UAE’s commitment to climate action, community resilience, and sustainable development, setting an example for international cooperation in disaster risk reduction.

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