DDisasters are taking more and more lives around the world. The consequences of climate change are already upon us. Ten days ago three continents were in the grip of heat wave. Massive wildfires have devastated parts of Greece and Canada. Two weeks ago, the Yamuna river crossed the highest flood level recorded 45 years ago, inundating parts of Delhi.
The cost of these disasters has not yet been determined. However, it is clear that the world needs to do more to prevent the risk of damage from all disasters, whether they are weather-related, earthquake-related, or biological like COVID-19. For too long, countries have spent billions of dollars to prevent or reduce the effects of disasters instead of paying little in advance.
We are at the midpoint of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, a global road map to reduce disaster risks and losses. Although progress has been made, we are not where we need to be. However, with a new sense of urgency and a people-centred approach, we can substantially reduce disaster losses by 2030.
Initiatives of India
The good news is that countries are finally getting closer to the value of disaster risk reduction, which India has raised as a priority for the G20 through its chairmanship of the grouping. Notably, India has established the first G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group.
The G20 countries account for about 85% of global GDP and about two-thirds of the world’s population. And because human vulnerability to disasters is strongly linked to economic decisions, the G20 is in a unique position to chart a new path to disaster risk-informed decision-making. This means not only considering the potential impact of economic decisions on disaster risks, but also taking advantage of economic tools to reduce existing risks and prevent new risks. Such foresight is critical if countries want to protect their people and grow their economies in the face of growing and interconnected risks.
That is why we welcome the priorities identified by the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group, which form the basis of the communiqué being negotiated in Chennai. These are in direct support of the UN General Assembly’s May 2023 Political Declaration’s call to action on the mid-term review of the Sendai Framework. Of particular note are related to increasing funding for early warning systems, resilient infrastructure and disaster risk reduction.
early warning system
Expanding disaster early warning and early response systems is a top priority. Inclusive and multi-hazard early warning systems are one of the most effective means of reducing disaster deaths and economic losses. During Cyclone Biperjoy, effective systems for early warning and response from beginning to end helped India achieve zero deaths from the event. The preparedness of the power sector helped in reducing the time of disruption in power supply after the cyclone.
The promise of disruptive technologies could help many countries make the leap into a regime where they can harness global capacity for forecasting to meet local needs. To this end, we are working to realize the goal of the UN Secretary-General’s Early Warning for All Initiative, which seeks to create universal coverage for all by the end of 2027.
Enhancing the resilience of infrastructure to withstand climate and disaster risks is another global priority. From New Zealand, where the Auckland airport was flooded, to the US, where a pharmaceutical plant was destroyed by a tornado, every country can benefit from assessing and increasing the resilience of its critical infrastructure.
Infrastructure has a long life cycle, and if built well, can maintain resilience against risk. The same infrastructure also becomes the lifeline of recovery in times of crisis. Therefore, infrastructure, whether economic or social, is ultimately about people and should lead to sustainable development outcomes for them.
That is why India launched the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure with the United Nations in 2019 to promote policy development and capacity support for disaster resilient infrastructure, especially in developing countries. We are currently collaborating to create a global methodology for reviewing and stress testing infrastructure resilience based on the principles of resilient infrastructure.
Failure to adopt an integrated perspective to understand infrastructure risks and its impact on growth is likely to exacerbate the damage, disproportionately impacting the poor, who take the longest to recover from the aftermath.
Finally, a new approach to financing disaster risk reduction needs to be developed to translate risk reduction plans into concrete actions. This effort should be led by the ministries of finance and economy in collaboration with the private sector because the current funding deficit for disaster risk reduction is too large for governments to manage alone, and many of the risks that arise are generated by the private sector.
G20 countries such as Indonesia and India have used risk metrics to allocate resources for disaster risk reduction at the sub-national and local levels. These need to be studied and measured.
It will be the responsibility of the next G20 Chairs to build on these areas of work, enhance ecosystem-based approaches and enhance national and local response capacities. In this regard, we are pleased to hear that Brazil, which will assume the presidency of the G20 in December, has committed to continuing the Working Group and building on what India has started.