Why is it in the news (Context)?

• India’s G-20 presidency established the first-ever work stream on disaster risk reduction.
• The world faces an increasing trend in disasters, compounded by the aftermath of COVID-19, wars, debt crises, and food insecurity.
• Climate change exacerbates extreme weather events, making disaster reduction critical.

Impact on Vulnerable Countries and Communities:

• Vulnerable countries and communities, despite contributing least to the issue, suffer the most from disasters.
• Many of the 50 most climate-vulnerable countries also face severe debt challenges.

India’s Experience:

• India, already disaster-prone, experienced numerous disasters and extreme weather events in 2022.
• The 2022 severe monsoon caused significant loss of life and livelihood.

Available Solutions

• Solutions for adaptation and mitigation exist through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
• UN member states have committed to accelerating resilience building.

Learning from COVID-19

• The pandemic highlighted the importance of systems-wide disaster risk reduction, resilience, and adaptation.
• Digital innovations like computer modelling and India’s CoWIN vaccine system contributed to disaster preparedness.

Optimism for Disaster Reduction

• India’s leadership in disaster risk reduction includes state-level disaster management plans, early warning systems, and reduced cyclone and heat wave-related deaths.
• The 15th Finance Commission allocated $28.6 billion for disaster preparedness and recovery in India.
• India promotes disaster resilience internationally through initiatives like the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

International Efforts and Transformations

• Integration of disaster risk reduction into infrastructure, investments, and daily life is crucial.
• Early warning systems can reduce damage significantly; global access to such systems is needed.
• Enhanced global data capabilities are essential for predicting and responding to risks.
• International cooperation in disaster prevention, response, and recovery, especially for Global South countries, is imperative.

Opportunity for a resilient future

• The G-20 summit and outcomes from the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group provide an opportunity to build a future equipped to withstand disaster risks.
• As UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized, while extreme weather events are inevitable, they do not have to become deadly disasters.