5 years of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Disaster Management
Source: HT
Context: Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) marks its fifth Anniversary
Also, CDRI announced a $2.5 million fund to support cities in 30 low and middle-income countries, including India. This Urban Infrastructure Resilience Programme (UIRP) aims to enhance awareness, planning, and financial resources for integrating climate resilience into infrastructure.
Previously, the Union Cabinet had given its approval for ratification of the Headquarters Agreement (HQA) between the Government of India (Gol) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
About CDRI:
CRDI
About | CDRI is a global partnership of National Governments, UN agencies, multilateral development banks, the private sector, and academic institutions.
Objective | It aims to promote the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks, thereby ensuring sustainable development.
Launched by | It was launched by the PM of India during the UN Climate Action Summit (New York) in 2019. It is seen as India’s attempt to obtain a global leadership role in climate change and disaster resilience matters
Secretariat | New Delhi
Members | Since its launch, 31 Countries, 6 International Organisations and 2 private sector organisations have become members of CDRI.
Upgradation | In 2022, the Cabinet approved the recognition of CDRI as an International Organisation and for the signing of HQA for granting CDRI exemptions, immunities and privileges as contemplated under the UN (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947
Significance of HQA agreement | Ratification will provide CDRI an independent and international legal persona so that it can carry out its functions internationally, more efficiently.
How can CDRI help in enhancing the reach and resilience of Infrastructure
The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is an international partnership of governments and other agencies working to promote resilience to disasters.
Improving Reach
• CDRI advocates for prioritizing connectivity infrastructure like rural roads and telecom to enhance access to remote and vulnerable communities.
• It partners with development banks like ADB to mobilize financing for reach-enhancing projects which governments may overlook due to modest returns.
• CDRI highlights how reaching the last mile reduces disaster risks and long-term costs by facilitating evacuation, monitoring and service delivery.
• It is developing geospatial models to identify underserved regions prone to disasters to guide investment priorities for reach.
Enhancing Resilience
• CDRI has formulated 10 resilience standards and guidelines customizable for countries based on hazard risks and local needs.
• It trains infrastructure agencies on lifecycle resilience solutions encompassing disaster-resistant design, construction and proactive asset management.
• CDRI promotes cost-effective engineering innovations like bio-engineering for slope stabilization and decentralized renewable energy systems to build resilient eco-infrastructure.
• It works with countries to develop disaster resilience plans for critical infrastructure like power grids, communication networks and transport systems.
• CDRI helps countries assess infrastructure risks and resilience gaps through detailed diagnostic tools and simulations.
Conclusion
Thus CDRI focuses on furthering inclusion and resilience together by advocating connectivity infrastructure to remote areas and building the capacity of countries on end-to-end solutions for resilient design, delivery and operations, thus steering policy towards inclusive and resilient infrastructure globally.
Insta Links:
• National Disaster Management Act, 2005