The 2025 GIR SIDS Working Paper by CDRI analyzes infrastructure resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) using the Global Infrastructure Risk Model and Resilience Index (GIRI). It highlights SIDS’ vulnerability to climate and geological hazards due to limited land, economic size, and coastal infrastructure concentration.
The paper estimates high Average Annual Losses (AAL), especially in the energy and telecommunications sectors, and projects increased risks from climate change. It proposes a resilience framework based on three capacities, absorb, respond, and recover, and emphasizes financial instruments, institutional reforms, and user resilience.
The Call to Action outlines ten steps to enhance resilience, including data hubs, localized standards, and finance reforms. CDRI’s IRIS program supports 24 projects across 25 SIDS, promoting resilient infrastructure through technical, financial, and policy assistance.
Key points
- SIDS face high disaster risks due to geographic vulnerabilities.
- GIRI model assesses infrastructure risks using probabilistic hazard simulations.
- Climate change increases infrastructure losses, especially from cyclones and floods.
- Resilience requires absorbing, responding, and recovering from disaster impacts effectively.
- Financial tools and institutional reforms are essential for resilience building.
- IRIS program supports SIDS with funding, training, and technical assistance.