Newsletter (September 2024)

Expansion of the Coalition

Cuba was welcomed as the 46th member of the Coalition in February 2024. Addressing ICDRI 2024, President H.E. Mr. Miguel Díaz-Canel underscored the importance of sharing best practices and bolstering national capacities to effectively respond to disasters.

France becomes CDRI’s new Co-chair

In April 2024, France assumed the role of Co-chair of the Coalition, taking over from the United States of America.  Aurélien Lechevallier, Director General for Global Affairs and Cultural and Economic Diplomacy will represent France at CDRI’s Governing Council

Champions of DRI

Kamal Kishore, Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, and formerly the India co-chair of the Executive Committee, CDRI, shares insights on the importance of DRI.

CDRI convenes largest global gathering on DRI

ICDRI 2024 brought together governments, financial institutions, media and the private sector to showcase solutions and drive collective action.  CDRI’s Director General and Director of Advocacy and Communications outline the key takeaways.

Supporting a resilient future for Small Island Developing States

Coalition member Antigua and Barbuda hosted the fourth UN Conference on Small Island Developing States in May. CDRI was present to advocate for the role of DRI in enabling resilient prosperity and to launch a Call for Proposals under IRIS.

Supporting the next generation of infrastructure professionals through IRAX

Virginia Tech University was awarded a $5 million grant from USAID to collaborate with Indian institutions of higher education to improve training, research, and collaborative innovation on DRI. Here Veena Reddy, Mission Director, USAID/India speaks on Infrastructure Resilience Academic eXchange.

Strengthening resilience of critical infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific

CDRI, in partnership with the Government of India delivered a workshop for 60 power sector experts from 18 Indo-Pacific countries in New Delhi and Agra.  Building disaster preparedness for energy infrastructure is a target for the Indo-Pacific Quad.

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Fellowship Project Showcase

Maintenance and erosion impact resilience of unpaved roads. This project in Brazil combines nature and research to seek resilient infrastructure solutions.

Strengthening resilience of power sector in coastal areas

A study by CDRI and the Government of Odisha on “Disaster Resilient Power Systems” provides replicable recommendations for strengthening power infrastructure in coastal regions. Read ‘Lessons from Odisha.’

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CDRI wins prestigious UN Award

CDRI was honoured with the 2024 UN SIDS Partnership Award under the environmental category, which was presented at the ‘Global Multi-Stakeholder SIDS Partnership Dialogue’ in New York.

CDRI to launch Mountain Resilience Programme

Limited access to services and infrastructure, coupled with unique geographical challenges, makes mountain ecosystems particularly fragile. Climate change increases the risks for mountain communities. CDRI’s Mountain Resilience Programme will safeguard lives, protect livelihoods, ensure economic stability and promote environmental sustainability in these unique areas.

Staff Testimonial

Rana Divyank Chaudhary, who joined the Publications team in early 2024, shares his role and experience of working with CDRI.