The Global Landscape of Infrastructure Risk

Implementing Partner: Build Change

Project name:Research: Global Infrastructure Resilience Report, First Edition, Chapter 2

This chapter examines global infrastructure risks, estimating annual average losses (AAL) at $301-$330 billion. LMICs—especially in South Asia and Latin America—face disproportionate vulnerabilities, with climate change intensifying risks in low-income nations.

Sector-specific challenges in power, transport, and telecommunications underscore the urgent need for financial risk metrics to guide resilience investments.

Strengthening fiscal strategies and prioritizing risk-informed infrastructure planning will help reduce economic disruptions and support sustainable development in high-risk regions.

Infrastructure loss in
LMICs
$ 0 bn
Global infrastructure loss
due to climatic hazards
0 %

Impact

1

Quantifying annual average losses (AAL) at $301–$330 billion highlights the urgency of resilience investments in high-risk LMICs. Prioritizing risk reduction strategies can reduce economic losses, strengthen infrastructure, and enhance long-term stability in vulnerable regions.

2

Climate change risk assessments can inform adaptive infrastructure designs, reducing vulnerabilities in high-risk regions like Sub-Saharan Africa. By integrating climate resilience into planning, nations can reduce impacts, enhance sustainability, and safeguard critical infrastructure against future environmental challenges.

3

Sector-specific risk data can drive targeted interventions, strengthening resilience in key sectors like power and telecommunications. By informing strategic planning and investment, this data helps reduce disruptions, ensuring reliable infrastructure and sustainable development in high-risk regions.

Resources

Aishwarya Pillai

Lead Specialist

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes. 

Alpana Saha

Director, Partnerships, Governance, and Resource Mobilisation 

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes.