Asian Development Bank Publications Unit External Relatio

Published purpose

This project aims to reduce the impact of disasters on vulnerable populations in Southeast Asia by providing support to governments and civil society to manage and reduce disaster risk. In so doing, the project also seeks to support economic growth and maintain the development gains already made in the region. The project is establishing an Integrated Disaster Risk Management Trust Fund to support the development of innovative approaches and tools for disaster risk management. The Fund, administered by the Asian Development Bank, also aims to enhance regional cooperation and capacity for risk management. The project provides support in three main areas: (i) reducing the risks associated with disasters and increasing the resilience of people and communities to disasters; (ii) adapting to climate change, which involves incorporating viable, adaptive strategies into existing disaster risk management initiatives; and (iii) developing disaster risk financing, including insurance. Some project activities include: (i) conducting workshops in community based disaster risk management; (ii) developing risk financing solutions, including insurance schemes, to help people, particularly women and the poor, reduce the financial impact of disasters; and, (iii) sharing knowledge and best practices in disaster risk reduction with other regional organizations.