At the COP29 summit, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) announced over $10 million in funding and several new programs aimed at strengthening the resilience of communities facing severe climate threats. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CDRI, which includes 40 countries and 7 international organisations, aims to reduce the impact of disasters on critical infrastructure and protect the most vulnerable populations.

During the announcement, the coalition introduced initiatives designed to address the specific climate risks faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), urban areas prone to extreme weather, and mountainous regions. These initiatives align with CDRI’s mission to enhance global resilience through investments, technical resources, and cross-border cooperation.

One of the most significant announcements was an $8 million fund dedicated to improving infrastructure resilience in SIDS, which are highly vulnerable to rising sea levels, hurricanes, and other climate-related events. This fund builds on CDRI’s previous efforts to support island states, which have already seen improvements in early warning systems, climate-adapted housing, and resilient coastal facilities across 13 SIDS, including Fiji and the Dominican Republic.

Additionally, CDRI revealed a $2.5 million funding initiative targeting cities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This funding, available to cities across 30 CDRI member countries, will assist them in making informed infrastructure investments to better manage climate-related risks.

CDRI also launched a new Mountain Resilience Program aimed at addressing the unique climate challenges of mountainous regions, such as landslides, avalanches, and flash floods. The program will focus on creating risk-informed policies that combine local knowledge with eco-friendly practices to tackle these hazards effectively. By fostering collaboration between governments, local communities, and environmental experts, the initiative seeks to protect both natural ecosystems and essential infrastructure in these areas.