First-Ever South Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction Held in Addu City

This collaborative platform, organized under the Enhancing Resilience Planning and Strengthening Community Preparedness (ERCP) Project, brought together 96 participants from key government agencies, local councils, NGOs, academia, and businesses across the southern region of the Maldives. The ERCP project is implemented by MRC and NDMA with the support of the United States Agency for International Development's Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (USAID BHA).

Held from 19th-20th November, the forum underscored the critical need for integrating DRR into national development plans. Recognizing that DRR is vital for sustainable development and safeguarding socioeconomic progress, the forum emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts across the Maldives.

Key highlights:

• The platform fostered valuable discussions and knowledge sharing among key stakeholders, including government agencies, local councils, NGOs, and the private sector.
• The Addu City Council, alongside the Local Government Authority, Fuvahmulah City Council, GDh. Hoadehdhoo Council, Ga. Kolamaafushi Council and GA. Villingili Council, shared their collective efforts in building resilience through disaster management plans and risk mitigation strategies within their respective islands. Furthermore, MRC and NDMA also highlighted the work that has been done through the Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRM) program in empowering local communities to prepare for and manage disasters. The geographical dispersion of the Maldives necessitates strong local governance as the foundation for effective disaster management.

• The Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) and the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy (MCCEE) emphasized the need to leverage advanced technology and innovation in developing and implementing effective early warning systems, while also promoting the integration of ecosystem-based solutions for a more sustainable and resilient future.
• Key disaster response agencies, including the Maldives National Defense Force Southern Command and the Maldives Police Service, shared valuable insights from their experiences and lessons learned during recent fire and flood incidents. Furthermore, the Ministry of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works highlighted the challenges they encountered in coordinating disaster risk management efforts and effectively increasing engagement in DRR initiatives.
• Allied Insurance highlighted the critical role of risk insurance in safeguarding against disasters. To further explore public-private partnerships in disaster risk reduction financing, MRC facilitated a panel discussion involving the Ministry of Tourism, Local Government Authority, and NDMA. This initiative aimed to explore opportunities within the private sector for DRR to foster a more resilient national economy in the face of disasters. These partnerships are crucial for ensuring a unified and coordinated approach to disaster management, thereby enhancing our collective capacity to protect vulnerable communities across the country.

As a key partner to the government of Maldives for DRR, MRC continues to prioritize building partnerships and fostering community-driven efforts to mitigate disaster risks, in alignment with MRC’ strategic priority 1: Strengthening Emergency Response and Strategic Priority 3: Facilitate Planning for Resilience. With the support of key stakeholders and local communities, MRC is committed to advancing disaster preparedness and promoting sustainable solutions to protect vulnerable populations from future climate threats.