The funding comes with technical support, knowledge resources, and financial assistance to equip the island countries with more robust and climate-resilient infrastructure across sectors.
CDRI's Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Initiative (IRIS) was awarded the 2024 UN SIDS Partnership Award. (Photo: Getty)
New Delhi,UPDATED: May 29, 2024 18:27 IST
The New Delhi-based Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) has announced a major call for proposals to fund projects aimed at boosting infrastructure resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) around the world.
The funding opportunity was unveiled at the United Nations 4th International Conference on SIDS in Antigua and Barbuda.
Open to all 57 SIDS nations, the call will provide technical support, knowledge resources, and financial assistance to equip the island countries with more robust and climate-resilient infrastructure across critical sectors like transport, power, telecommunications, water, health, and education.
"This funding will support SIDS with the knowledge products, tools and partnerships needed to achieve climate and disaster resilient infrastructure, enabling resilient economies and a secure future," said Amit Prothi, Director General of CDRI.
Proposed projects can focus on enhancing policies, regulatory frameworks, project preparation capacities, resource mobilisation, project implementation, and data systems related to making infrastructure more resistant to natural disasters and climate change impacts.
The initiative comes as low-lying island nations face escalating risks from sea level rise, intensifying storms, flooding, and other environmental threats that can devastate critical infrastructure like roads, utilities, hospitals and more.
In recognition of its efforts, CDRI's Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Initiative (IRIS) was awarded the 2024 UN SIDS Partnership Award in the Environment category during the conference.
The award highlights IRIS's innovative partnerships promoting sustainable development in SIDS through disaster-resilient infrastructure advocacy, funding, workshops and capacity building programs.
"I am pleased to share that IRIS has won the 2024 UN SIDS Partnership Award in recognition of contributions to the sustainable development of SIDS through innovative and impactful partnerships," Prothi stated.
The new funding call represents a significant opportunity for SIDS to access technical and financial resources to fortify infrastructure against climate change at a critical juncture. With many islands already experiencing coastal erosion, freshwater contamination and other impacts, boosting resilience is crucial for safeguarding communities and economic development.
Detailed criteria, guidelines and submission procedures for the CDRI resilience project proposals will be issued in the coming weeks.
The coalition aims to rapidly deploy support to address the urgent resilience needs facing SIDS worldwide.
Published By:
Sibu Kumar Tripathi
Published On:
May 29, 2024
English (US) ·