Abuja: The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) has called for stronger investment in resilient infrastructure to reduce the economic and social losses caused by natural disasters globally. Mr Amit Prothi, Director General of CDRI, made the appeal when media delegates from BRICS member and partner countries paid a courtesy visit to the coalition in New Delhi.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prothi said the world suffered between 700 billion dollars and 800 billion dollars in direct infrastructure losses annually from natural disasters. He highlighted that the wider economic impact was about seven times the value of the direct infrastructure damage, emphasizing the need for governments to rethink the planning, design, and maintenance of infrastructure to withstand climate-related hazards.
Prothi explained that resilient infrastructure would enable essential systems to recover faster from disasters. CDRI’s role involves helping countries incorporate resilience into infrastructure development rather than directly financing projects. By assessing risks and ensuring critical infrastructure can withstand current and future hazards, CDRI aims to prepare countries for changing patterns of disasters.
He emphasized the importance of telecommunications infrastructure during disasters, citing his personal experience during the 2015 earthquake in Nepal. Prothi said communication is critical during disasters, advocating for stronger telecommunications infrastructure to facilitate contact during emergencies.
Prothi also discussed CDRI’s efforts to work with governments on assessing risks to power and transport infrastructure and integrating disaster risk information into development planning. With data and emerging technologies playing a crucial role, the coalition has developed a global risk database to help countries identify vulnerabilities and estimate potential losses.
He noted that different infrastructure sectors face specific risks, identifying artificial intelligence, satellite data, and advanced modeling as key tools to strengthen early warning systems. Prothi stressed the importance of post-disaster recovery, advocating for mechanisms that enable quick restoration of critical infrastructure.
The coalition, launched by India in 2019, has grown from 24 founding members to 70 members, with the Philippines expected to join soon. Comprising countries from various continents and multilateral institutions, CDRI acts as an active technical partner in global platforms, including the G20 and BRICS.
Prothi concluded by calling for greater participation by ASEAN countries, highlighting their experience in managing hazards as a valuable contribution to global disaster resilience efforts. CDRI’s future programs will focus on regions where climate and disaster risks are increasingly complex, such as Africa, small island developing states, mountain regions, and cities.