The United Arab Emirates has committed $10 million to strengthen resilience against natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region. This funding, announced under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed through the UAE International Aid Agency, will be channeled to Emirates Nature-WWF to implement the Building Community Resilience to Natural Disasters (BCRND) initiative.
The first phase of the program will focus on the Philippines, Indonesia, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands, aiming to improve living conditions in vulnerable communities. Key priorities include restoring protective natural systems, enhancing sustainable income sources, and strengthening preparedness measures to reduce disaster risks.
Planned activities under the initiative include maintaining mangroves and coral reefs, supporting farmers, fishermen, and small businesses, and developing early warning systems alongside comprehensive risk reduction frameworks. These measures are intended to help communities better withstand and recover from natural hazards.
The announcement was made during the fourth day of the World Conservation Congress 2025, hosted in Abu Dhabi and organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Details regarding subsequent phases of the program have not yet been disclosed.
The initiative comes in the wake of recent seismic activity in the Philippines, which is still recovering from a September 30 earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 that caused at least 74 deaths and displaced thousands in Cebu province. The region also experienced two powerful offshore earthquakes shortly afterward. Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and around 20 typhoons or storms each year, highlighting the urgency of disaster preparedness and community resilience efforts.
