Disasters are becoming more frequent, intense, and interconnected, often driven by climate change, environmental degradation, and resource pressures. For fragile economies, a single event can undo years of development gains. Recognizing this, the EU and UNDP partnership is prioritizing disaster risk reduction and resilience as central to sustainable development, peace, and stability. Their collaboration focuses on stronger risk governance by aligning policies, institutions, and finance to improve preparedness, response, and long‑term resilience.
Countries are shifting from reactive to anticipatory action, identifying risks before they escalate. Early warning systems that combine data, forecasting, and communication are being strengthened through EU‑supported programmes. In Cuba, for example, after facing multiple hurricanes and earthquakes in 2024, initiatives are reinforcing technical monitoring and community preparedness to ensure timely action. Similarly, across 16 countries, governments are embedding risk information into national planning and investment processes, protecting development gains from future shocks. Belize has advanced this approach by integrating climate risks into national planning with attention to gender equality and youth involvement.
Recovery after disasters is also seen as an opportunity to reduce future risks. Post‑Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNAs), developed jointly by the EU, UN, and World Bank, provide structured, data‑driven approaches to assess damage and plan reconstruction. In Burundi, severe flooding displaced tens of thousands, and a PDNA estimated losses at over US$210 million. The findings informed investments in rehabilitating the Port of Bujumbura, with $79 million mobilized to rebuild infrastructure with stronger design standards and improved drainage, aligning with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy for resilient infrastructure.
Community empowerment is another cornerstone of resilience. In Somalia, recurrent droughts threaten food security, and locally driven approaches are helping communities act on early warnings to protect livelihoods. A Disaster Volunteer Network has trained 226 community volunteers, many of them women, to support preparedness and recovery. In Central Asia, communities near uranium legacy sites are being supported to raise awareness of contamination risks and identify safer livelihood options.
Regional and transboundary cooperation is equally vital. In the Caribbean, the EU‑CA‑RES programme strengthens preparedness and recovery systems by aligning policies and capacities across countries. In Central Asia’s Ferghana Valley, cross‑border early warning systems and water management initiatives are reducing disaster impacts and resource tensions. In the Western Balkans, basin‑wide flood risk management in shared river systems is improving coordination among hydrometeorological services and civil protection agencies.
In an era of increasing uncertainty, the EU‑UNDP partnership continues to build resilient systems, empowered communities, and coordinated responses. By embedding risk‑informed development into planning and recovery, countries are better equipped to anticipate, prepare for, and withstand disasters, ensuring that progress toward sustainable development is safeguarded.
