CDRI - Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure (CDRI) at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York in September 2019. At the front, CDRI is a cohesive platform where information exchange on disaster and climate resilience and infrastructure occurs. The resulting functionalities of the platform give a push to countries such that they will be able to innovate their practices and action towards infrastructure development in this regard.

Recently, a 3-day conference will be held between the Prime Ministers of India, Italy, the United Kingdom and Fiji. During the conference, several vital facts and data will be discussed about the preparedness for disasters and the related health and digital infrastructure in place to oversee the management of such disasters. Canada has also joined the CDRI in support of sustainable development.

CDRI Benefit

It is expected that the coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure (CDRI) will come to benefit every nation on multiple fronts. As the level of knowledge improves and particular practices towards installing a disaster resilient infrastructure are met, people from economically weaker sections of the society will benefit the most since they are the ones who are most susceptible to suffering due to the impacts of natural disasters.

In addition, areas prone to high disaster risk also stand to gain from the mechanism of the coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure (CDRI). In the Indian context, areas in the North Easter regions, Himalayan regions, and coastal regions are prone to earthquakes and cyclones. The effective development of a strong framework of disaster management helps reduce the number of human casualties in the event of a disaster.

In any case, the economic cost of such events continues to remain high, mainly due to the damage to infrastructural facilities. Forming a global scale coalition towards the development of resilient structures would help address the risk exposure of developing countries and stand to face a moderate to high risk of disasters.

Diplomatic Status And Significance Of CDRI

The CDRI happens to be the second greatest coalition that India has launched. The first of such alliances was the International Solar Alliance. The two coalitions have aided to level India’s leadership role on the global platform concerning climate change matters. Ultimately, India will get stronger branding by performing its role through this coalition. India’s CDRI is viewed as a safer alternative to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China launched.

Need For CDRI

The need for CDRI becomes imminent to bring down the total disaster loss reduction. coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure recognizes the need to build an infrastructure that can aid economic growth and lead to sustainable development. At present, India lags in ensuring that loss to property and infrastructure is at a minimum, either as a result of a disaster or due to an extreme weather event and similar events.

FAQs on CDRI

Q.1) What are some of the member countries that are part of CDRI?

The following countries are a part of the coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure (CDRI), namely Australia, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Argentina, Fiji, Chile, Germany, France, Italy, India, Jamaica, Japan, Mauritius, Maldives, Nepal, Mongolia, Peru, Netherlands, Turkey, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States Of America.

Q.2) What are the names of the partner organizations working alongside CDRI?

Some of the organizations that have partnered for a coalition to implement CDRI are World Bank Group, Asian Development Bank, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, United Nations Development Programme, Coalition for Climate Resilient Investment and ARISE, Private sector alliance for disaster resilient society.

Q.3) What is the purpose of the Sendai framework?

The Sendai Framework is a voluntary group to reduce the overall disaster risk and loss of life and provide economic stability to the livelihood of the people, communities and businesses.

Q.4) What is the meaning of disaster resilience?

Disaster resilience can be defined as the capacity of an individual, organization, community, or a state to form an adaptive approach to hazards and stresses and recover from them without diminishing the prospects of economic growth of the society as a whole.