The Maldives, a small island nation, is experiencing the severe and detrimental effects of climate change. Key issues include the escalation of tidal surges in coastal regions and heavy flooding during seasonal rains, both of which cause significant destruction to livelihoods, properties, and household items.
In response to these challenges, the Maldives recently endorsed the 'Maldives Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy 2024-2030.' The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has been diligently working to bolster the resilience of Maldivian communities against the adversities brought about by climate change.
The endorsement of the strategy by the National Disaster Management Council, chaired by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, underscores the priority that President Dr Muizzu and his administration place on mitigating the risks and impacts of climate change.
The strategy concentrates on seven primary areas to mitigate the damage caused by natural and other forms of disasters. These areas include establishing a legal framework for disaster management, conducting multi-hazard risk assessments, enhancing the resilience of urban areas and the natural environment, boosting community resilience and capacity to deal with disasters, strengthening early warning systems, increasing financial capacity to address and recover from disasters, and fostering sustainable traditions for disaster management.
NDMA Chief Executive Officer Hisan Hassan underscored that the new strategy will serve as a blueprint for future disaster preparedness and will function as a roadmap to enhance resilience and mitigation efforts. "The Maldives is actively engaging in significant international treaties and agreements, participating at the forefront. Our efforts to enhance resilience and risk reduction encompass strengthening early warning systems and increasing the capacity of the personnel responsible for overseeing these systems," he said.
The 'Maldives Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy 2024-2030' is designed to anticipate, reduce, and manage the risks associated with both natural and man-made disasters, including those induced by climate change. Its primary objective is to minimise disaster damage by addressing the root causes of risks and vulnerabilities in the natural and built environment, residential areas, and infrastructure.
The strategy seeks to foster community resilience by prioritising the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its ratification will enable the reduction and mitigation of disaster-related risks and contribute to building human capacity in the field of disaster risk reduction, according to the government.
Additionally, the strategy aims to bolster the Maldives' global advocacy efforts against climate change, with a particular emphasis on the risks faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS). An annex of the strategy is dedicated to enhancing resilience efforts and improving efficiency through the newly established Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategy and the National Adaptation Plan, both of which are being developed in accordance with the Paris Agreement.