India Pushes for Global DRR Financing Facility at Geneva
India has called for the creation of a global disaster risk reduction (DRR) financing facility at the Ministerial Roundtable in Geneva on June 4, 2025. The country stressed the need for concrete and time-bound action to boost global disaster resilience.
Dr. P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Modi, led India’s delegation. He said disaster risk financing is not a side issue, but central to development. As disasters and climate risks grow, the need for strong financial systems becomes urgent.
India urged the global community to build a dedicated international mechanism. This would offer catalytic funding, technical support, and knowledge exchange. The platform should be backed by the UN system and multilateral institutions.
Dr. Mishra applauded the UNDRR for initiating the discussion. He also thanked Brazil and South Africa for carrying forward DRR talks through their G20 presidencies.
India’s DRR Financing: A ₹2.32 Trillion Journey
India’s DRR model has grown significantly. Dr. Mishra shared that earlier, disaster funds were just ₹60 million (USD 0.7 million). Now, under the 15th Finance Commission, the outlay exceeds ₹2.32 trillion (USD 28 billion).
This leap reflects India’s deep commitment. The Disaster Management Act of 2005 enabled rule-based, pre-determined funds. These funds now flow smoothly from the central government to states and districts.
Four Pillars of India’s DRR Framework
Dr. Mishra outlined four guiding principles behind India’s approach:
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Dedicated funding for preparedness, mitigation, relief, and recovery.
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Focus on vulnerable people and disaster-hit communities.
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Access to funds across all levels—central, state, and local.
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Accountability and transparency with clear, measurable outcomes.
Together, these principles ensure that India’s disaster financing is inclusive, efficient, and resilient.
Local Ownership, Global Support
India believes DRR financing must be nationally owned. At the same time, it should benefit from global cooperation and international benchmarks.
Each country, Dr. Mishra noted, should develop its own system. But it must match its governance, budget capacity, and risk profile.
Need for Innovative Financial Tools
Public finance alone cannot meet growing needs. Dr. Mishra urged countries to use new tools like:
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Risk pooling,
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Insurance products, and
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Affordable, innovative financing mechanisms.
These tools must fit each country’s economic realities and long-term sustainability goals.
Proposal for a Global DRR Facility
Dr. Mishra pointed out a key missing link. There is no global financial facility dedicated solely to DRR systems.
To fill this gap, India proposed a new global facility. It should:
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Offer catalytic funding to developing countries,
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Provide technical assistance, and
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Enable real-time knowledge sharing between nations.
This facility would act as a backbone for countries trying to build or strengthen their disaster finance systems.
India Urges the World to Act Now
Dr. Mishra concluded with a strong message. He said it’s time to move beyond words and take concrete, time-bound steps.
India reaffirmed its leadership role. It stands ready to collaborate globally and help shape a robust, inclusive DRR finance framework.