UAE commits $10M to boost climate and disaster resilience in Asia-Pacific

The United Arab Emirates has announced $10 million in funding to strengthen resilience against natural disasters across the Asia-Pacific region.

The initiative, launched under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed, will be implemented through the UAE International Aid Agency in partnership with Emirates Nature-WWF.

The program, titled Building Community Resilience to Natural Disasters (BCRND), aims to protect vulnerable coastal and rural communities from the growing impact of climate-related hazards, according to The National News.

In its first phase, the project will begin in the Philippines, Indonesia, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands, focusing on restoring ecosystems, improving livelihoods, and building early warning systems.

Officials said the plan will prioritize the rehabilitation of mangroves and coral reefs, the creation of sustainable income opportunities for farmers, fishermen, and small businesses, and the enhancement of local preparedness mechanisms to mitigate disaster risks.

The initiative was announced during the World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, hosted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

While details of subsequent phases have yet to be disclosed, the UAE’s commitment underscores its growing role in supporting regional climate adaptation and humanitarian resilience efforts.

The announcement comes amid a surge in natural disasters across the Asia-Pacific, particularly in the Philippines, where a 6.9-magnitude earthquake on September 30 killed at least 74 people and displaced thousands in Cebu province.

Two additional offshore quakes struck the southern Philippines days later, compounding the humanitarian toll.

Situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is among the world’s most disaster-prone nations, facing frequent earthquakes, volcanic activity, and an average of 20 typhoons a year.