Understanding the important role that the private sector has is vital when implementing initiatives that contribute to a more sustainable future. As a member of the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance, Practical Action is working with the Nepal Insurance Authority and a range of different companies to introduce index-based flood insurance (IBFI) in Nepal. Initiatives like IBFI contribute to building flood resilience and supporting communities faced with the negative impacts of climate change. The role of the private sector in disaster risk reduction The private sector is critical in balancing the ..read more

More than 6,000 people died and at least 11,000 reportedly disappeared in the aftermath of the destructive flood that hit Libya on September 10 2023. Infrastructure in north-eastern Libya has been seriously damaged. The economy continues to suffer and companies that are crucial partners for reconstruction and development have been forced to close due to flood damage. With more than 40,000 people still displaced, labour shortages continue and essential services, including healthcare, remain disrupted. This severe flooding highlighted the vulnerability of Libya ..read more

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to highlight how, unless significant action is taken, climate injustices towards women will only continue, Salomé Lehtman writes. From local action to global finance, there are ways to ensure that climate adaptation programmes address gender inequalities. Amina is one of tens of thousands of Kenyans displaced by catastrophic floods – aggravated by climate change – in late 2023. Her home destroyed, she and her child sought temporary shelter along with several other women from her community. “Our husbands left to take the livestock to high areas w ..read more

Flooding has a disproportionate impact on women and girls, who are more vulnerable to health risks, disrupted livelihoods, and educational challenges. As a member of the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance, Plan International is working with women in Quang Tri, Vietnam, to bridge this gender gap and empowering them to take on leadership roles within their communities as they work towards a more resilient future. The impact of flooding on women and girls As the floodwaters in Quang Tri recede, a deeper, often-overlooked impact on the lives of women and girls emerges. Truong Thi Lan Chi, Chairwoman ..read more

The wide variability and uncertainty of impacts from climate change complicates planning for the future. Planning in ways that are ‘climate-smart and risk-informed’ is one way to face this challenge. But what does ‘climate-smart and risk-informed’ mean? Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance teams are exploring this question through their work in countries around the world. Exploring what ’Climate-Smart, Risk-Informed Development’ means  The phrase ‘climate-smart, risk-informed development’ (CSRID) describes the way we aim to combine activities across sectors and scales to build community flood ..read more

Removing waste from water bodies helps to tackle various issues, including flood risks. As a member of the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance, Plan International worked with two communities in El Salvador to build and install a new waste collection method, known as Riobardas, in a river that contributes to the flood risks these communities face.    Plan International’s flood resilience work in El Salvador is guided by the Flood Resilience Measurement for Communities (FRMC) approach which, in collaboration with communities, provides an understanding of current flood resilience levels an ..read more

Unprecedented rain brought by Tropical Cyclone Jasper has triggered widespread flooding in far north Queensland, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. Cairns airport is closed, roads are extensively damaged and residents in the city’s northern beaches are cut off by floodwaters. Some rain gauges in the Barron and Daintree River catchments recorded more than 2m of rain over recent days, and more rain is expected. Water levels in the lower Barron River have smashed the previous record set by devastating floods in March 1977. On Monday morning, the ..read more

COP28 has closed with the announcement of the UAE Consensus, which the Presidency calls “a historic package to accelerate climate action”. Experts from the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance delve into the key takeaways, accomplishments and challenges that emerged in Dubai, and look ahead to what’s next. The Alliance was represented in Dubai by Concern Worldwide, the IFRC, the London School of Economics, Plan International, Practical Action and Mercy Corps. Find out more about our events and activities here. ‘Landmark’ agreement, or missed opportunity?  Following changes made to a highly cr ..read more

The first week of COP28 was not without its accomplishments, most notably on the issue of Loss and Damage. However, as the second and final week gets underway, much more will need to be achieved before the gathering in Dubai can be considered a success. As COP28 passes the halfway point, significant challenges continue to obstruct the path to a positive outcome and, crucially, restore trust in the process. The victories on Loss and Damage, while commendable, are by no means enough.  With this year being the hottest on record, a robust ‘energy package’ needs to be created, including the ph ..read more

Collaboration among different organisations helps to leverage resources when adapting to the changing climate. Plan International collaborated with a private company and the municipality of El Viejo, Chinandega in Nicaragua with the aim to help strengthen the communities’ natural capital base and establish a common understanding that together we can achieve more than by ourselves. Joining forces in Chinandega Plan International is a member of the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance and implements the “Increasing Flood Resilience in Central America” project in four communities in El Viejo, Chinand ..read more