Climate change increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters. This highlights the urgent need for local governments to strengthen their capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related shocks. Building climate resilience requires early warning systems, nature-based solutions and resilient infrastructure, with community participation and capacity-building as key components. Post-disaster efforts focus on rebuilding stronger, integrating lessons to improve future preparedness.
The critical role of local governments
Local governments are on the front line of climate-resilient development. They translate national policies into practical local action, adapting them to the specific geographical and social contexts of their communities. Their responsibilities include:
- Designing and implementing emergency evacuation and disaster management plans.
- Conducting urban and spatial planning that accounts for climate risks.
- Managing water and waste services, often under increasing climate pressure.
- Assessing local vulnerabilities and tailoring risk reduction measures accordingly.
- Leading emergency responses and long-term recovery efforts.
- Engaging and educating communities to take locally appropriate risk-reduction actions.
Through land-use management and infrastructure planning, local authorities can ensure that development aligns with the realities of a changing climate, enhancing both immediate safety and long-term resilience.
VNG International’s experience
VNG International has a vast experience in supporting the climate resilience of local governments through both short- and long-term disaster risk resilience strategies. We have developed expertise across various sectors, including:
- Crisis and/or disaster risk management and resilience (Sint Maarten, Iraq, Turkey)
- Flood and water management in urban and rural contexts (Mozambique, South Sudan, Iraq, Benin, Egypt)
- Improving green and climate resilient infrastructure (Dominican Republic, Iraq, Jordan)
- Sustainable urban and spatial planning in response to climate-related disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods (Turkey, Morocco)
- Supporting access to and management of funds for climate-related projects (Czech Republic and Dominican Republic)
Our approach is needs-based and focused on building the independent capacity of local authorities. We work closely with mandated institutions and communities to ensure that solutions are locally owned and sustainable.
Tools and methods we use
To help local governments become more resilient, VNG International provides support through a comprehensive set of tools:
- Preparing and implementing crisis management plans.
- Creating and supporting with implementation of legal frameworks, ensuring these are well-prepared for emergencies.
- Fostering collaboration among stakeholders through disaster prevention strategies and plans.
- Supporting creation of local response units.
- Providing training, simulations, and scenario-planning for local response units.
- Improving policy-making and planning locally.
- Strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration.
- Developing early warning systems.
- Flood risk mitigation through a.o. pilot projects and nature-based solutions.
Additionally, we support the development of green, climate-resilient infrastructure by enhancing spatial planning and integrating climate adaptation into municipal projects, while also increasing access to climate-resilient housing for vulnerable communities and boosting local tax revenues for urban development.