Climate change increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters, highlighting the need for local governments to strengthen preparedness, response, and resilience. Building climate resilience involves risk assessments, 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.
Local governments are crucial in climate-resilient development and disaster risk resilience, as they adopt broader policies to fit specific local and geographical contexts, they also design and deliver hands-on emergency evacuation plans, they conduct urban and spatial planning for their communities and are often (at least partially) responsible for water and waste management services. They assess regional risks and tailor disaster management plans to address the unique vulnerabilities of their areas. By managing infrastructure and land use, they can ensure development aligns with local climate realities. They engage and educate communities, empowering them to reduce risks in ways that suit their particular circumstances. During disasters, local governments lead emergency responses and focus on recovery efforts that enhance long-term resilience, always adapting national policies to meet the specific needs of their communities.
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)
VNG International’s approach is based on supporting local governments to be able to independently prepare for, respond to, and manage disasters, as well as plan for climate resilience in their long-term development. Our approach is needs-based and we work together with the mandated authorities as well as communities for scenario planning and practices to ensure sustainable solutions.
Our approach includes various 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 planninglocally
- strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration
- developing early warning systems
- flood risk mitigation through a.o. pilot projects and nature-based solutions
Additionally, VNG International supports 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.