Acting under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has pledged US$10 million to strengthen the resilience of communities across the Asia-Pacific region in confronting natural disasters, Xpats.ae reported.
The initiative, launched through the UAE Aid Agency, will back Emirates Nature Society in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to roll out the “Community Resilience to Natural Disasters Programme.”
The announcement took place on the fourth day of the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress, hosted in Abu Dhabi.
This joint initiative between WWF and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is designed to employ nature-based solutions to enhance community capacity to withstand and adapt to natural hazards, improve disaster preparedness, and encourage sustainable livelihoods.
The UAE’s financial support of US$10 million will fund the programme’s first phase, aimed at mobilising additional co-financing from both public and private sector partners, as well as donor organisations. The goal is to expand the initiative’s impact and sustain its long-term objectives through collaborative action and shared responsibility.
Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, reaffirmed the UAE’s pioneering global role in fostering international cooperation for the benefit of humanity and the environment.
Dr. Al Ameri emphasised that this initiative reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to invest in preventive measures and strengthen the adaptive capabilities of local communities in the face of natural disasters. He noted that the collaboration between Emirates Nature and WWF demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to shifting from reaction to readiness — building resilience and empowering communities to effectively adapt and recover.
Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature–WWF, remarked that the UAE’s commitment highlights its belief that true resilience begins within communities. For over 25 years, Emirates Nature–WWF has worked closely with the country’s leadership and partners to empower people and protect nature. Extending this mission to the wider Asia-Pacific region allows for local collaboration to reinforce natural defences, safeguard livelihoods, and foster sustainable, thriving communities.
Kirsten Schuijt, Director-General of WWF International, stressed that nature remains one of humanity’s strongest allies in reducing disaster risks. Through this initiative, partners will empower communities to restore and manage ecosystems such as mangroves and mountains that naturally shield them from environmental threats, building safer and more resilient societies in the process. She described it as an investment in both ecological health and human security.
Nena Stoiljkovic, IFRC Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalisation, highlighted that as natural hazards become more frequent and intense, bolstering resilience before disasters strike is the key to saving lives. She noted that this initiative focuses on preparedness, adaptation, and risk mitigation—transforming potential hazards into manageable risks. By leveraging nature as a first line of defence, the programme will help communities strengthen their resilience, protect livelihoods, and minimise future losses.
The Community Resilience to Natural Disasters Programme is structured around three main pillars: restoring natural protective ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs; promoting sustainable livelihoods through eco-tourism, farming, fishing, and small-scale enterprises; and enhancing preparedness via early warning systems and community-based risk reduction plans.
The programme’s initial phase will be implemented in the Philippines, Indonesia, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands, creating a scalable foundation for expansion across the region in the coming years.
