WRRC Webinar: Unlocking Financial Potential: Scalable Solutions for Resilient Recovery

The webinar held in preparation for the World Resilient Recovery Conference (WRRC) and the 8th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, brought together 196 participants from various sectors and regions. The session aimed to identify key barriers and potential solutions that countries and international organizations face in designing and implementing recovery finance strategies. Real-world cases were discussed, showcasing actionable solutions for governments, private sector entities, and community organizations to enhance financial coverage for recovery efforts.

This webinar was jointly organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and the United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS).

Session objectives

The session served as a precursor to the technical session at the World Resilient Recovery Conference (WRRC), gathering feedback on key recovery finance topics and elements identified. It will explore the challenges countries face when tackling finance recovery readiness, identifying key barriers to effective recovery. It shared successful strategies and tools for financing recovery processes. Interested stakeholders will be engaged in the WRRC, fostering collaboration and broadening participation. The panel discussion explored successful financial strategies for disaster recovery and emphasized the importance of strategic financial planning, coordinated efforts between governments, the private sector and international organizations.

The webinar further aimed to:

1. Highlight the role of different finance recovery stakeholders.
2. Highlight key challenges and lessons learned from past disasters.
3. Formulate concrete challenges countries and international partners face in recovery financing.
4. Set the stage for in-depth discussions at the WRRC technical session.

Key recommendations

• Strengthened collaboration between public and private sectors to address recovery challenges more effectively
• Development of inclusive, nationally led recovery plans that engage local governments and communities from the outset
• Integration of disaster and climate risk into overall financial planning and management to enable more resilient and effective recovery
• Enhancement of pre-arranged financial mechanisms, such as insurance and contingency loans, to improve speed and predictability of funding
• Improved coordination across local, national and international actors to align resources and ensure efficient, equitable recovery efforts

Speakers

• Moderator: Ms. Sinja Buri, Team Lead, MCII Implementation and Research Team, United Nations University - Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)
• Opening remarks: Mr. Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
• Keynote: Ms. Shakira Mustapha, Research Lead, Centre for Disaster Protection
• Shri. Sanjeev Kumar Jindal, Additional Secretary, Disaster Management Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, India
• Mr. Jaime Tramon, Senior Policy Advisor, Financial and international Affairs Division, Ministry of Finance, Chile
• Dr. Babatunde A. Ahonsi, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Türkiye
• Mr. Kipkorir Koskei, Director, Strategic Partnerships and Policy, Insurance Development Forum 

Watch the recording