CRM in Maldives: Strengthening synergies and alignment of DRR and climate action

UNDRR delivers technical assistance to the Maldvides on CRM

UNDRR supported the Maldives to strengthen coherence between disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation by applying a comprehensive risk management approach to the development of a climate action-aligned national DRR strategy. The engagement aimed to enhance institutional coordination, integrate hazard assessment findings into adaptation planning, and reduce policy fragmentation across climate and disaster governance frameworks.
 

Activities

• Convening and Joint Risk Understanding: A National CRM workshop was co-organized with the government of the Maldives in 2022 to kick-start developing an integrated plan (inaugurated by the Minister of Defence). Facilitated multi-sectoral dialogue on integrating climate futures into inclusive DRR planning. Following a government transition, supported an agreement on two aligned strategies (DRR strategy and NAP). 

• Technical Assistance for developing the national DRR strategy and strengthening synergies and alignment with the NAP development (2023-2024): Technical assistance to support the integration of DRR into the NAP. This includes technical support to NDMA to engage with the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy (MCCEE). UNDRR supported both the development of the DRR strategy and NAP through a consultant and strong engagement with NDMA, MCCEE, and UNEP, among others. 

• Coordination and facilitation of knowledge exchange: Established a peer exchange between the Maldives and the Pacific Island states to facilitate learning from their integrated strategies and supported the Maldives engagement in international fora to share and receive experiences from other SIDS. 

• Multi-hazard Early Warning System Integration and Localization: UNDRR has supported further integration of CCA and DRR in the EW4All initiative, including climate change integration into the National Roadmap and
furthering efforts in local and urban resilience through the MCR2030 initiative. Furthermore, the creation and dissemination of resilience for all in the Maldives was supported through consultancy support. 

• Climate and DRR Financing Alignment: UNDRR is also strengthening linkages with CCA and DRR in the Maldives through a joint effort on a GCF proposal being led by UNEP and MCCEE, using its strategic position to help bring together NDMA with MCCEE and various other ministries.

Outcomes

• Updated and climate action-aligned “Maldives National DRR Strategy 2024-2030”, published in 2025. 
• Reduced policy fragmentation by aligning national DRR and adaptation strategies under a comprehensive risk management approach. An overview of linkages can be found in the “Framework of DRR/CCA processes that links to the National Adaptation Plan processes” in the DRR strategy.
• Improved integration of hazard assessment data into national adaptation planning, strengthening evidence-based decision-making. • Enhanced whole-of-government coordination across defence, planning, climate, and disaster management institutions. • Positioned the Maldives to better leverage climate finance (including GCF processes) through coherent risk-informed planning. 
• • Strengthened foundations for systemic risk management in a highly exposed Small Island Developing State context.