Project Update - GIDRM IV (Vol II)

Dear readers,

We are excited to share the latest developments from the Global Initiative on Disaster Risk Management (GIDRM), as we continue our mission to embed risk-informed development (RID) thinking across sectors and around the globe.

In the face of global uncertainty, development decisions and processes need to account for risk. Without addressing risk, development efforts remain fragile—exposing communities to shocks that can exacerbate poverty, disrupt essential services, and delay recovery for generations. The recent earthquake in Myanmar is a sobering reminder of how quickly a natural hazard can unfold, lead to human loss and undo years of progress, especially in areas already facing economic and social fragility. As disasters grow in frequency, fuelled by climate change and rapid urbanisation, we must prioritise approaches that reduce vulnerability and build resilience from the ground up. The Myanmar earthquake, and the cascading effects and aftermath in the region—particularly, in the context of the USAID cuts—have shown us how the absence of risk prevention, preparedness and resilient systems can aggravate existing humanitarian crises. It reinforces why risk governance must be integrated into governmental planning, investment, and institutions at all levels.

Our work is closely aligned with the Sendai Framework, the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals—global commitments that offer a shared pathway to a more secure and equitable future. These frameworks not only guide our strategic direction but also reinforce the importance of integrated, cross-sectoral action on risk, resilience, and climate.

Disasters are not natural, but the result of inadequate prevention, poor preparation and neglected risks. Advancing risk-informed development goes beyond technical fixes—it’s fundamentally about collaboration. Tackling complex risks and strengthening resilience requires strong partnerships, coordinated efforts and a commitment to long-term thinking. At GIDRM, we are helping transform development decisions to be risk-informed and inclusive—driven by long-term thinking and shared responsibility. Together, we can shape a more resilient and equitable future for all.

Happy Reading,
GIDRM Team

Global

Bringing the global GIDRM team together

The GIDRM team met for a two-week workshop in Eschborn and Bonn, setting new milestones to further integrate disaster risk management into development processes. A key focus of the workshop was a deep dive into the Enabling Environment for Risk-Informed Development (EE4RID) process, with the team reflecting on the methodology and exploring ways to further integrate EE4RID into GIZ systems to support risk-informed development. As GIDRM is working with partner projects from Colombia, Georgia, Pakistan and Botswana, colleagues from each project presented entry points where risk-informed development can be further integrated into sectors such as urban development, good financial governance, climate adaptation or adaptive social protection. As a global project, the team used this unique opportunity to exchange in person.

Besides reflecting on BMZ’s approach to comprehensive risk management and disaster risk management (DRM), the team also focused on the links between gender and risk as the feminist development policy is a key cornerstone of the German international cooperation. Another highlight was the visit to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) office in Bonn to exchange on current developments in the field of DRM and the upcoming Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) in Geneva.

© GIDRM/GIZ

GIDRM at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) 2025

GIDRM is proud to actively contribute to the eighth session of the GPDRR from 2-6 June 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. The event supports global dialogue and action on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and resilience. Often referred to as “the DRR-COP”, the GPDRR is convened by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and this year runs under the theme “Every Day Counts, Act for Resilience Today”. Our engagement at the GP spans three key areas:

1. Innovation Platform: Showcasing Germany’s commitment to DRR

Hosted on behalf of the Federal Government and commissioned by the BMZ, GIDRM is preparing a booth at the innovation platform, which will present a curated collection of knowledge products showcasing Germany’s approach to disaster risk reduction, resilience and climate change adaptation under the theme "Committed to a resilient future for all: Germany’s whole-of-government approach to DRR“. The stand will feature contributions from various German institutions, such as AA, BMU, BMZ, DRK, BBK, and different GIZ projects. The content will be aligned with the priorities of the German Resilience Strategy and the Sendai Framework for DRR.

2. Knowledge and learning exchange on risk-informed development

GIDRM is hosting a knowledge and learning exchange titled “Transforming development to minimize risk creation” on June 3, 2025, in Geneva. This event aims to spark discussions about and inspire approaches for a more systematic integration of risks into development planning, guided by two key questions: How can we reduce disaster risks to protect our development efforts? How can we ensure that our development decisions do not create new risks? The focus is set on four key sectors:

• Urban development,
• Public investments,
• Social protection, and
• Natural resources management and ecosystem restoration.

The exchange will bring together decision-makers and technical experts from these sectors and diverse countries to share experiences, challenges, and lessons learned in advancing risk-informed development.

3. Shaping the GPDRR agenda through GIDRM expert contributions

At the Ignite Stage, we will be showcasing an initiative from the Rahim Yar Khan district in Pakistan, highlighting efforts to promote risk-informed development approaches.

GIDRM team members are also actively contributing to the design and organization of several key GPDRR sessions:

• High-Level Dialogue 1: Harnessing Risk Understanding for a Safer Future
• Technical Session 3-1: Integrating DRR in the Global Financial System
• High-Level Dialogue 2: Strengthening Comprehensive Disaster Risk Governance at National and Local Level

The official programme, as well as the dynamic agenda with a number of side events and informal sessions are now available on the GP2025 website. For many sessions, online participation is possible.

We look forward to engaging with partners and practitioners from around the world to advance inclusive, risk-informed, and sustainable development at GPDRR 2025.

Developing a guide on how to integrate DRM

Drawing on its experience in DRM, GIDRM is collaborating with GIZ colleagues from various sectors and thematic areas to co-develop so-called “technical offers” on how to integrate DRM into sectoral development projects and activities. These technical offers are envisioned to encompass proven tools, methodologies, indicator examples, evidence, good practices, project examples, and technical guidance, sourced from GIZ and other global institutions. This process supports the seamless integration of DRM and RID principles across various thematic issues, from urban development, good financial governance, climate, economic development, social protection, natural resources, water, to agriculture and food security.

The ultimate purpose is to address the needs and opportunities for the integration of DRM to become scalable options within GIZ project development. These integrated DRM approaches can also be reflected in the application of the OECD DAC policy marker on disaster risk reduction, which should be assigned as early as possible in the project cycle and is mandatory for BMZ-commissioned projects.

Colombia

Strengthening systemic approaches on DRM and migration

To generate new knowledge on disaster risk and the effects of climate change, GIDRM, Iniciativa Bogotá 2.0 (IB2.0) and the District Institute for Risk Management and Climate Change (IDIGER) held a workshop on DRM and migration. IB2.0 promotes cooperation among the various bodies of the district administration responsible for integration as well as with civil society actors to enable the economic and social integration of migrants and refugees, internally displaced persons and vulnerable members of host communities.

© GIDRM/GIZ

With several district secretariats such as—habitat, planning, social integration, and health—as well as government representatives in attendance, the objective was to integrate social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities through a joint workstream. The capital district has developed its annual work plan for 2025 that consists of different prioritised projects with a focus on the reduction of vulnerabilities and improvement of social and economic environments for more vulnerable populations. As an outcome of the workshop, it was agreed to carry out a process for the characterisation of social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities articulated between all the secretariats to allow for a comprehensive approach.

Integrated forest fire risk management for the Colombian Amazon

As part of the strategy developed by the GIDRM in conjunction with the Productive Forest Landscapes in Colombia (ProBosques II) project, key actions have been implemented to strengthen integrated forest fire risk management in the Colombian Amazon:

Strengthening forest fire monitoring and detection | One of the most significant milestones has been the development of a national diagnosis of the forest fire monitoring system—an initiative carried out in cooperation with the Colombian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM). This exercise has made it possible to comprehensively assess the country's current capabilities in fire detection, monitoring and analysis, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement in the generation of strategic information for decision-making. As part of this effort, the first international meeting on forest fire monitoring and detection in Latin America and the Caribbean was organised, bringing together experts from Mexico, Brazil and Bolivia. This event marked a first step towards the consolidation of a regional technical cooperation network, facilitating knowledge exchange and use of innovative methodologies in satellite and community monitoring of forest fires.

Strategic interventions in the Colombian Amazon | According to data from the SINCHI Institute, over 318,000 hectares were affected by fire in the Colombian Amazon in 2024, underlining the urgent need to strengthen local capacities. In response, the project provided technical and operational support to the volunteer fire brigades of Miraflores (Guaviare), Cartagena del Chairá (Caquetá) and La Macarena (Meta). This intervention included the provision of specialised equipment, machinery and tools for fire containment and personal protection equipment, directly benefiting 57 firefighting units and significantly enhancing their emergency response capabilities. To consolidate these actions, a training programme will be implemented in 2025, designed to improve competencies in the prevention, containment and control of forest fires. Aimed at volunteer firefighters, environmental authorities and entities of the Municipal Disaster Risk Management System, the training seeks to strengthen inter-institutional coordination and the effectiveness of operational responses in the most risk-prone territories.

Education and community co-responsibility | Besides strengthening the capacities of the local response bodies, two virtual courses on forest fire prevention, aimed at community leaders and environmental educators, have been updated. This initiative is part of the national forest fire prevention strategy, led by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, and contributes to raising awareness and knowledge exchange at the national level.

Strategic communication and event preparedness | GIDRM has contributed to the #AlertaClimática campaign, an initiative of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, that seeks to raise risk awareness associated with forest fires. Through the production and dissemination of communication material to a broader audience, fire prevention has been strengthened.

International partnerships and technical cooperation | Given that forest protection and forest fire risk reduction are priorities within national and international commitments on climate action, progress was made in the articulation with international organisations such as the European Union, FAO and UNDRR. Thanks to these alliances, technical cooperation mechanisms have been facilitated that will strengthen national capacities in fire management and risk reduction over the medium and long term.

Results of the Red LAC working group on Urban Development and DRM

The Red LAC sub-group on urban development and disaster risk management brings together advisors from different GIZ programmes and projects at the global level. United by a shared commitment to strengthen resilient and sustainable urban systems, the group shares experiences, knowledge, good practices and lessons learned to improve risk awareness and strengthen governance for decision making.

Workstreams in 2024 were:

• Resilient investment and financing
• Risk knowledge (prospective analysis of multi-hazard risks, generation of risk scenarios)
• Risk reduction (stream management, flood management, etc.)
• Risk preparedness: early warning systems
• Mainstreaming of the intersectionality approach into risk management

Four webinars were held, bringing not only different projects but also key partners. Members of the working group also participated in two regional GIZ conferences, namely the Red LAC meeting in Lima in June, and the Gader ALC in Bogotá in November 2024.

Another key objective was to strengthen collaboration among GIZ colleagues—particularly within the GIZ sectoral department (FMB) —through the development of a knowledge product that compiles various comprehensive risk management instruments for both urban and rural planning. The toolbox is currently only available GIZ-internally here.

Georgia

Risk profiles for tourism, municipal budgeting and Urban Development

In December 2024, validation meetings between GIDRM and partner projects marked a substantial advancement in the finalisation of risk profiles across three critical sectors in Georgia: tourism, municipal budgeting and urban development. Additionally, the workshop aimed at raising participants' awareness of risk-related considerations in their project activities. The EE4RID process and its preliminary findings and recommendations were discussed, and suggestions, initiatives, and feedback were gathered to refine sector risk profiles. The final document, incorporating stakeholders’ input, is expected in April 2025. Targeted strategies for incorporating RID into investment projects and sectoral initiatives were developed through discussions for the respective partner projects:

Good Financial Governance (GFG) supports selected municipalities in planning and implementing municipal budgets in a more results-oriented, gender-sensitive, and participatory manner. To achieve this goal, GFG intends to advise pilot municipalities on introducing a risk-informed budget policy, which integrates DRM principles into municipal budgeting and the allocation of funds for risk mitigation and disaster preparedness. In 2024, GFG conducted a baseline study in two selected municipalities to evaluate whether DRM principles are being considered in their budgetary processes and to develop recommendations for strengthening their integration moving forward. Building on the findings, along with the identified gaps and needs, GFG, in cooperation with GIDRM, plans to launch advisory activities aimed at integrating risk-informed budget policies at the local level.

© GIDRM/GIZ

Sustainable Urban Development (SUD) focuses on the integration of climate and gender perspectives into urban investment initiatives of Batumi and Zugdidi. These interventions include flood management in Zugdidi and improving pedestrian mobility in the historical district neighbourhood in Batumi. Urban flooding has been identified as a key issue, driven by heavy rainfall and the limitations of the existing storm water infrastructure. A team (including a climate expert) will be assigned to develop a neighbourhood concept explicitly specifying the need to incorporate DRM measures and nature-based solutions to mitigate urban flooding.

VET in Georgia’s Growth Sectors emphasises a strong commitment to safety in the areas of tourism, transport, wine, and construction. The elevated vulnerability of the pilot regions Zemo and Kvemo Svaneti/Mestia was highlighted with plans for the Agency of Protected Areas to incorporate disaster and climate risks into its management plan. Engagement with SME/MSMEs in the tourism sector presents additional opportunities for RID integration.

Pakistan

Growing Stronger Together – Expanding the GIDRM Team

Our GIDRM team in Pakistan has expanded—we’re now a team of five dedicated professionals working closely to integrate DRM across the GIZ Pakistan portfolio. This growth reflects the increasing recognition of RID in Pakistan. We’re aiming to expand even further by adding more colleagues to our DRM taskforce in the coming months. A key development includes our upcoming cooperation with the Participatory Local Governance project on risk-informed public financial management and especially the integration of climate and disaster risks in local budget planning. This approach of shared positions with partner projects has been a driving force behind our success, fostering stronger connections across clusters and projects, helping us move beyond silo thinking and mainstreaming DRM as a core principle in all development efforts.

The GIDRM Pakistan team and the moderator Dr. Kamal Ahmed (3rd from the left). © GIDRM/GIZ

Engaging Stakeholders – Key Events on Risk-Informed Development

To promote a deeper understanding of risk-informed development, a series of events took place:

Consultation workshops in Rahim Yar Khan (Punjab) and Swat (KP) in September 2024 brought together stakeholders from district and provincial levels to discuss and reflect on systemic risks. These workshops helped decision-makers explore how choices in one sector can create unintended consequences in other sectors, thereby increasing the risk of future disasters. More information on the consultation workshops can be found in the EE4RID consulatation workshop report.

The roundtable on Transforming Development to Minimise Risk Creation held in Islamabad in February 2025 was a national-level dialogue that brought together government leaders, development experts, and practitioners to explore how risk-informed development can be prmoted in Pakistan.

© GIDRM/GIZ

Key Takeaways:
✅ Disasters are not “natural”—our development choices shape disaster risks. Poorly planned investments can create vulnerabilities rather than reduce them.
✅ We need to rethink development by embedding disaster and climate risks into policies, planning, and investments.
✅ Collaboration is essential—no single stakeholder can address these challenges alone. Collective action is key to making risk-informed development the norm. As Mr. Asghar Ali, Deputy Secretary (Paris Club) at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, rightly stated: “Risk-informed development is not a choice; it is a necessity.”

GloBe Leadership Visit – Strengthening Partnerships and Understanding

We were honoured to host the Head of Division Peace and Security at GIZ, Ms. Jule Schultz, during a 10-day visit to Pakistan. The need to invest in sustainable development that can withstand future crises was highlighted during the visit: In Lahore, discussions focused on the future of the textile industry and its growing exposure to climate and disaster risks. In Islamabad, the HDP Nexus in Pakistan was explored, examining the intersection of humanitarian, development, and peace efforts, and how DRM can enhance these linkages. In Karachi, the Second National Conference on Social Protection provided insights into how DRM can strengthen adaptive social protection systems.

© GIDRM/GIZ

Promoting risk-informed development is not just about technical solutions and integration of DRM measures into existing processes, it is about working together. Strong partnerships, shared knowledge and coordinated action are essential to addressing complex risks and building resilience. We look forward to the road ahead and to continuing this journey with all our partners and stakeholders.

Southern African Development Community – SADC

Integrating RID into Natural Resources Management

The Southern African region, rich in natural resources, has long harnessed its wildlife to drive the region’s economy, with wildlife-based tourism accounting for an impressive 97% of the sector. This generates revenue for governments, supports private tourism businesses by providing employment and income for individuals. Introduced to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region in the early 1990s, the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) concept has become an important regional strategy for member states to safeguard, conserve, and co-benefit from the natural assets along international boundaries. Since their inception, TFCAs have enhanced conservation efforts, fostered economic development, and facilitated socio-cultural integration across the region.

Despite the vital role of TFCAs, recurring droughts, floods, and human wildlife conflicts, exacerbated by land degradation, climate change and global warming, threaten sustainability and could reverse the developmental gains achieved in the natural resources management (NRM) sector. The 2023/2024 El-Niño-induced floods and droughts in the SADC region caused one of the worst food insecurity crises, affecting over 17.9% of the region’s population due to harvest failures and high livestock losses. This underscores the need for GIDRM and its partners, namely, the Joint Action NaturAfrica/Climate Resilience, Natural Resources Management (CNRM) and the SADC Secretariat, to promote risk-informed development.

The Joint Action NaturAfrica/C-NRM has supported in the establishment and development of TFCAs within the SADC region and recognises Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) as key to guiding development decisions within the TFCAs. IDPs serve as a potential entry point to facilitate mainstreaming of the risk-informed approach in natural resources management.

© GIDRM/GIZ

To explore ways to integrate risk-informed development into IDP development processes, C-NRM and GIDRM hosted an inter-institutional roundtable in February 2025. Experts from other GIZ programmes, such as the Transboundary Water Management Programme, Growing Greener Programme and the Cooling Programme for Southern Africa (CooPSA), participated alongside regional RID and IDP experts to discuss and map out strategies by using the EE4RID framework. The session focused on both raising understanding and awareness regarding the RID approach and the application of the EE4RID framework. The primary purpose of the session was to brainstorm and identify steps necessary to transform the IDP development process into a risk-informed approach to address existing risks and minimise risk creation. A key proposal was to incorporate risk assessments, analysis, and recommendations into the situational analysis stage of the IDP development, ensuring broader sectoral representation in stakeholder consultations that align with the SADC TFCA guidelines. Moving on, the CNRM and GIDRM will advance this approach through targeted activities and knowledge exchange platforms.

DRM KNOWLEDGE CORNER

Knowledge Map for Risk Informed Development

GIDRM has developed a Knowledge Map, compiling links to publications, videos and other knowledge products that can strengthen the application of DRM across sectors and, thereby, support the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and other global agendas. The map serves as a guide for practitioners in identifying key entry points for integrating DRM to transform development planning to be more risk-informed.

Advancing Gender Equality in Disaster Risk Management

Gender equality is fundamental not only to GIZ as an organisation but also to effective DRM. With the recent launch of the GIZ Gender Strategy 2025-2029, we reaffirm our commitment to addressing systemic inequalities and ensuring equal opportunities for all. This strategy is built on three core pillars:

1. Tackling the root causes of gender-based discrimination,
2. Empowering change agents in state institutions and civil society, and
3. Strengthening institutional capacity to mainstream gender perspectives across all areas of work.

As such, this strategy reflects principles that GIDRM applies in the field of DRM and RID.

Disasters exacerbate existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting women, marginalised communities, and those with limited access to resources. They often create new and reinforce existing (gender) inequalities, discrimination, and social exclusion. Recognising this, GIDRM integrates an intersectional lens into all processes, focusing on how social categories and power dynamics shape risk. Our EE4RID framework focuses on structural factors and root causes of risks, ensuring that development cooperation goes beyond crises response and towards preventing and reducing risks as well as planning risk-informed interventions. By engaging all stakeholders—from governments to local communities in inclusive DRR—EE4RID lays the base for creating safer and more equitable societies.

Capacity development remains central to our work. By providing resources, tools and tailored support, we aim to equip policymakers and practitioners for implementing inclusive DRM approaches. Our global knowledge exchange events provide a platform for various stakeholders to collaborate, learn from one another and identify shared values. Our efforts echo the GIZ Gender Strategy’s call for institutional capacity building, ensuring that gender considerations are mainstreamed within GIZ and beyond.

GIDRM strives for the future where gender equality and disaster resilience go hand in hand. By tackling root causes of risks and inequalities, as well as fostering cross-sectoral partnerships, GIDRM is paving the way toward needs-based interventions that lead to a resilient and risk-informed future. As we move forward, we will continue refining our approaches to keep gender equality at the heart of disaster risk management.

Thank you for reading!