Executive Summary
Communities across the world are increasingly exposed to climate-related disasters such as floods, landslides, droughts, coastal storms, and heatwaves. Conventional gray infrastructure alone is often costly, inflexible, and insufficient to address growing disaster risks, particularly in vulnerable regions.
This project promotes nature-based solutions (NbS) as a cost-effective and sustainable approach to disaster risk reduction (DRR). By restoring and protecting natural ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, mangroves, and river basins, and integrating them into local disaster risk management, the project will reduce hazard exposure, strengthen ecosystem services, and enhance community resilience.
Background and Problem Statement
Climate change, environmental degradation, and unplanned land use have significantly increased disaster risks. Deforestation, wetland loss, soil erosion, and coastal ecosystem degradation have weakened natural buffers that protect communities from floods, storm surges, landslides, and droughts. Vulnerable populations—particularly low-income households, women, and indigenous communities—are disproportionately affected.
While disaster risk reduction strategies increasingly recognize the value of ecosystem-based approaches, implementation at the community level remains limited due to weak institutional capacity, lack of awareness, and insufficient investment. There is an urgent need to mainstream nature-based solutions into local and national DRR planning.
Project Goal and Objectives
Overall Goal
To reduce disaster risks and enhance community resilience through the implementation of nature-based solutions.
Specific Objectives
- To restore and protect ecosystems that reduce disaster risks.
- To integrate nature-based solutions into community-level disaster risk management.
- To strengthen local capacity and awareness of ecosystem-based DRR approaches.
- To promote inclusive, community-led environmental stewardship.
Target Areas and Beneficiaries
- Disaster-prone communities in floodplains, coastal zones, and hilly or drought-affected regions
- Households exposed to climate-related hazards
- Women, youth, indigenous peoples, and marginalized groups
- Local authorities and community-based organizations
Key Activities
- Disaster Risk and Ecosystem Assessments
- Mapping hazard risks and degraded ecosystems
- Identifying priority nature-based interventions
- Ecosystem Restoration and Protection
- Restoration of wetlands, mangroves, forests, and riverbanks
- Community-led afforestation and soil conservation initiatives
- Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction
- Integrating NbS into local DRR and contingency plans
- Establishing community stewardship and maintenance groups
- Capacity Building and Awareness
- Policy and Knowledge Integration
- Supporting local governments to incorporate NbS into DRR and climate adaptation plans
- Documentation and dissemination of lessons learned
Expected Outcomes and Results
- Reduced exposure and vulnerability to climate-related disasters
- Restored ecosystems providing natural protection and livelihoods
- Increased community knowledge and ownership of disaster risk reduction
- Strengthened local DRR planning incorporating nature-based solutions
- Improved environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation
Cross-Cutting Themes
- Climate Adaptation and Resilience
- Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
- Environmental Sustainability and Biodiversity Protection
- Community Ownership and Participation
Implementation Strategy and Partnerships
The project will be implemented through partnerships with local governments, environmental organizations, research institutions, and community groups. A participatory and ecosystem-based approach will ensure alignment with national DRR frameworks, climate adaptation strategies, and biodiversity goals.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
A results-based MEL framework will track ecosystem restoration outcomes, reduced disaster risks, and community resilience indicators. Participatory monitoring will support adaptive management and continuous learning.
Sustainability and Exit Strategy
Sustainability will be ensured through community stewardship, integration of NbS into local policies, and long-term ecosystem management plans. Strengthened local institutions and financing mechanisms will support continued maintenance beyond the project period.
Indicative Budget (Summary)
- Ecosystem assessments and planning
- Restoration and conservation activities
- Capacity building and community engagement
- Monitoring, evaluation, and project management
(Detailed budget available upon request.)
Conclusion
Nature-based solutions provide a powerful and sustainable pathway to reducing disaster risks while delivering environmental, social, and economic co-benefits. By restoring ecosystems and empowering communities to manage natural resources, this project addresses the root causes of disaster vulnerability rather than only its consequences.
Investing in nature-based solutions for disaster risk reduction will not only protect lives and livelihoods but also strengthen biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable development outcomes. This integrated approach ensures that communities are better prepared for future climate-related disasters while safeguarding natural systems for generations to come.
