According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), less than 5% of disaster-related funding is allocated to disaster risk reduction (DRR), and only 1.2% of global humanitarian assistance reaches local and national actors. Addressing this critical issue, the Asian Preparedness Partnership (APP) is pleased to announce the launch of the Asian Disaster Readiness Fund (ADRF). Established within the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), the ADRF is dedicated to enhancing the preparedness of local actors, anticipating risks, and improving emergency response and recovery through collaborative, multi-stakeholder approaches.

Background:Strengthening Regional Preparedness

Since its inception in 2017, the APP has been at the forefront of improving disaster preparedness and emergency response across Asia. With founding member countries including Cambodia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Lao PDR (since 2023), the APP has fostered collaboration among governments, humanitarian organizations, the private sector, academia, and the media. Supported by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID BHA), APP has driven significant progress in disaster management through training, capacity building, and knowledge sharing.

Despite these advancements, a significant challenge remains the scarcity of funding for disaster risk reduction (DRR). To address this critical gap, the ADRF has been established as a dedicated fund to support locally-led disaster preparedness and response initiatives.

Introducing the Asian Disaster Readiness Fund (ADRF)

The Asian Disaster Readiness Fund (ADRF) is a pivotal initiative under the Asian Preparedness Partnership (APP) to empower local actors to prepare for disasters, leading to improved emergency response and recovery. Institutionalized within the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), the ADRF mobilizes, manages, and allocates flexible funding to support multi-sectoral partnerships and enhance locally-led disaster risk management across Asia.

The main objective of the ADRF is " to strengthen the preparedness of the local actors to anticipate risks and enhance emergency response and recovery through multi-stakeholder approaches."

ADRF's operational principles emphasize a bottom-up approach, meaningful actions, and long-term effectiveness. It aims to be inclusive, co-governed, and focused on fostering coordination among diverse stakeholders.

Objectives of the ADRF Launch

The launch of the ADRF will achieve key objectives stated below:

1. Formal Announcement: Introduce the ADRF, detailing its purpose and significance in the context of disaster preparedness and response in Asia.
2. Funding Cycle 2024 and Call for Proposals: Outline the first 'Funding Cycle 2024,' including priority themes, eligibility criteria, and the application process under the 'Call for Proposals.'

Methodology

The launch event will be held virtually on 30th July 2024 from 11:30 - 13:00 hrs Bangkok time (GMT+7) via Zoom to ensure broad participation from key stakeholders across the region. For those interested in attending, the Zoom link is: https://adpc-net.zoom.us/j/98100485587?pwd=bqlDqOfeUalKLF6v2RYv5aMBCWZVrk.1

Participants

The participants for the ADRF launch will include senior representatives from the local partners from the APP countries, including the Government, local NGO, and private sector networks; ADRF committee members; network members of the National Preparedness Partnerships; donors, development partners, and other observers; and ADPC officials and staff.

The launch of the ADRF represents a significant step forward in enhancing disaster preparedness and emergency response across Asia. The ADRF is poised to strengthen communities and create a more disaster-resilient region by directing resources to local actors and promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration. We eagerly anticipate your engagement in this crucial initiative and look forward to working together towards a safer and more prepared future.