The Maldives has participated in a high-level meeting to launch the South Asia Disaster Risk Reduction (SADRR) Programme, an initiative aimed at strengthening disaster resilience across seven South Asian countries.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chief Executive Hisaan Hassan and Secretary General Sofeenaz Hassan represented the Maldives at the virtual meeting.
The European Union (EU) funds the programme, which the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the European Space Agency (ESA) jointly implement.
NDMA said the programme will use satellite-based Earth observation and meteorological services to support risk-informed planning, climate change adaptation and stronger early warning systems. It will also support efforts to develop disaster-resilient infrastructure.
During a panel discussion at the meeting, NDMA Chief Executive Hisaan Hassan outlined the Maldives' priorities for coastal protection, flood risk management and safeguarding critical infrastructure. He also highlighted the importance of taking preventive measures before disasters occur.
Hisaan further emphasised the need to incorporate satellite data into national risk assessments and decision-making systems.
The Maldives was among the earliest member countries of CDRI's Governing Council. NDMA Secretary General Sofeenaz Hassan also serves on the Steering Committee of Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS), representing island countries in the Indian Ocean.
Welcoming the launch of the programme, NDMA expressed its appreciation to CDRI, the European Union and ESA. The authority also expressed hope that the initiative would further strengthen regional efforts to build safer communities and develop disaster-resilient infrastructure.