Contribution to the Multi-Donor-Trust-Fund (MDTF) of the World Bank’s (WB) Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR)

GFDRR is a grant-making facility hosted by the WB – not a direct implementer – and works through partners to stimulate policy reforms and public investments that protect people from the natural hazard risks they face. In the financial year 2013, grants provided by GFDRR have proven critical for leveraging more than USD 3.8 billion in investments by the WB.

Besides financing, GFDRR provides on-the-ground technical assistance and capacity building activities. It supports national and local efforts of high-risk, low-income countries for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) into country-level strategies and policies, thereby reducing human and economic impacts of disasters.

Switzerland defines DRR as a strategic priority in international development cooperation, which is prominently reflected in the 1976 Federal Law on International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid. Moreover, the 2013–2016 Swiss Bill on International Cooperation marks the prevention and overcoming of crises, conflicts and natural catastrophes as number one of five strategic commitments.

SDC recognizes disaster risk as a threat to poverty reduction and consequently for sustainable development. GFDRR’s mandate to mainstream DRR and CCA into development strategies is fully in line with SDC’s integrated approach to DRR. Together with the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and UN Development Programme (UNDP), GFDRR forms part of SDC’s multilateral strategic partnership for DRR.

Risk identification: 59 single-country, 17 multi-country and 2 global grants helped over 55 countries improve their ability to identify and understand disaster risks.

Risk reduction: 90 grants in over 60 countries supported governments to make reducing risk a key component of their national development strategies.

Preparedness: 66 grants enabled over 50 countries to better design and implement forecasting and early warning systems, emergency response plans, emergency training and simulation exercises.

Financial protection: 33 grants in 29 countries helped strengthening the financial resilience of governments, the private sector, households and low-income populations.

Resilient recovery: GFDRR-supported post-disaster assessments are estimated to have helped guiding USD 3.36 billion in recovery and reconstruction to build 1.7 million homes, 3.600 km of roads, 2.300 schools, 1.400 wells, 685 safe shelters, as well as 600 health facilities.

In its capacity as a member of the Consultative Group (CG), GFDRR’s key decision- and policy-making body, Switzerland will pursue the following objectives:

1. Establish a clear strategy, including criteria catalogue, for country prioritization, resource allocation and country graduation,
2. Ensure constructive steering of donations under the new Multi-Donor-Trust-Fund (MDTF),
3. Enhance the linkages between GFDRR thematic initiatives and SDC programmes in the field,
4. Promote the use of high-quality Swiss expertise for technical assistance in GFDRR programmes,
5. Review planning, monitoring and reporting tools, including definition of SMART and measurable goals,
6. Ensure that recommendations made in the DARA evaluation report are applied.

GFDRR is a partnership of 41 countries and 8 international organizations, among others the WB, UNISDR, European Union (EU) and International Federation (IFRC). It acts as trustee of resources contributed by donors.

Major donors, who contribute at least USD 3 million in cash cumulatively over three consecutive years, are all represented in the CG. The CG creates the essence of long-term strategic objectives, while overseeing expected results. Financial resources are released upon approval by the CG.

Resulting from ongoing reform processes within the WB and to reduce fragmentation, the newly created MDTF consolidates the majority of donor contributions into one broad harmonized structure towards the programmatic agenda set out in GFDRR’s 2013-2015 Strategy, multi-year Work Plan, and Results Framework.

GFDRR also manages two special programmes: (1) the “Japan–WB Programme for Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management in Developing Countries”, financed by Japan, and (2) the “Initiative of the Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) Group of States”, financed by the EU.

Phase 9 01.07.2014 - 30.06.2017   (Completed)