UN DRR 2025 Global Assessment Report
10 Key findings:
The GAR 2025 powerfully argues that resilience isn’t a cost—it’s an investment. It documents the mounting cost of disasters, frames risk as systemic and preventable, and advocates a shift toward risk-informed development with equity, innovation, and finance at its core.
1. 🚨 Disasters cost trillions annually
Global disaster costs now exceed $2.3 trillion per year, accounting for cascading economic and ecosystem impacts, with direct losses of about $202 billion
2. 🔒 Low insurance coverage increases vulnerability
Most disaster-related losses remain uninsured—even in wealthy nations, deepening financial shocks.
3. 🌍 Developing countries disproportionately exposed
As of 2023, only 49% of Least Developed Countries have multi-hazard early warning systems. Vulnerable nations face higher economic and mortality impacts.
4. 💰 Prevention underfunded—but high pay-off
Only 2% of development aid is spent on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), yet every $1 invested saves $15 in recovery.
5. 🏙️ Systemic interlinked risks
Hazards now cascade through sectors—floods triggering health crises, supply chain disruptions, infrastructure failure. A siloed response is no longer sufficient.
6. 🌡️ Climate change intensifies risks
Extreme events—wildfires, floods, storms—are increasing in severity and frequency due to climate change. Sea-level rise adds further threats.
7. 🏙️ Unsafe urban expansion
Rapid, unplanned urban growth (especially informal settlements) places more people and assets in harm’s way, often with poor access to infrastructure and early warning.
8. 👫 Social inequality magnifies disaster impacts
Marginalized groups—women, children, elderly, Indigenous peoples—are more vulnerable and less equipped to recover. The report emphasizes inclusive, gender‑responsive planning.
9. 📡 Early warning systems save lives & money
Countries with multi‑hazard early warnings see mortality rates eight times lower. Investment of $3.1 billion by 2027 could protect everyone—yielding returns of US $3–16 billion annually.
10. 🛠️ Innovative financing & governance solutions
The report calls for:
Integrated, whole-of-government and society approaches
Scaling nature-based solutions (wetlands, mangroves)
Fiscal tools (catastrophe bonds, SDRs, risk pools)
Public-private partnerships bridging resilience gaps
🔑 Strategic Imperatives (2025–2030)
Rebalance investment: Shift focus from post-disaster response to proactive risk reduction.
Empower local actors: Provide funding, data, and authority to municipalities.
Drive innovation: Leverage AI, geospatial tech, digital twins for better forecasting.
Advance equity: Embed inclusive and gender-responsive approaches.
Strengthen global solidarity: Bolster South-South cooperation, regional risk pools, and Sendai/Paris/SDGs alignment bimabazaar.com.
