India extends $840K climate risk protection aid to Tanzania
United Nations, Aug 1
India is giving Tanzania $840,000 in aid for a programme to provide financial protection against risk from climate change, according to India's Permanent Mission to the UN.
"India fully supports the Tanzanian Government's determination to the proposed project which shall serve as an effective vehicle in dealing with the climate-related hazards threatening lives and livelihood", the mission said on Friday.
The grant requested by the Tanzanian government will be routed through the India-UN Development Fund, which New Delhi set up with $150 million in 2017 in association with the UN to provide development assistance to the Global South.
The grant will be covered by the Fund's Commonwealth Window that specially gives grants to fellow nations in the group.
The unique feature of the India-UN Development Fund is that recipient countries themselves decide what they need the grants for and how they will use them.
That is in contrast to most development assistance programmes where the donors decide.
In this case, Tanzania's "national ownership is assured as the Disaster Management Department under the (Tanzanian) Prime Minister's Office leads the project, ensuring alignment with the country's priorities and strategic plans", the mission pointed out.
The mission said it was partnering with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in the project, which aims at supporting Tanzania's National Disaster Risk Financing Framework and Implementation Plan 2031 (NDRFFIP).
The mission said that the five-year plan seeks to strengthen financial preparedness and climate resilience of vulnerable communities, including women, people with disabilities, and low-income groups.
The proposal, formally known as "Enhancing Financial Resilience Through the Climate Insurance and Resilience Programme (CIRP)", will focus on the Disaster Risk Resilience financing framework to plug the gaps, the mission said.
According to the Tanzanian Prime Minister's office, the NDRFFIP's "National Disaster Risk Financing Framework (DRFF) 2025/26-2030/31 aims to enhance response capacity, ensure fiscal stability, and protect citizens".
Its core principles include timely funding, risk layering, efficient disbursement, adaptive capacity building, and multi-stakeholder engagement, according to the Tanzanian PMO.
"The framework signals a paradigm shift from reactive disaster management to proactive financial preparedness, integrating disaster risk financing into national and sector development planning and budgeting", it said.
It seeks to help the nation achieve its development goals by safeguarding lives and livelihoods through ensuring adequate, timely, and sustainable financing for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, the Tanzanian PMO added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Impressive that the $150 million India-UN fund is making a real difference. The fact that the recipient country drives the project is a refreshing change from typical aid models where the donor dictates terms. Good on India for this approach.
It's heartening to see India focusing on climate resilience, especially for vulnerable communities like women and disabled persons. But I hope there's transparency in how the funds are actually used on the ground. Development aid is only as good as its implementation. Still, a positive step.
As an Indian, I'm proud that we're helping fellow developing nations tackle climate change. The shift from reactive disaster management to proactive financial preparedness in Tanzania is exactly what we need globally. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
Interesting to see India taking a lead role in climate finance, especially through a fund where the recipient country has "national ownership." It sets a good precedent for other donors, though $840K is modest compared to larger climate funds. Still, every bit helps in building resilience.
This is a classic example of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - the world is one family. India's support for Tanzania's disaster risk framework is commendable. However, I wonder if we're doing enough for our own states facing climate risks like floods and cyclones. Balance is key.
K Kavya N