Over the past 53 years (1970-2022) Asia and the Pacific on average has experienced almost ten weather, climate, water, seismic-related disasters per month. This translates to approximately 3,200 lives lost and US$3.8 million in economic damages every month. The number of recorded disasters increased by a factor of five globally and in the region by a factor of four over the same 53-year period. Early warnings for all is a key adaptation measure that saves lives and livelihoods and minimizes loss and damage; estimated to provide more than a tenfold return on investment – the greatest of any adaptation measure.

2022 saw the United Nations Secretary-General unveiling the “Executive Action Plan on Early Warnings for All” aimed at ensuring that everyone on the planet is protected by early warning systems within the next five years. Countries with limited early warning coverage have disaster mortality which is eight times higher than in countries with high coverage. ‘Early Warnings for All’ is more critical in the Asia-Pacific, as the world’s most disaster-impacted as well as most populous region.

Following the devastation caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, there was a strong recognition across the Asia-Pacific region of the need to undertake coordinated, long-term efforts to mitigate the impact of natural hazards through effective preparedness and prevention measures, including the establishment and further strengthening of early warning systems.

Since its inception in 2005, the ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness has supported 31 projects with a budget of approximately $16.1 million and directly benefitted 20 countries. Through contributions from Thailand, Sweden, India, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Netherlands, the Trust Fund is evidence of how South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation can be mutually supportive. The Trust Fund works with governments, inter-governmental organizations, NGOs, media and civil society to build resilience to natural disasters in Asia and the Pacific.

Guided by the Strategic Note for 2021-2024, the Trust Fund continues to evolve and build on the opportunities offered by the global and regional commitments to further scale up, share and replicate successful pilots in multi-hazard early warning systems through regional cooperation. Investments in these systems have brought substantial benefits in terms of economies-of-scale. The Trust Fund has also proven to be an effective vehicle for countries to access and share data, tools, and expertise to support disaster resilience in the region.

In accordance with the Trust Fund’s Terms and Conditions, this Annual Report provides an overview of the results of the Trust Fund in 2022. It also describes the financial status of the Trust Fund and the activities carried out by the secretariat.

Since its inception in 2005, the ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness has supported 31 projects with a budget of approximately $16.1 million and directly benefitted 20 countries. Through contributions from Thailand, Sweden, India, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Netherlands, the Trust Fund is evidence of how South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation can be mutually supportive. The Trust Fund works with governments, inter-governmental organizations, NGOs, media and civil society to build resilience to natural disasters in Asia and the Pacific.

Guided by the Strategic Note for 2021-2024, the Trust Fund continues to evolve and build on the opportunities offered by the global and regional commitments to further scale up, share and replicate successful pilots in multi-hazard early warning systems through regional cooperation. Investments in these systems have brought substantial benefits in terms of economies-of-scale. The Trust Fund has also proven to be an effective vehicle for countries to access and share data, tools, and expertise to support disaster resilience in the region.

In accordance with the Trust Fund’s Terms and Conditions, this Annual Report provides an overview of the results of the Trust Fund in 2022. It also describes the financial status of the Trust Fund and the activities carried out by the secretariat.

[1] Global Commission on Adaptation, 2019, ‘Adapt Now’.