Harnessing technical expertise for infrastructure resilience [Video]

The new normal of overlapping crises has highlighted the interconnected nature of our societies and infrastructures—underlining the complex and far-reaching effects of climate and disaster risks and the urgent need for resilient responses to such shocks.

For example, in 2023, Tropical Cyclone Freddy wreaked havoc in Mozambique, claiming the lives of 183 individuals and affecting 1.2 million people. It also crippled the economy, destroying 132,000 homes, over 123 health facilities and 1,200 schools. In Myanmar, Cyclone Mocha affected 1.2 million people and inflicted $2.2 billion in direct damages—equivalent to 3.4% of the country’s 2021 GDP. As both the frequency and intensity of disasters are projected to escalate due to climate change—and as more unplanned human settlements encroach into high-risk areas—it is imperative to reinforce the urgent undertaking of disaster preparedness.

The World Bank knows this well. In the last fiscal year, it provided $12.8 billion to support energy, transport, and digital infrastructure in developing countries, with billions more provided …