By implementing these disaster risk reduction measures, Mauritius aims to enhance national resilience, protect lives and livelihoods, and ensure sustainable development in the face of climate change. The NDC Action Plan serves as a roadmap for building a disaster-resilient nation, aligning with global commitments such as the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Mauritius, as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), is highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, including tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, flooding, sea-level rise, and coastal erosion. These hazards threaten human lives, critical infrastructure, economic activities, and ecosystems, making Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) a fundamental pillar of the country's climate adaptation strategy. The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Action Plan outlines a series of policies and measures to enhance disaster preparedness, response, and resilience at the national and community levels.
Key Strategies for Disaster Risk Reduction
Enhancing the Knowledge Base on Climate Risks
- Strengthening climate risk assessments for coastal ecosystems, infrastructure, and communities.
- Expanding research on disaster-prone areas to guide national planning and policy decisions.
Mainstreaming Climate Change into Policies and Strategies
- Integrating disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation into urban planning, infrastructure development, and economic policies.
- Updating sectoral policies to align with the National Adaptation Framework and international best practices.
Strengthening Disaster Preparedness and Response Mechanisms
- Upgrading early warning systems (EWS) to provide timely alerts and risk assessments.
- Enhancing the National Emergency Operations Command (NEOC) to improve coordination during disasters.
- Conducting disaster preparedness drills at community and institutional levels to improve response capacity.
Improving Governance and Institutional Coordination
- Enhancing the role of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre (NDRRMC) in implementing climate-resilient disaster risk management.
- Strengthening inter-agency collaboration for coordinated disaster response efforts.
- Implementing the Integrated Land Drainage Master Plan to reduce flood risks in vulnerable areas.
Reducing Vulnerability and Increasing Community Resilience
- Implementing coastal protection projects such as mangrove restoration, wetland conservation, and dune stabilization.
- Encouraging nature-based solutions for flood management, such as restoring river catchments and buffer zones.
- Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure to minimize damage from extreme weather events.
Public Awareness and Capacity Building
- Educating communities on climate-related disaster risks and the importance of preparedness and adaptive actions.
- Training local authorities, emergency responders, and stakeholders on disaster risk reduction strategies.
- Promoting public-private partnerships to invest in risk mitigation projects.
Investments and Implementation
The NDC Action Plan highlights the need for significant investments to strengthen Mauritius’ disaster risk reduction capacity. Funding will be sourced from government allocations, international climate finance, and donor-supported projects. The strategy also emphasizes the need for long-term planning and collaboration among various national and international stakeholders.
