Every two years at the International Disaster Risk Conference and at the UNISDR Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, MunichRe recognizes outstanding risk reduction projects through its RISK Award. The RISK Award winner receives financial support from MunichRe in order to implement its project. This year, ADPC’s project, “Mainstreaming climate information application for enhancement of ecosystems functions for DRR in Nilwala river basin, Sri Lanka”, was chosen as one of the best projects among 77 applications from 44 countries.

The objective of the RISK Award is to increase people’s resilience to natural hazards, especially in developing countries. An additional focus of the award is to stimulate innovation in the field of disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management. This year’s RISK Award is dedicated to “Disaster emergency – Resilience for the most vulnerable”.

ADPC’s awarded project was created as a solution to unforeseen side effects caused by the Nilwala River Flood Protection Scheme instituted by the Sri Lankan government in 1983. Although the project was successful for urban flood protection, it created problems for farmers employing traditional methods of paddy cultivation due to the formation of acid sulphate soil left after rapid flood evacuation. ADPC is working together with farmers to find technological solutions to ensure sustainable livelihoods. The intention of the project is to dilute conflict between farmers and irrigation authorities on water management issues.

For more information on the RISK awards click here