As mainland Southeast Asia braces for a potential return of El Niño in 2026–27, SEADRIF and the FAO have rolled out an index-triggered drought insurance pilot in Laos.
The Council proposes a 10-year A$30.15bn (US$21.50bn) Flood Defence Fund targeting 24 east-coast catchments covering 1.2 million at-risk properties, among other priorities.
US$730m has been pledged so far—only a quarter of Vietnam's Typhoon Yagi damage—and early projects could determine whether the fund attracts additional financing.
Budget includes several disaster aid and resilience measures, including NZ$28m (US$17.2m) for temporary housing for households impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Flood.
Australia commits to enhancing disaster preparedness and propelling nation to be a "renewal energy superhouse," but ICA cautions further investment in resilience and mitigation is crucial.
