Uttar Pradesh Partners with UNDP for Improved Disaster Resilience

• 17 Jul 2025

Why in News? 

A Memorandum of Association (MoA) was signed between the Relief Commissioner’s Office of Uttar Pradesh and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to work collaboratively on making disaster management in the state more effective and scientific. 

Key Points 

About Memorandum of Association (MoA) 

• Objective:  
  • It aims at implementing disaster risk reduction programmes, strengthening the state’s institutional capacity, and developing a multi-level disaster management system based on a technical approach. 
  • This comprehensive disaster management program will empower the state with a robust disaster risk reduction framework and enhance preparedness for potential disasters. 
  • It will introduce disaster risk reduction measures across the state, aiming to create a more inclusive, accountable, and effective disaster management system. 
• Program Highlights: 
  • Creation of disaster management plans for all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh and 15 key state departments. 
  • Detailed risk assessments and vulnerability studies for 20 major cities, along with the creation of urban disaster management plans for these cities. 
  • Preparation of detailed project reports for 10 state departments. 
• Technical Improvements: 
  • Strengthening and integrating the state’s disaster information system through workshops, ICT tool provision, and the establishment of a Project Management Unit (PMU) at the Relief Commissioner’s Office to ensure effective coordination. 
• Budget and Implementation: 
  • The Uttar Pradesh government has approved a budget of Rs 19.99 crore for the next three years to execute the program in phases. 
  • The implementation will be guided by technical proposals from UNDP, with the program aligned with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) recommendations. 

About United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 

• About:  
  • The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. 
• Formation and Headquarters:  
  • The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was officially established in 1965 by the UN General Assembly. 
  • UNDP was formed by merging the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance (1949) and the United Nations Special Fund (1958). 
  • It has its headquarters in New York City, but works primarily through its offices in about 170 countries and territories. 
• Global Presence and Approach:  
  • It works on the ground in some 170 countries and territories, supporting their own solutions to development challenges and developing national and local capacities that will help them achieve human development and the Sustainable Development Goals. 
• Focus Areas:  
  • Its work is concentrated on three main focus areas: 
    • Sustainable development 
    • Democratic governance and peacebuilding 
    • Climate and disaster resilience