UN Launches Disaster Risk Financing Platform at COP31

The United Nations launched the UN Disaster Risk Financing (DRF) Platform during the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye. The initiative aims to secure over US$3 billion in risk financing by 2030 to protect 75 million people from climate shocks and natural hazards.

The platform coordinates six agencies—FAO, IOM, OCHA, UNICEF, UNHCR, and WFP—to make disaster response funding more predictable. By combining predictive analysis with private sector support and insurance markets, the platform seeks to convert early warnings into anticipatory actions. This addresses a critical gap in global humanitarian aid, as pre-arranged financing currently accounts for less than two percent of total funding.

Early implementation includes insurance policies established by OCHA and UNICEF with support from the World Food Programme. The WFP, the largest user of pre-arranged financing, has already secured nearly $211 million this year to protect 9.6 million people across 50 countries. The platform integrates the specialized expertise of its member agencies to protect vulnerable populations, including refugees and children, before crises escalate.