The United Nations (UN) launched a new global Disaster Risk Financing (DRF) Platform at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, on November 12, 2026. The initiative aims to secure access to more than US$3 billion in disaster risk financing to protect 75 million people and their livelihoods from climate shocks and natural hazards by 2030.
The platform brings together six UN agencies to improve access to predictable funding before climate-related emergencies and natural disasters escalate. It seeks to strengthen early humanitarian action through coordinated financing, shared data, technical expertise and partnerships with the private sector.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
UN launched the Disaster Risk Financing Platform at COP31 on November 12, 2026.
The initiative targets access to more than US$3 billion in financing by 2030.
It aims to protect 75 million people and their livelihoods.
Six UN agencies are participating in the platform.
Pre-arranged financing represents less than 2% of global humanitarian financing.
WFP reported nearly US$211 million in pre-arranged financing secured in 2026.
The initiative will enable participating agencies to pool their expertise, share information and develop joint financing solutions. It also aims to expand the use of pre-arranged financing, allowing governments and humanitarian organisations to act when early warnings indicate potential disasters.
According to the UN, pre-arranged financing currently accounts for less than two per cent of global humanitarian financing. This limits the availability of funds for organisations seeking to respond before emergencies develop into major humanitarian crises.
Ahead of the platform's public launch, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and UNICEF had already secured insurance policies to provide financial protection for their anticipatory action programmes. The arrangements received technical support from specialist insurance teams at the World Food Programme (WFP).
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
Climate-related disasters can damage homes, disrupt livelihoods, threaten food security and increase humanitarian needs. When funding becomes available only after disasters strike, assistance may arrive too late to prevent further losses. The new platform seeks to strengthen financing before emergencies escalate, helping humanitarian organisations prepare earlier and provide timely assistance to vulnerable communities.
WFP Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Innovation Rania Dagash said the organisation had helped secure nearly US$211 million in pre-arranged financing in 2026 to protect up to 9.6 million people across more than 50 countries.
The platform includes six UN agencies: the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), OCHA, UNICEF, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and WFP.
Through cooperation with insurance providers and financial markets, the initiative aims to make disaster financing more accessible, predictable and cost-effective. The broader objective is to strengthen preparedness, protect vulnerable communities and reduce the humanitarian impact of climate-related disasters.
