Cost Benefit Study of Disaster Risk Mitigation Measures: in Three Islands in the Maldives

As the first study of its kind undertaken in the Maldives it supports evidence based decision making for national policy makers in the reduction of national disaster risk, while strengthening adaptive capacity in the country. The study also reviews the Safe Island Programme of 1998, and builds upon the practices and lessons of building up Disaster Risk Profiles and developing Detailed Island Risk Assessment to high risk hazards, such as tsunamis, swell waves, and rainfall flooding on three islands - Gaaf Dhaal Atoll Thinadhoo, Gaaf Alif Atoll Villigili, and Thaa Atoll Vilufushi. The report highlights the greatest threat to the Maldives to be sea-level rises, which are slow-onset and can be monitored, while indicating the constant need for additional land for expansion for the major population centres. Hence, the recommendations stress the need to explore softer options such as improved settlement planning and early-warning systems that allow us to adjust our approach based on events, while reducing the impact of natural hazards.