2
Climate Resilience and Water
Water is at the center of the climate crisis—
inextricably linked to all areas of sustainable
development, which are under threat from the
growing impacts of climate change and natural
hazards on local populations, the environment,
and economies.
Asia and the Pacifi c is the most disaster-a ected
region in the world and is home to more than
40% of the globe’s calamities and 84% of the
people they a ect. Climate-related disasters
and water stresses are also having severe impacts
on food production and supply chains across
Asia and the Pacifi c. More than 300 million
people in Asia alone remain food insecure.
Farming families in South Asia, Southeast Asia,
and sub-Saharan Africa are disproportionately
poor and vulnerable and, as such, most at risk
from crop failures and hunger resulting from
climate change. The 2022 devastating fl oods
in Pakistan—a ecting 33 million people and
resulting in severe agricultural damages and
losses—highlight the interrelated nature
and impacts of climate change, water, and
food security.
With irrigation systems expanding and water
scarcity rising, there is an increasing gap between
supply and demand. Water accounting—or data
on how much water is available, how much water
is being utilized, and resulting shortfalls—is critical
in addressing water insecurity in the region.
Building resilience by addressing and mitigating
risks from climate change, water-related disasters,
food insecurity, and related economic shocks is
central to ADB’s water program. ADB encourages
the adoption of innovative, e cient, and
sustainable water solutions—to improve water
and food security and create climate and disaster-
resilient water management systems.
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Farming
Community
WFPF has enabled an opportunity to remove binding
constraints, prepare alternative mechanisms in water
service delivery, improve local capacities decision
support system and take small but focused steps
toward transformational engagement, evaluate
alternative options for water service delivery.
– Asad Ali Zafar
Senior Project O cer (Water Resources),
Central and West Asia Department, ADB
VIP
