The Province has introduced a new funding program to support First Nation and local government disaster risk reduction and climate-adaptation projects. The Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program will provide a total of $40 million over two years to address climate-driven hazards.
The DRIF program will specifically support community resilience and disaster risk reduction for hazards that include but are not limited to drought, extreme temperature, floods, geohazards, sea level rise, storms, tsunamis and seismic safety. Wildfire risk reduction is not included, as it is funded through the Community Resiliency Investment Program.
First Nations and local governments have until September 15, 2024, to submit their expressions of interest for the first $15 million in funding, which begins in the 2024/25 fiscal year. Another $25 million is expected to be distributed in the following year. The DRIF program funding is intended for new projects or new phases of projects only.
This announcement comes almost three months after the introduction of the BC Flood Strategy, which continues to re-enforce the Province’s position that key flood management duties be assigned to local governments, as part of a locally-led approach.
The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, which is administered by UBCM, will continue in 2024/25 with intakes for:
- Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Adaptation
- Emergency Operations Centres Equipment and Training
- Emergency Support Services Equipment and Training
- Indigenous Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility Training
- Public Notification and Evacuation Route Planning
- Volunteer and Composite Fire Departments Equipment and Training.
The 2024/25 CEPF materials will be available by the end of June 2024.
For more information, please contact the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.