Bhutan National Plan for Infrastructure Resilience
This document, titled "Bhutan National Plan for Infrastructure Resilience," is a collaborative roadmap developed by the Royal Government of Bhutan, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), with support from the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT), published in 2024. It provides a strategic framework to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure against multi-hazards, including landslides, earthquakes, floods, droughts, and windstorms, aligning with Bhutan's 13th Five-Year Plan.
Using the Global Methodology for Infrastructure Resilience Review (GMIRR), the plan assesses vulnerabilities across six key sectors: transport (road and aviation), energy (hydropower), water, information and communication technology (ICT), education, and health. It incorporates institutional mapping, policy reviews, stress testing for cascading risks, and the Principles for Resilient Infrastructure to identify gaps in governance, data sharing, and capacity.
Cross-sectoral recommendations emphasize updating codes, enhancing coordination via multi-sector task forces, building technical capacities in GIS and risk assessment, and creating a national database for infrastructure performance. Sector-specific actions include upgrading road designs, improving hydropower drought resilience, and integrating early warning systems. Prioritized measures focus on policy reforms, training, and adaptive strategies to minimize disruptions, foster sustainable development, and ensure equitable access, ultimately supporting Bhutan's economic and social goals.