The Bhutan National Plan for Infrastructure Resilience, developed by the Royal Government of Bhutan with CDRI and UNDRR, outlines a strategic roadmap to strengthen critical infrastructure against natural and human-made hazards. Using the Global Methodology for Infrastructure Resilience Review, the plan assesses six key sectors—transport, energy, water, ICT, health, and education—through stress testing, policy reviews, and stakeholder consultations. Key vulnerabilities include landslides, earthquakes, floods, and cyber threats.
The plan emphasizes cross-sector coordination, data sharing, and capacity building. It recommends updating infrastructure codes, enhancing governance, and integrating multi-hazard risk assessments. Sector-specific actions include improving road design, ensuring energy safety compliance, enhancing water management, establishing cyber resilience, and strengthening emergency health and education systems. The plan aligns with Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan and aims to guide sustainable, resilient infrastructure development across the country.
Key points
- Bhutan assessed infrastructure resilience using the global methodology and stakeholder collaboration.
- Stress testing revealed vulnerabilities to landslides, earthquakes, floods, and droughts.
- Cross-sector coordination and data sharing are critical for resilience planning.
- Water, energy, transport, ICT, health, and education sectors face cascading risks.
- Recommendations include updating codes, enhancing governance, and building technical capacity.
- Plan aligns with Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan priorities.