Indigenous People are identified as peoples who under international or national legislation have a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory, and are usually culturally or historically distinct from the larger population. These groups are particularly vulnerable to the effects of post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, infrastructure projects and climate change, and have a vested interest in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction programmes, infrastructure and climate change projects.

It is a principle of the Global Bank Disaster Risk Reduction and Reconstruction Fund – An Umbrella Trust Fund (the “Trust Fund,” “GB-DRRRF,” or “DRRRF”) to engage with vulnerable, disadvantaged and remotely located communities, including Indigenous Peoples. The GBDRRRF recognises the deep connection between indigenous peoples and the natural environment in the context of post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, infrastructure projects and climate change, as well as the sanctity of indigenous cultural practices. They also have a practical knowledge of the environmental sensitivities of the areas where they live, built over centuries of subsistence on the land and observation of climate patterns. Through the Global Bank Disaster Risk Reduction and Reconstruction Fund – An Umbrella Trust Fund, particularly in their role as Observers on the DRRRF Board of Directors and Subcommittees, Indigenous Peoples have access to a powerful forum for the issues that concern them and new resources to assist them in their efforts to adapt to the challenges they face.

Indigenous People are represented by ten observers in total on the DRRRF Board of Directors and three sub-committees. These observers have a critical role to play in assisting the Global Bank Disaster Risk Reduction and Reconstruction Fund – An Umbrella Trust Fund engage with indigenous groups at the country level, through their own networks and with the assistance of Global Bank Group and civil society organisations (CSOs).