Building a Prepared and Resilient Central Asia
Disaster Risk Management and Financing, Best practices in Central Asia, Disaster Preparedness, and Regional Cooperation. The technical session began with opening remarks from the World Bank and European Commission and a comprehensive overview of the region’s vulnerability to various natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, droughts, extreme weather, and epidemiological events. With an annual average of 3 million people affected by earthquakes and floods alone, and over $8 billion in GDP impacted, the significance of these disasters poses a substantial obstacle to poverty reduction and sustainable development. Climate change exacerbates these challenges, leading to more frequent and severe natural hazards, thus increasing the economic burden on Central Asian countries. In response, the session underscored the necessity of stepping up disaster risk management efforts by enhancing preparedness and risk reduction strategies, providing social safety nets through public and private insurance mechanisms, and fostering regional cooperation. The session disseminated valuable insights and best practices from the European Union – funded “Strengthening Financial Resilience & Accelerating Risk Reduction in Central Asia” Program (SFRARR), showcasing successful strategies for disaster preparedness and risk reduction over the past 5 years, and it was structured to facilitate knowledge sharing and promote innovative approaches to disaster risk management (DRM). Ms. Elvira Torebekova highlighted the institutionalization of regional cooperation in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and DRM through the Almaty-based Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction (CESDRR). She emphasized successful initiatives that have bolstered regional collaboration and resilience. Mr. Stuart Fraser presented the results of the Central Asia regional multi-hazard risk assessment of the SFRARR Program, explaining the methodologies used in disaster risk vulnerability and exposure modeling and their practical applications in policy-making and urban planning. His insights into the potential uses of risk assessment data underscored the importance of data-driven approaches in enhancing disaster preparedness. Financial resilience to disasters was another key focus, with Mr. Marat Pirnazarov discussing strategies and mechanisms such as public and private insurance schemes. He shared the Kyrgyz Republic’s approaches to disaster risk financing, providing a model that other Central Asian countries could adapt. Mr. Jamshed Kamolzoda detailed specific measures implemented in Tajikistan to enhance disaster preparedness and risk reduction, including the integration of community-based approaches and successful preparedness initiatives. His presentation was focused on the importance of localized strategies in reducing disaster risks. The session concluded with a Q&A session moderated by Mr. Stephan Zimmermann, facilitating an interactive dialogue on regional collaborative practical solutions and innovative approaches to building resilience in Central Asia. The discussion highlighted the critical need for regional collaboration, the integration of new technologies, and the development of financial mechanisms to mitigate the economic impacts of disasters. Participants left with a strong commitment to implement the insights and recommendations discussed, fostering ongoing dialogue and collaboration to build a more prepared and resilient region.
The session on building a prepared and resilient Central Asia successfully enhanced awareness of the region’s disaster risks and climate challenges, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these issues due to their significant social and economic impacts. Participants gained a deeper understanding of the natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, droughts, and extreme weather events, and how climate change exacerbates these threats. The session disseminated valuable insights and best practices from the SFRARR program, showcasing successful strategies for disaster preparedness and risk reduction over the past 4.5 years. Innovative technologies and methodologies in disaster risk management, such as advanced disaster risk modeling and data analytics, were highlighted, encouraging the adoption of new tools and techniques to improve preparedness and response efforts. The importance of regional cooperation in addressing transboundary disaster risks was underscored, with discussions on existing frameworks and successful initiatives, such as those facilitated by the CESDRR. The session also focused on advancing financial resilience through public and private insurance schemes and disaster risk financing, with case studies from the Kyrgyz Republic illustrating practical approaches. Specific measures for enhancing disaster preparedness, including community-based approaches and early warning systems, were shared, demonstrating the effectiveness of local engagement and tailored strategies. The interactive panel discussion and Q&A fostered an engaging dialogue, allowing participants to explore practical solutions and innovative approaches to disaster risk management. Key takeaways included the need for an integrated approach combining technological, financial, and community-based strategies, and a strong commitment to action emerged, with participants determined to implement the insights and recommendations discussed. The session concluded with urging participants to leverage the knowledge gained and work collaboratively to build a more prepared and resilient Central Asia, emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders for sustainable progress in disaster risk management. Organized by: GFDRR/World Bank
