Locations
Disaster risk reduction for sustainable development in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Phase II
Joint DRR programme - Phase II
According to the World Risk Report from 2017, Bosnia and Herzegovina is ranked among the countries with high exposure to natural hazards. Out of 145 local government units (LGUs) in the country, 91 are considered to have a very significant risk of floods and landslides, while 27 LGUs have a high risk. The past 10 years have been very to extremely dry, while simultaneously, large floods have become frequent and occur every year.
The joint programme "Disaster Risk Reduction for Sustainable Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina" supports disaster risk management in BiH and corresponds with the priority actions of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, which are in line with the challenges and needs for disaster risk reduction in the country.
The programme provides support for preparing and adapting to disaster risks and their negative impacts across all development sectors, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable and high-risk local communities in the country.
Objective
To support the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in improving capacities, frameworks, public services, and partnerships for disaster risk reduction in order to mitigate the impacts of disasters and climate change on the population in risk-prone areas.
DRR Programme
"Disaster risk reduction for sustainable development in Bosnia and Herzegovina" is a Joint programme supported and financed by the Government of Switzerland, the United Nations (UN), and the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Phase II of the Program is implemented by UN agencies in BiH: the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UNFAO), in partnership with domestic government institutions.
The programme assists the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in preparing for and adapting to disaster risks in development sectors and ensures that the population in risk-prone areas is less vulnerable to the social and economic consequences of disasters and climate change, with particular attention to vulnerable groups.
Phase II of the programme aims to deepen sustainable disaster risk reduction (DRR) management by replicating successful models at the local level and establishing DRR governance structures at the state, entity, and Brčko District levels to ensure coordination and cooperation across all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Project Components
Although the programme covers the entire country, the focus in the second phase is placed on a group of 10 local communities that are at high risk of disaster and are willing to actively participate in and support the implementation of the second phase of the Joint DRR Program: Bihać, Banja Luka, Kakanj, Bijeljina, Kalesija, Trebinje, Mostar, Laktaši, Tuzla, and Brod.
Through the Phase II, activities continue to be carried out in the priority sectors: education, culture, social and child protection, agriculture, and protection and rescue. The program will additionally include, if necessary, the sectors of finance, urban planning, health, water management, forestry and environmental protection.
Special emphasis is placed on improving coordination mechanisms in the field of disaster risk reduction and promoting the strategic planning process for risk management, with a focus on the most vulnerable population categories.
Importance of the programme and previous results
The Joint Programme - Phase II aims to expand on the positive experiences and models in local DRR areas that were achieved during Phase I implementation (2019-2023). Phase I of the Joint Programme introduced and operationalized an integrated model for disaster risk management and improving living conditions at the local level by enhancing local DRR coordination mechanisms and affirming risk-informed strategic planning processes with a focus on the most vulnerable population groups. Phase I supported the establishment of DRR platforms at the local level and addressed DRR priorities identified by 10 local authorities and stakeholders in target sectors.
