Reducing the risk of climate-driven disasters in Georgia

Summary

UNDP and the Government of Georgia, with funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Swiss and Swedish governments are implementing a 7-year programme dedicated to reducing the risk of climate-driven disasters in Georgia.

With an overall budget of US$74 million, the initiative comprises three interrelated projects:

Scaling-up Multi-Hazard Early Warning System and the Use of Climate Information in Georgia with US$27 million in funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF);
Strengthening the Climate Adaptation Capacities in Georgia with US$5 million funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); and
Improved Resilience of Communities to Climate Risks with US$4 million in funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

The programme is co-financed by the Government of Georgia with US$38 million.

The initiative aims to reduce the exposure of Georgia’s communities, livelihoods, and infrastructure to climate-induced natural hazards through a well-functioning nationwide multi-hazard early warning system and risk-informed local action.

what we do

In close cooperation with our partners - the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, National Environmental Agency, National Food Agency, Environmental Information and Education Centre, Emergency Management Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure we work to:

Upgrade and expand the hydrometeorological and agrometeorological monitoring network, and support establishment of centralized multi-hazard risk information and knowledge system, consisting of national e-Library, databases, information systems and knowledge portal. Local-level detailed hazard mapping and risk and vulnerability assessment will be developed.
Address gaps in national coordination and institutional setup for effective early warning system (EWS) resulting in a functioning coordination mechanism and communication protocols for early warning. Capacities of decision-makers and national institutions involved in generating, processing, communicating, and using the warnings and other climate information will be enhanced. National and local integrated early warning systems by hazard and sectors will be developed and implemented.
Secure delivery and use of the early warnings and climate advisories with end-users. Communities’ capacity to effectively utilize the EWS information and products and respond to climate-related disasters through planning and implementing structural and non-structural resilience measures will be enhanced. In addition, the project will implement priority structural intervention measures in high-risk areas addressing the most vulnerable communities (based on sound cost-benefit analysis using the socio-economic risk model) to reduce the risks that the EWS will be designed to address.

Results so far

In 2021, Georgia became a member of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) to improve forecasting capabilities.
79 new hydrometeorological stations and posts were installed and added to the already existing hydrometeorological monitoring network in Georgia, which will significantly increase the accuracy of hydrometeorological monitoring. 77 additional stations will be installed in the future.
To support climate-resilient agriculture, 15 agrometeorological stations were purchased.
Geological monitoring stations have been installed in 11 locations.
For high-quality data processing and storage, a high-performance computer (HPC) was purchased for the National Environment Agency. The central information system is being updated, which ensures the automatic delivery of information from monitoring stations.
A unified methodology was created for the assessment and modelling of natural hazards (floods, landslides, mudflows, snow avalanches, strong winds, hails, and droughts). The National Environment Agency prepared the maps of these hazards for the 7 main river basins of Western Georgia (Kintrishi, Natanebi, Supsa, Enguri, Rioni, Khobistskali, Chorokhi-Ajaristskali). The risk assessment on these rivers is being carried out using the relevant methodology, which is based on the best international practices and adapted to the Georgian context.
The development of a disaster risk information system is underway, aiming to provide critical information about existing threats and risks to various government agencies and the population. At this stage, the system is in testing mode. Its implementation will be carried out together with the Emergency Management Service.
A flood forecasting platform is under development and is currently being tested.
Emergency management plans were developed for 6 municipalities (Telavi, Akhmeta, Lagodekhi, Gori, Sighnaghi, Kobuleti). The additional plans for Tbilisi, Abashi, Senaki, Samtredia, and Khobi municipalities will be developed.
Based on hazard maps and international experience and best practices, a legal guide to zoning is being prepared. Considering all the standards mentioned in the document will be mandatory when planning and implementing infrastructure projects.
Based on hazard maps and the socio-economic vulnerability assessment, the most vulnerable communities to the hazards are being identified and relevant measures are being developed and implemented. The programme will identify the 100 most vulnerable communities. At this stage, 15 vulnerable communities have already been identified in the Supsa, Natanebi, and Kintrishi river basins, where developing risk management plans and implementing priority measures are planned, including purchase and installation of sirens, implementation of non-structural bio-engineering measures, such as afforestation and riverbed cleaning. The identification of vulnerable communities and implementation of relevant measures will continue in the future.
In partnership with the Roads Department of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, flood-protective infrastructure is being built in 15 locations throughout the country. Works have been already finalized at 7 locations.
The assessment and development of institutional capacities of various state institutions are underway. Training in forecasting, hazard assessment, modelling, and other related topics is carried out for employees of relevant departments of various agencies and municipalities.
In partnership with the Environmental Information and Education Centre of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, information campaigns and educational activities are taking place in 11 municipalities across Georgia. More than 4,000 people have been trained so far, and more than 110 youngsters have participated in the Green Camp “Young Climate Ambassadors”.
32 students from eight Georgian universities received “Green Scholarships” to continue their graduate studies in ecology, hydrology, geology, energy, mineral resources management, sustainable development and environmental policy.
UNDP supports a range of activities aimed at awareness-raising and knowledge-building: local Community Forums, Green Scholarships for graduate students promoting environmental professions, and annual contests for the media, community-based organizations, and public schools.