WB launches disaster risk management program in Armenia

The World Bank announced on Tuesday the launch of the National Disaster Risk Management Program in Armenia as part of its efforts to assist the Government in developing disaster management capacities.

The initiative is aimed at improving disaster risk information, enhancing disaster risk reduction, strengthening disaster preparedness and  improving understanding of fiscal disaster risks and risk financing options.

The event, held in Yerevan, was attended by WB Country Director Laura Bailey, Japanese Ambassador to Armenia Eiji Taguchi, a deputy minister of urban development, Armen Ghularyan, a deputy of head of the State Rescue Service, Major General Nikolay Grigoryan, as well as representatives of the Armenian Government, the Yerevan City Hall and partner organizations.

Greeting the participants and highlighting the importance of the project, Head of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction Fund Movses Poghosyan said that Armenia is moving forward with steady paces to improve the disaster risk management efforts.

Ko Takeuchi, a Japanese member of the team specialized in disaster management, added that his country’s government and the World Bank intend to allocate US $1.75 million for the project’s implementation.

He said he expects the cooperation to yield positive outcomes.

Extending her word of gratitude to the Armenian and Japanese governments, the WB country director expressed hope that the project will really contribute to reducing disaster risks in the country.

Noting that that apart from earthquakes, Armenia also faces the threat of other major disasters, including droughts, hailstorms, landslides and floods, Ms Bailey called for active government efforts to give proper attention to the management of risks.

Ambassador Taguchi stressed common features in disaster resilience, pointing our friendly relations between the two nations.

The Japanese government will continue supporting Armenia in disaster resilience.

National Coordinator of Sendai Action Plan Nikolay Grigoryan thanked the Japanese government and the World Bank for the program.

“We all still remember Japan’s present to Armenia, 28 fire-engines. Japan sets an example in fighting natural disasters. After the tsunami in 2011, Japan showed the world that if you are prepared for reducing disaster risks, you can do wonders. It s possible due to high-level public awareness,” he said.

The Program was made possible with the financial support of the Japan-World Bank Program for Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management in Developing Countries (through the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR)) and other donors. It will also work in close cooperation with other development partners, such as UN agencies, International Financial Institutions, bilateral agencies, and civil society organizations working in Armenia.