Stories of Impact A series highlighting achievements in disaster risk management Building the Foundation for Resilience in Serbia stefanogiantin REGION: EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA Following extremely heavy rainfall in May 2014, Serbia FOCUS: RESILIENT RECOVERY experienced its most severe flooding in more than a COUNTRY: SERBIA century. In the aftermath, the government conducted a recovery needs assessment (RNA) with support from the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the RESULTS: European Union (EU). The RNA revealed that the • GFDRR and the World Bank supported floods affected 22% of the population, and estimated the establishment of the National Disaster recovery and reconstruction needs at nearly $1.5 Risk Management Program (NDRMP), an billion. umbrella framework for attracting funds and coordinating efforts; Informed by the assessment and supported by the World Bank, EU, UN, and the Swiss Agency for • Since the 2014 floods, more than $70 million has been raised through NDRMP to build Development and Cooperation (SDC), the government capacity for the disaster risk and crisis launched a National Disaster Risk Management management system, representing a major shift on the part of the Serbian government Program (NDRMP) to build resilience, reduce disaster from a reactive to a proactive approach; risks, and mobilize recovery funding for priority sectors. • GFDRR has leveraged $10 million supporting NDRMP priorities and resilience efforts in Serbia. This includes development of a national DRM Plan and DRM legislation. Further efforts are planned in strengthening disaster information, preparedness, early warning, and disaster risk financing. CONTEXT: The 2014 floods illustrated the country’s vulnerability to the risks of flooding, forcing 32,000 families out of their homes, claiming 57 lives, and contributing to the onset of a recession. Among the hardest hit sectors were energy and agriculture, while flood protection infrastructure suffered as well, leading to increased concerns over power and food shortages and leaving the country even more exposed to subsequent flooding. APPROACH: GFDRR, the World Bank, and other partners supported Serbia’s efforts to move from a focus on response towards prevention and preparedness. Technical assistance was channeled to priority areas, including: • Developing new legal and operational frameworks for DRM, and supporting Serbia’s intention to become the first country in the world with legislation fully aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030; “With the National Disaster Risk Management • Prioritizing risk identification, preparedness, and early program Serbia is moving from a response warning, including strengthening flood forecasting and focused approach to disasters to a more hydro-meteorological monitoring by purchasing equipment, proactive risk reduction way of securing the telecoms hardware and software, and producing a high- country’s sustainable development.” resolution digital terrain model for flood risk mapping; – Mr. Marko Blagojević, Director of the • Enhancing the government’s fiscal resilience, including Public Investment Management Office advising on building a comprehensive financial protection strategy, and a tentative agreement on the provision of a Development Policy Loan with a Catastrophic Deferred Drawdown Option (Cat-DDO) that will provide up to $100 LESSONS LEARNED: million in rapid liquidity in the event of a disaster. Getting the government involved in tailoring the project approach to their specific needs can help NEXT STEPS: to ensure effectiveness. GFDRR and the World Bank have supported and helped shape the GFDRR support has helped strengthen Serbia’s DRM government-led DRM program, which has become capacity, but more remains to be done. Moving forward, the a blueprint for further activities, including flood programmatic approach will: risk assessment for flood-prone areas, the design • Enhance a framework for implementing the National Action of an End-to-End Early Warning System, and Plan for DRM; further investments to target other hazards. • Improve risk identification with development of a flood Transparency is central to successful risk assessment methodology and acquisition of LiDAR implementation. It was evident that NDRMP’s surveying technology; results will depend on effective channeling of • Build capacity for early warning and preparedness with the funds raised from donors to the sectors most in acquisition of monitoring equipment and by analyzing and need. Transparency fosters a more efficient use of communicating risk information and early warning gaps; resources, enhances credibility, and strengthens public confidence. The Office of Reconstruction • Strengthen financial resilience by establishing a fiscal risk and Flood Relief (now under the Public Investment unit and putting in place a Cat-DDO. Management Office) of Serbia has paid special attention to sharing all the necessary information Contact to stakeholders on investments and activities Elif Ayhan eayhan@worldbank.org through their website. www.gfdrr.org *ALL MONETARY VALUES IN USD