Solomon Islands is at high risk to natural hazards. Located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and within the cyclone belt, it is one of the 20 countries in the world most vulnerable to economic risk exposure caused by geological, hydrological and climatic hazards.
... See More + This includes tropical cyclones, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, floods and droughts. There have been seven major disasters triggered by natural hazards in the past 30 years, causing loss of life and having a severe and adverse impact on the economy each time. Modelling predicts natural hazards and climate change will lead to an average direct loss of US$20.5 million - or 3 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) - annually for the next 50 years. In April 2014, 23 people, predominantly women and children, lost their lives after a low depression caused flooding that swept through Honiara and the Guadalcanal Plains. Total damage and losses from the floods is estimated at US$108 million or 9.2 percent of GDP.
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The development objective of the Urban Resilience Project for Bangladesh is to strengthen the capacity of Government of Bangladesh (GoB) agencies to efficiently and effectively respond to emergency events in Dhaka and Sylhet; and to improve the safety of new building construction in Dhaka.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: (1) selecting land cautiously for acquisition; (2) checking if land available with the concerned agencies or other Government of Bangladesh (GOB) agencies can be utilized for the construction; and (3) carrying out field appraisal and consultation with likely affected and groups facilitated by competent partner non-government organization (NGO).
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The objective of the Multipurpose Disaster Shelter Project (MDSP) for Bangladesh is to reduce the vulnerability of the coastal population in selected coastal districts of Bangladesh to natural disasters.
... See More + The project has three components. (1) Reconstruction and improvement of multipurpose shelters component will finance the construction of around 552 new shelters, the rehabilitation of around 450 existing shelters, the construction and improvement of around 550 kilometers of rural roads to improve access and communication networks to shelters, the implementation of environmental and social management plans, and design and construction supervision. (2) Project management, monitoring and technical assistance and training component will support the government in implementing the project, and in coordinating all project related activities, monitoring, technical assistance and training. (3) Emergency contingent response component. In case of a major natural disaster, the government may request the Bank to re-allocate project funds to this component (which presently carries a zero allocation) to support response and reconstruction.
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This issue focuses on communities in Colombia at high-risk to natural disasters. Policymakers continue long-term efforts to understand the scope of the problem and target measures to reduce the vulnerability of people living at risk to flooding and landslides.
... See More + Two significant observations surfaced from an initial research of various Colombian municipalities, and examining different methodologies and employed to quantify the number of households living in high-risk areas: 1) there was no consistent or systematic methodology to collect information needed to assess risk at the community level, nor to generate local hazards assessments for floods and landslides; and 2) there was no centralized data-sharing platform existed for national ministries and agencies to easily and cost-effectively access household information obtained at the municipal level. After deliberation and analysis by stakeholders and partners, a new standardized methodology was developed. The following elements emerged that supported the roll-out of the National Inventory of High-Risk Settlements to streamline decision-making processes: 1) a set of criteria was defined for all municipalities to extract inventory data from previous technical studies and emergency reports; 2) the methodology to build the national inventory was developed in consideration of limited technical capacity in many municipalities; 3) a centralized information platform for the national settlement inventory was established based on the methodology to permit municipal agencies to collect and share data more easily; and 4) the Ministry of Housing, City, and Territory issued a Ministerial Resolution that legally requires municipalities to adhere to the methodology to develop the National Inventory of High-Risk Settlements. While being no small task, building the National Inventory of High-Risk Settlements will have a significant impact on Colombias ability to address urbanization trends by reducing risk.
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The Floods Emergency Recovery Project of Serbia has an objective to: (i) help restore power system capability to reliably meet domestic demand; (ii) protect livelihoods of farmers in flood affected areas; (iii) protect people and assets from floods; and (iv) improve the Borrowers capacity to respond effectively to disasters.
... See More + The project consists of four components: (1) Energy Sector Support; (2) Agricultural Sector Support; (3) Flood Protection; and (4) Contingent Emergency Response. The objective of component one is to help restore power system capability to reliably meet domestic demand through power purchases, improved reliability of the distribution system and energy conservation measures, and help the restoration of strategic energy assets. Component 2 will support the ongoing Farm Incentives Program in order to protect the livelihood of farmers affected by the floods and offset their income losses. The objective of component three is to support urgent rehabilitation of flood protection and drainage control infrastructure, and strengthen the technical capacity of government agencies for improved flood prevention and management. Component four is to improve Serbias capacity to better respond to disasters. Following an adverse natural or man-made event that causes a major disaster; the Government of Serbia may request the Bank to re-allocate project funds to this component to partially cover emergency response and recovery costs. This component could also be used to channel additional funds should they become available as a result of the emergency.
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The Disaster Risk Management Development Policy Loan with a Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option of Seychelles has an objective of the proposed operation is to strengthen the Government of Seychelles Disaster Risk Management policy and reform agenda and enhance its capacity to efficiently respond to disasters.
... See More + The two pillars of the proposed operation are: (i) strengthening the institutional/legal framework for disaster risk management, and (ii) integrating disaster risk reduction into development planning and decision making.
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This issue focuses on ways to tackle persistent flooding and economic vulnerabilities in the agricultural sector for Guyana. In January 2005 extreme and prolonged rainfall caused widespread flooding in Guyana with flood levels elevated well above safe operating levels, putting the East Demerara Water Conservancy reservoir and dam at risk of overtopping and catastrophic breaching.
... See More + In an effort to tackle persistent flooding and economic vulnerabilities in the agricultural sector, the Government of Guyanas Ministry of Agriculture, along with the World Bank and other international development agencies, initiated the US$3.8 million Conservancy Adaptation Project (CAP). A top priority identified under the CAP initiative is the strengthening of the Conservancy and coastal drainage systems to protect the country's key economic and most populated regions. The CAP focused on four main areas: 1) pre-investment studies and data collection for engineering design of works; 2) critical drainage infrastructure investments; 3) institutional strengthening and capacity building; and 4) building national awareness of flood risk. CAP has been a flagship project and a launching pad for significant progress in flood risk mitigation measures for Guyana and also the Caribbean region. Key outcomes of the project include a hydraulic engineering foundation for the dam; increased safety of the Conservancy and reduced vulnerability to catastrophic flooding through physical investments; enhanced government knowledge and capacity to manage the Conservancy and coastal drainage systems; comprehensive scenario analyses and dam stability to improve decision-making of Conservancy investments; and a US$123 million package of pre-designed infrastructure and nonstructural investments critical for flood risk management. These investments will generate increased capacity to manage water levels in the Conservancy and lessen the high vulnerability of the people and agricultural areas in the region to moderate and extreme climate events.
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The development objectives of the Improving Disaster Risk Management Project for Mongolia are to improve the disaster preparedness of Ulaanbaatar (UB) and to reduce the impact of dzud on rural livelihoods.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: (1) mapping flood risks by micro zone in order to determine the exact nature and level of risk in different parts of the city; (2) designing and developing database on hazards and vulnerabilities to enable UB to quantify the total risks it faces and subsequently preparing a cost-benefit analysis for prevention and mitigation of risks; (3) designing UB city flood risk management plan and capacity building to enable the city to respond effectively and reduce the loss of lives and assets; (4) reviewing the quality of the work carried out, such as the training and flood risk management plan developed under the project with a view of providing tangible recommendations for the city and project management unit to follow and improve project outcomes; (5) supporting institutionalization of the livestock early warning system (LEWS) within the national agency for meteorology, hydrology, and environmental monitoring (NAMHEM); and (6) designing and piloting a new feed and fodder supply system to allow vegetation to grow to full maturity and be harvested, packed, and stored for the winter, ensuring readily available emergency feed supply for the beneficiary herder households.
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The objectives of Improving Disaster Risk Management Project for Mongolia are to identify and explain potential key environmental and social safeguards issues associated with the project and approaches to address the issues.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: the project is a technical assistance and does not have direct impact on environmental or social safeguard issues. However, the UB city flood risk management plan, designed under sub-component A.1.3, may in future result into investments that have implications on the environment. Therefore, the Environmental Assessment Policy (OP4.01) and the Involuntary Resettlement Policy (OP 4.12) are triggered. The relevant environmental and social safeguards policies objectives and elements will be part of the planning process, terms of reference for the plan and the capacity building grant activities to the relevant line ministries and Ulaanbaatar city. This includes among others, aspects related to the identification and mitigation of potential environmental impacts and inclusion of the vulnerable and marginalized groups of people in project activities.
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On March 11, 2011, an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 occurred in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Japanapos;s Tohoku region. The Great East Japan Earthquake was the first disaster ever recorded that included an earthquake, a tsunami, a nuclear power plant accident, a power supply failure, and a large-scale disruption of supply chains.
... See More + This report consolidates the set of 36 Knowledge Notes, research results of the joint study undertaken by the Government of Japan and the World Bank. It summarizes the lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and provides guidance to other disaster-prone countries for mainstreaming disaster risk management in their development policies. It is clear that financial resources alone are not sufficient to deal with disasters and to spur development. Technical assistance and capacity building are equally important. In Japanapos;s case, the project learned how communities can play a critical role in preparing for and coping with natural disasters. Communities can help prevent damage from spreading, maintain social order, and provide support to the vulnerable. Only through technical cooperation can such know-how be passed on to other countries and be adapted to their local circumstances. The chapters that make up the main body of this report are built around the disciplines employed in the traditional disaster risk management cycle. Grouped into seven thematic clusters that track that cycle, the chapters treat structural measures (part 1) and nonstructural measures (part 2) as preventive options. Also covered is the emergency responses put in place after March 11 (part 3) and described the planning behind the reconstruction process (part 4). The handling of risk assessment and communication before and after the disaster are the subject of part 5. Part 6 deals with risk financing, insurance, and fiscal and financial management; part 7 with the progress of recovery and relocation.
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Ratings for the First Phase of Adaptable Program Loan for National Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project for Colombia were as follows: outcomes were satisfactory, risk to development outcome was moderate, Bank performance was moderately satisfactory, and Borrower performance was moderately satisfactory.
... See More + Some lessons learned included: there is existing demand at the municipal level for in-depth and continuous technical support for risk mitigation actions. Instituto de hidrologia, meteorologia, y estudios ambientales, institute of hydrology, meteorology, and environment studies (IDEAMapos;s) work has the potential to contribute to the development of climate risk parametric insurance tools. Such tools can be supported in a follow-up operation, and furthermore, use the successful experience from other countries in that area. An in-depth institutional assessment as well as the preparation of a capacity development plan for unidad nacional para la gestion del riesgo de desastres, national unit for disaster risk management (UNGRD) will help define the institutional and implementation arrangements for a potential phase II. In terms of monitoring and evaluation (M and E), the project demonstrated the limits of a quantitative results framework (RF). It highlighted the critical need to design, from entry, some indicators and or an M and E system that can capture the outcomes produced by the project. There was a good synergy between this International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) operation and global facility for disaster reduction and recovery (GFDRR) grants, targeting specific areas of technical assistance (TA) and delivering extra-outcomes and positive impacts around the project.
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Implementation Completion and Results Report ICR1946 JUN 09, 2014
This report summarizes the presentations and discussions that took place as part of the Third Flood Risk Management and Urban Resilience workshop in Manila, the Philippines, in June 2014.
... See More + The workshop was organized by the Disaster Risk Management Team of the East Asia and Pacific region of the World Bank, the Philippines Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Manila Metropolitan Development Authority, with support from the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and the government of the Republic of Korea. The team is grateful for their generous support. The Third Flood Risk Management and Urban Resilience workshop brought together over 70 officials, experts, and representatives from development and partner agencies in more than 10 countries in East Asia, South Asia, and Africa. The first day focused on operational knowledge and lessons learned from implementing flood risk management and urban resilience programs in the Philippines as well as Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Senegal, and Thailand. The second day consisted of field visits to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Pasig City, and Marikina City, which were designed to showcase investments in structural and nonstructural flood risk management measures. The third (half) day was dedicated to reflecting on the presented case studies and site visits and to discussing the needs and opportunities for sustained knowledge exchange within the Community of Practice on Integrated Urban Flood Risk Management (IUFRM COP). The key messages of the workshop fall under four main themes: combination, communication, coordination, and commitment.
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Ratings for the Natural Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Project for Vietnam were as follows: outcomes were moderately satisfactory, risk to development outcome was moderate, Bank performance was moderately satisfactory, and Borrower performance was moderately satisfactory.
... See More + Some lessons learned included: DRM decisions should be made based on perceived risk reduction benefits and a combination of the physical and non-physical solutions in a context of larger integrated river-basin management scale. Existing institutional settings need to be leveraged to implement community-based (CB) DRM activities. Tailored public information and awareness-raising, including gender mainstreaming, are essential for commune participation, accountability, and investment ownership. Operating and maintenance (O and M) budget should be sufficiently allocated through the government annual budget planning cycle conducted in all levels. Strong institutional reform and leadership of the coordination agency is essential for project success and sustainability. Clear institutional arrangements and responsibilities need to be determined before project start. Achievement of the sustainable goal for post-disaster reconstruction should be monitored closely and properly throughout the implementation of both original credit and additional finance (AF). Comprehensive monitoring and evaluation (M and E) framework should be prepared and put in place before the project start.
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Implementation Completion and Results Report ICR3183 JUN 02, 2014
The adverse impacts of natural disasters and climate change constitute a major risk to the poor and near-poor. Poor men and women face disproportionately higher risks from these events because of their limited ability to cope with shocks.
... See More + Therefore, they require more support from social protection programs in order to protect their livelihoods. The increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters make it imperative that governments be prepared to respond.
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Disaster and climate related events exacerbate chronic and transitory poverty because poor and near-poor people have fewer coping and recovery mechanisms.
... See More + In vulnerable countries, the increase in frequency and severity of such events will lead to a growing need for effective social protection policies and programs.
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Early integration of disaster risk management/climate change adaptation criteria into social protection programs monitoring and evaluation plans, systems, and budgets allows for more effective capture of necessary information, including proxy indicators to measure the reduction of risk exposure.
... See More + Organizations such as the Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP) have documented international experience in developing monitoring and evaluation systems that measure disaster risk management and climate change adaptation. Monitoring and evaluation systems have also been used after disasters to provide rapid real-time feedback on the appropriateness and coverage of the response, so that adjustments can be made.
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