Development stories from Europe and Central Asia - Volume II

Page 47

Crisis Response and Post-Conflict Recovery

HIGHLIGHTS ■

A national disaster risk reduction system established in Armenia.

95 communities have integrated disaster risk reduction into local community budgets.

5,000 metres of drainage systems and 500 metres of mudflow channels were cleaned, and about 1,500 metres of soil dam were built. 12,000 pieces of public information materials were distributed, raising

people’s awareness of how to reduce their risk of disaster.

Armenia

In addition to dam construction, projects focused on cleaning drainage systems to prevent flooding and manage water tables on agricultural land that otherwise might be choked by salt. The measures helped to protect hundreds of hectares of land and households. What is more, disaster risk reduction measures have been integrated into the local budgets of 95 communities. While Armenians cannot stop catastrophes from occurring, they can reduce the risk that disaster will derail development. “We appreciate very much the fact that UNDP brought together those who wanted to This road could not withstand a landslide and collapsed. help and defend us, and ensured that our voices © UNDP Tatevik Ghazaryan were heard as much as those of decision-makers and experts,” said Arakelyan, the Sipanik resident. “The impact is obvious: I cultivate my land and reap the yield, even if the Hrazdan River floods again.”

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“We appreciate very much the fact that UNDP brought together those who wanted to help and defend us, and ensured that our voices were heard…” – Hovhannes Arakelyan, a resident of Sipanik


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