Risk Preparedness
Focused mainly on risks of particular importance in the SEE and Mediterranean Region such as seismology, but also flood and sea level rising (through the connection with other activities in the field of integrated water management – and WH sites ).
Referring to the Hyogo Declaration and related Framework for Action for the decade between 2005 and 2015, risk preparedness aims at building the capacity of nations and communities to better prepare to and mitigate the natural disaster risks in the region.
Objectives
1. Raising awareness about natural risk in SEE among policy-makers and stakeholders in general, concept to be fully integrated into policies and plans (as also included in the UNDAF Matrix for FYR Macedonia), with strong support and participation of local communities;
2. Coordinating monitoring and risk assessment efforts in the region (networking), so to support the establishment and functioning of early warning systems and risk mapping (for prioritization of needed actions);
3. Building the capacity in the particular field of risk mitigation for Natural and Cultural Heritage properties, in cooperation with WHC and ICCROM (training and pilot experiences in WH sites, also considering and valuing traditional knowledge in this very field);
4. Delivering information and training materials in particular for site managers, decision makers and communities at large in the region.
Seismology – Mapping the risk in SEE and networking
Based on existing knowledge as established in the frame of “Seismic-hydrogeological vulnerability of the environment and the society in the Balkan region", but also existing networks such as the South Eastern European (SEE) Disasters Risk Assessment and Mitigation Network established at the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) - UNESCO Chair of the Natural Hazards in the Geosphere, the Hydrosphere and the Atmosphere.
See level rising and WH coastal cities in SEE
Taking advantage of being connected to the World Heritage site Venice and its Lagoon and a network of World Heritage sites in the region that are also coastal cities (Dubrovnik, Split, Kotor, Butrint, Ohrid, Corfù) and are facing common challenges (sea level rising and the protection of historical cities, growth of tourism flows, rapid urbanization processes, etc.)
Flood control and River Basins in SEE
Flood Protection and Nature/Cultural Heritage Conservation in River Corridors, using in particular existing and future UNESCO designated sites along the Sava river and the Drava-Mura river corridor as demonstration sites from which experiences will be elaborated so to impact policy-making (Integrated River Basin Management)