The European Commission has allocated €2 million for disaster preparedness in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
These countries regularly and increasingly experience natural phenomena such as landslides, mudslides, floods and earthquakes. This aid will strengthen the capacities of local and national authorities to better prepare and to cope with such disasters. The funds will be channelled through the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid department under the responsibility of Karel De Gucht.
The funding aims at increasing resilience and reducing the vulnerability of local communities and institutions by supporting strategies which enable them to better prepare for, mitigate and respond to natural disasters. The projects will facilitate the coordination and exchange of knowledge among national and regional authorities.
They will also provide basic know-how in disaster management; training, and early warning systems, and will promote awareness campaigns among the local communities, combined with practical exercises in evacuation, mock drills and dry-run rehearsals. In some areas, small-scale infrastructure works and services will also be financed. Women, children and vulnerable groups such as the disabled and ethnic minorities will be especially targeted.
