The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) through "Initiative for Disaster Risk Reduction" handed over the Disaster Risk Analysis System (DRAS) to Tuzla and Doboj Mayors. DRAS is an online platform that provides accurate information to citizens and decision makers on exposure to floods and landslides and is currently available for Tuzla and Doboj. The development of DRAS platform was financed by the Government of Turkey.
DRAS has three modules. The first is available on-line to the public and can be accessed by anyone, while the other two are intended for officials of local communities. Publicly available parts of DRAS can be accessed via https://dras.undp.ba/
During the handover ceremony Sukhrob Khoshmukhamedov, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP BiH, said that UNDP has created a modern tool that systematically contributes to solving disaster risk issues in BiH.
"The Internet platform is a result of joint efforts of UNDP, civil protection, water agencies, municipalities and others. Turkey provided a key support for platform implementation. Doboj and Tuzla are most exposed to hazards in BiH but other locations are exposed as well. In 2015, Flood and Landslide Risk Assessment for the Housing Sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina was developed. The study showed that the total population living in the areas exposed to very significant risk of flooding is over 280,000 while the total population living in areas at very significant risk of landslides is over 260,000. BiH is now richer for a modern tool that is accessible to everyone. DRAS presents hazard information in a simplified way that everyone can understand. Local communities can plan and take into account the risks of disaster"
Khoshmukhamedov said, expressing hope that it will be possible to establish this system in the entire country.
Haldun Koc, the ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to BiH, emphasized that he was very pleased that DRAS was formally handed over to Tuzla and Doboj. The Turkish Ambassador added "It is very good that we can see the condition before and after. Then it's easier to intervene when something happens. I believe this is really important and we need to have data before the disasters. We believe that DRAS, developed by UNDP with the support of Turkey, which will be accessible to people, will contribute significantly to the response of people and municipalities to disasters. The use of technology, knowledge and skills in the field of disaster response is of great importance. The integration of IT technology and software programs in disaster recovery represents an investment for the future. We will be able to analyze the situation in a particular region before the catastrophe, which will facilitate the assistance," concluded Koc.
Both Mayors expressed great gratitude to UNDP and Turkey as they enabled them to react to prevent natural disasters in the future, and stressed that this is a very important step forward in that direction, but also that the DRAS application offers the possibility of software upgrades and many other aspects. In 2014, Tuzla had major problems with the landslides that were activated as a result of abundant rainfall.
"In 2014, Doboj was exposed to a major problem of floods, and Tuzla had the problem of landslides. Today’s step forward has been made thanks to UNDP and Turkey, and it is important in many aspects.
This software can be upgraded for different aspects. We can anticipate and reduce risks in the future. Particularly important is that by a simple use of a cell phone anyone can check a place and whether it is risky for construction," Jasmin Imamović, Mayor of Tuzla emphasized.
Mayor of Doboj Obren Petrovic was very sincere saying "In 2014, Doboj experienced a catastrophe worse than that of 1965. It was completely flooded, and we could not do anything. This is very important because we also had 11 dead people. Every prevention is very important for people to be prepared to protect themselves and take certain measures as individuals and communities”.
The platform was developed in cooperation with stakeholders from different sectors - civil protection authorities, municipalities, centers for social welfare, water agencies, geology institutes, IT experts.