Project Objectives [from section 2 of PCN]
The objective of the proposed Disaster Risk Mitigation and Adaptation Project for Moldova is to reduce the country's vulnerability to natural hazards and impact of climate change, which may result in serious human and economic losses. This objective will be achieved by: (i) improving preparedness and response capabilities; (ii) strengthening the capacity of the SHS to deliver its services; and (iii) helping Moldovan farmers adapt to climatic hazards such as drought, frost, hail, etc.
Project Description [from section 3 of PCN]
It is proposed that the project include the components and activities described below. However, further prioritization of the potential activities will be required during the course of project preparation, based on additional discussions and detailed costs estimates.
Component A: Disaster Risk Management and Preparedness
The objective of this component is to strengthen the capacity of government institutions to manage hazard risks and respond to disasters.
Emergency Response Equipment and Relief Supplies. Support will be provided for the purchase of equipment for first responders, i.e., civil protection specialized teams, (e.g., vehicles, personal protective equipment, tools, etc).
Training of First Responders. The project will support the development of a national training center for delivery of training and exercises for first responders, including the development and delivery of specialized training and exercises for the specialized teams.
Public Awareness, Communication and Information. The proposed project will support raising awareness by making the general public aware of measures to take before, during and after a disaster. In addition, to better prepare for emergencies associated with transboundary rivers such as the Nistru, mechanisms of coordination with neighboring countries will be outlined.
Component B: Strengthening of Hydro-meteorological Services
The objective of the proposed Hydro-meteorological strengthening component is to address key gaps in capacity to mitigate damage associated with severe climatic events. The issues selected are: 'nowcasting' of severe weather events and the provision of seasonal weather forecasts.
Automatic Weather Stations (AWS). The proposed project will support deployment of an array of agrometeorological automatic weather stations. These will significantly expand the capacity of the SHS to provide reliable forecasts for the agricultural sector.
Agro-meteorological information dissemination to farmers. While the SHS collects and analyzes agro-meteorological data and passes on information to responsible agencies as well as to media, there is a sense that more needs to be done to provide information related to severe weather events to end users such as farmers and to decision makers in a timely and user friendly manner. To help improve the dissemination of hydromet information, the proposed project will review the existing information chain and propose improvements and provide necessary financing for associated capacity building and/or equipment.
Component C: Adapting to Climate Change in Agricultural Sector
The main objective of this component is to help Moldovan farmers adapt to climatic hazards such as drought, frost, hail, etc. This would be achieved by improving agricultural extension services and creating access to all interested parties to good agricultural practices and conducting a series of demonstration activities.
Climate adaptation demonstration activities. This subcomponent will finance a series of demonstration activities that would show to farmers low cost and efficient agricultural practices in this regard. Special attention will be paid to creating awareness of water management, crop diversification, and new technologies being employed to protect against climatic hazards.