OSCE supports community-based disaster risk reduction in Moldova

Awareness-raising of disaster risk reduction at the local level was the focus of a training seminar organized in Vadul lui Voda on 25 and 26 February 2015 by the OSCE Mission to Moldova in partnership with local partners.

The event brought together 25 participants from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River, including representatives of local public authorities, national agencies, civil society and the Aarhus Centres in Chisinau and Bender.

They learnt about developing and implementing elaborated action plans as well as new communication tools to raise awareness, disaster prevention and disaster preparedness for local communities. The training was provided by international experts together with experts from the State Hydrometeorology Service and Civil Protection and Emergency Situations Service of Moldova.

The seminar was organized as part of a regional project to strengthen the capacities of Aarhus Centres in disaster risk reduction in order to enhance awareness of local communities. The project is financed by Switzerland, Austria and Finland, and implemented in seven countries. Later this year, it will be followed by the development of an action plan for awareness-raising on disaster risk reduction at the local level and pilot activities.

The seminar was held in co-operation with UNDP Moldova and the Regional Environment Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), in the framework of the Environment and Security (ENVSEC) Initiative.