REDUCING MULTI-HAZARD RISKS ACROSS TAJIKISTAN Protecting Communities Through Quality Infrastructure AT A GLANCE Hazard levels in Tajikistan, by district Country Tajikistan Risks Seismic and hydrometeorological risks to critical RIVER FLOOD URBAN FLOOD infrastructure Area of Engagement Promoting resilient infrastructure In Tajikistan, the Government is investing in improving infrastructure to connect communities, improve economic outcomes, and achieve a more resilient future for its citizens. EARTHQUAKE LANDSLIDE A HAZARDOUS LANDSCAPE Tajikistan’s steep mountainous terrain make it highly susceptible to many natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, and avalanches. Shocks like these are a Source: Thinkhazard.org recurring obstacle to sustainable development and put at risk Very Low Medium more than 15 years of poverty reduction efforts. From 1992 to 2016, natural disasters affected 7 million people in Tajikistan Low High – more than 80 percent of the total population – and caused economic losses worth $1.8 billion. Climate change is exacerbating Tajikistan’s vulnerabilities, given that 30% of glaciers are predicted to disappear by 2050. FROM DISASTER TO A STRATEGY Tajikistan also remains one of the most isolated countries in FOR RESILIENCE the world – a situation made worse by landslides, debris flows and floods that can render bridges unsafe and roads impassable In 2015, a destructive earthquake led to landslide debris and, through time, weaken the flood defenses which protect flow in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region its most exposed communities. Over and above this chronic (GBAO) of Tajikistan. The Global Facility for Disaster challenge is the threat of rare but potentially devastating Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and the World Bank earthquakes, with more than 60% of the country located in partnered with the Government of the Republic of zones of high seismic risk. Tajikistan, and its key institutions (Ministry of Finance, Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense, To secure a resilient future for the country, it is critical that Agency for Land Reclamation and Irrigation, Ministry of the Government protect communities and livelihoods through Transport and others) to: safer, more reliable transport networks and flood defense, and strengthened emergency services. ►► Undertake a rapid risk assessment; RESULTS IN RESILIENCE SERIES ►► Provide guidance for establishing an emergency management plan and restoring transport links; and ►► Initiate a $1.2 million technical assistance program to Improved services for 650,000 promote risk-informed infrastructure development and to strengthen the capacity of emergency citizens preparedness. These recommendations formed the foundation for a $50 million World Bank investment program to reinforce Tajikistan’s adaptive capabilities by strengthening critical infrastructure assets in some of the country’s most remote areas, and enhance wider preparedness measures, including an overhaul of its national emergency response services. It is estimated TRADE AND Rapid risk assessment and extensive that this investment will directly benefit 650,000 citizens CONNECTIVITY consultations enabled government (8% of Tajikistan’s population). REINFORCED to prioritize risk reduction measures, ensuring improved connectivity and trade from Tajikistan’s poorest and most isolated LESSONS LEARNED area, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO), to Dushanbe. Restoration of the international M41 route, Risk-informed design of critical infrastructure which connects Dushanbe with China (one of Tajikistan’s in hazard-prone areas is essential for major trading partners) will stimulate longer term economic sustainable development. growth and related poverty reduction efforts in remote areas. Tajikistan’s infrastructure is gradually deteriorating as a result of insufficient maintenance and repeated exposure to natural hazards. An important objective IMPROVED In mountainous areas, hazard is to blend hazard information and climate change RISK scenarios and potential climate change scenarios with local knowledge in the design of newly INFORMATION effects were directly incorporated into constructed and/or rehabilitated infrastructure assets to engineering designs of 18 bridges to improve resilience overtime. increase the span and deepen their foundations to boost resistance to future debris impacts. Community engagement with public works maximizes ownership and reduces the risk of infrastructure failure. RIVER To improve river flow in downstream FLOOD RISKS areas in the Khatlon Region, selected In Tajikistan, the Khashar – a tradition of community- MITIGATED dykes and river embankments will be level mobilization – encourages communities to get reconstructed and/or reinforced. This together and contribute through voluntary labor to will improve household safety, prevent erosion and reduce local infrastructure projects, such as bridge repairs disruption to the agricultural activities that are critical for or cleanup of irrigation canals. To optimize the 63% of the country’s population. sustainability of investments and encourage bottom- up maintenance, this program will engage with local stakeholders and promote inclusive action through the Khashar mobilization mechanism. “This project is a good illustration of how Tajikistan can simultaneously reduce disaster risks while preserving development gains.” -- Mr. Abdusalom Qurboniyon, Minister of Finance, Republic of Tajikistan. Contact: Ko Takeuchi October 2017 ktakeuchi@worldbank.org www.gfdrr.org