The government of Georgia has planned to increase the budget to implement measures for preventing climate-related disasters. The first deputy minister of environment protection and agriculture, Nino Tandilashvili, shared information in this regard.
The steering committee meeting held on the program “Reduction of the Risk of Disasters Caused by Climate Change in Georgia.” In this meeting, many issues were discussed including expanding the early notification system, opportunities to adapt to climate change and strengthening public risk resistance.
Besides Nino Tandilashvili, Regional Director of South Caucasus Cooperation of the Swiss Embassy in Georgia Barbara Boni, Head of the Swedish Embassy Development Cooperation Environmental Program Khatuna Zaldastanishvili and Permanent Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Georgia also attended the meeting.
The First Deputy Minister focused on the progress made within the program the state’s contribution and the deepening of cooperation between the parties in this direction.
Nino Tandilashvili said “In time of climate change this program becomes even more important. The contribution from the state is impressive and the funding has been increased by $13 million this year. New activities are planned which also include the purchase of additional hydrometeorological stations. Moreover the state budget will mainly be used for the development of infrastructure projects; the regional office of Poti has already been built, the construction of a new office in Kutaisi is under construction”.
Under the program “Reduction of the risk of disasters caused by climate change in Georgia”, 79 new stations and water stations have been added to the existing hydrometeorological stations in Georgia.
Similarly 15 agrometeorological stations have been purchased a geological monitoring system has been deployed at 11 locations hazard maps and emergencies have been created for assessment and modelling of climate threats and climate disaster risk information is underway , flood-proof infrastructure being built at 15 locations and 11 local municipalities are conducting community awareness, information campaigns and educational activities.
According to Barbara Bon Regional Director for Cooperation in the South Caucasus of the Swiss Embassy in Georgia said “The Swiss government is pleased to see the program’s progress in Georgia. Cooperation is the key to the project’s successful implementation”.
