UN Support to: Integrated and Sustainable Natural Disaster and Hazards Management in the Republic of Congo (RoC)

August 1st 2006 marks yet again another landmark event in the history of development and humanitarian support to the Republic of Congo. Following several incidents of natural disasters; particularly flooding in the RoC, this partnership between the UN and the government aims to address the phenomenon through a more sustainable approach.

After a prolonged period of consultations, coupled with technical and logistical support to various preparatory missions, the Minister of Social Affairs, Solidarity, Humanitarian Action and Family Affairs, Madame Emilienne Raoul and Mr. Aurélien Agbenonci, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator in the RoC have signed an agreement for the implementation of the project entitled: «Integrated and Sustainable Natural Disaster and Hazards Management in the Republic of Congo (RoC)».

This project was developed through the technical assistance of the UNDP Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) in tandem with technical support from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA's contribution during the preparatory phase is estimated at US$10,000. The project has received the sum of US$ 476,200 or 242,862,000 CFA francs from the UNDP/BCPR emergency funds.

The main aim of this initiative is to provide a short term response to crisis and natural disasters; while ensuring effective preparation towards the integrated and sustainable management of natural disasters and risks. This will reduce the level of vulnerability on victims.

The activities of the project will be governed by the following main objectives:

1. Provide support to the set up of appropriate institutional mechanisms for the management of risks and disasters;

2. Provide support to long term capacity building at the national, regional and local levels, while giving priority to communities directly affected by the crisis;

3. Provide support to the set up of an integrated information system on natural disasters;

4. Facilitate the establishment of long term financial mechanisms to cover the cost of activities linked to the prevention of natural disasters and management of hazards;

5. Promote the integration of risk and vulnerability reduction strategies into the national planning process of development, economic and social programmes.

With regards to the project implementation process, UNDP will work in close collaboration with other national partners alongside UN agencies involved in disaster and crisis management. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Solidarity, Humanitarian Action and Family Affairs will assume a supervisory role.

The effective and successful implementation of this project will definitely contribute towards the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the RoC; while meeting the needs of vulnerable groups who are victims of natural disasters and crisis.

It is worth mentioning that the RoC received the very generous sum of US$ 48,837.29 or 25,500,000 CFA francs from UNDP/BCPR when it was faced with a flooding crisis last December 2005.

English Version by Laura Fultang, OCHA Information Assistant. Tel. 678 58 32, laura.fultang@undp.org