Solid Foundations : Understanding Disaster Risk and Unlocking Climate Resilience in Central Asia

Overview & Synopsis

Central Asia is highly vulnerable to natural hazards, especially earthquakes, floods, and landslides. Furthermore, in the last two decades, climate change has raised the frequency and intensity of natural hazards, generating greater impact and losses, an effect exacerbated by population growth and urbanization. Earthquakes and floods on average affect the lives of 3 million people in the region each year, with their economic impact amounting to almost 10 billion dollars (Burunciuc 2020) With the harmful impacts of climate change now observable everywhere, Central Asian countries must enhance their disaster preparedness to preserve lives, decrease the economic burden, and safeguard developmental gains. Because many natural hazards are transboundary in nature, enhanced regional cooperation on disaster risk preparedness is essential. The final section of the report, Looking Ahead, reflects on the Program’s work and includes additional high-level policy recommendations and potential ways forward. These center on knowledge enhancement and technology adoption, regional collaboration, sustainable development integration and climate change adaptation, and institutional strengthening and community engagement. The report concludes by outlining some current and future uses of the data generated by the SFRARR Program.