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COMMUNITY OF BERANE Montenegro
Join voices for joint efforts! Disaster Risk Rapid Assessment Report ASHOT SARGSYAN ARMEN CHILINGARYAN DRR Advisor DRR Project Coordinator UNDP Armenia UNDP Armenia
UNDP ECIS DRR Community of Practice, 4-6 June, 2012, Budva, Montenegro
COMMUNITY OF BERANE Montenegro
A group of DRR experts from ten countries: Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, France, Netherlands and Sweden visited community of Berane, one of the most disaster prone communities of Montenegro. The visit was aimed at exploring a local hazard, vulnerability and capacity context as well as providing recommendations on the feasible solutions which might help the community and municipality of Berane in their join efforts towards enhancing the community’s resilience. It is intended that it will also facilitate UNDP further engagement into Local Level Risk Management initiatives in Montenegro.
This exercise was conducted within the frames of BCPR organized ECIS DRR Community of Practice held in June 4-6, 2012 in Montenegro. Join voices for joint efforts!
ASHOT SARGSYAN ARMEN CHILINGARYAN DRR Advisor DRR Project Coordinator UNDP Armenia UNDP Armenia
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C O N T E N T S
1. COUNTRY CONTEXT 4
2. MAIN NATURAL HAZARDS 6
3. DISASTER MANAGEMENT GOVERNANCE AND INSTITUTIONAL 7 ARRANGEMENTS
4. COMMUNITY OF BERANE – DISASTER RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS 8 . Secondary data 9 . Institutional Chart 10 . Direct Observation 12 . Mapping 14 . Meeting with Local Authorities 16 . Meeting with Riverside Community Members 17 . Seasonal Events 17 . Disaster Risk Assessment Matrix 19
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 22
6. ACKNOWLEDGMENT 23
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1. COUNTRY CONTEXT
Geography of Montenegro Montenegro (meaning "Black Mountain") is a country in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west. Internationally, Montenegro borders Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo[a], and Albania. Montenegro ranges from high peaks along its borders with Serbia and Albania, a segment of the Karst of the western Balkan Peninsula, to a narrow coastal plain that is only one to four miles (6 km) wide. The plain stops abruptly in the north, where Mount Lovćen and Mount Orjen plunge into the inlet of the Bay of Kotor. Montenegro's large Karst region lies generally at elevations of 1,000 metres (3,280 ft) above sea level; some parts, however, rise to 2,000 m (6,560 ft), such as Mount Orjen (1,894 m/6,214 ft), the highest massif among the coastal limestone ranges. The Zeta River valley, at an elevation of 500 m (1,600 ft), is the lowest segment. Owing to the hyper humid climate on their western sides, the Montenegrin mountain ranges were among the most ice-eroded parts of the Balkan Peninsula during the last glacial period.
Biodiversity
Diversity of geological base, landscape, climate and soil, as well as the very position of Montenegro on the Balkan peninsula and Adriatic sea, created conditions for formation of biological diversity with very
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high values, that puts Montenegro among biological “hot-spots” of European and world’s biodiversity. Number of species per area unit Index in Montenegro is 0.837, which is the highest index recorded in all European countries.
Economy The economy of Montenegro is mostly service-based and is in late transition to a market economy. According to the International Monetary Fund, the nominal GDP of Montenegro was $4.114 billion in 2009. The GDP PPP for 2009 was $6.590 billion, or $10,527 per capita. GDP grew at an impressive 10.7% in 2007 and 7.5% in 2008. The country entered a recession in 2008 as a part of the global recession, with GDP contracting by 4%. However, Montenegro remained a target for foreign investment, the only country in the Balkans to increase its amount of direct foreign investment. The significant dependence of the Montenegrin economy on foreign direct investment leaves it susceptible to external shocks and a high export/import trade deficit. According to Eurostat data, the Montenegrin GDP per capita stood at 41% of the EU average in 2010. Aluminum and steel production and agricultural processing make up for most of the industrial output. Tourism is an important contributor to Montenegrin economy. Tourism is considered the backbone of future economic growth, and government expenditures on infrastructure improvements are largely target towards that goal. Administrative divisions
Montenegro is divided into twenty-one municipalities(opština). Each municipality can contain multiple cities and towns.
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2. MAIN NATURAL HAZARDS1
The most prevalent natural hazards in Montenegro are earthquakes, floods, flash floods, extreme meteorological phenomena, avalanches, regional fires and landslides. The analysis of the last five years shows the increasing trend of frequency and intensity of extreme meteorological events in Montenegro. These include unprecedented levels of precipitation and increase of temperature during the winter time, which disables the rain to turn into the snow. Historic data on flooding in Montenegro shows that in the period 1979-1997 there were 5 major flooding events; but in the six years, 2004-2010, floods occurred 6 times. The biggest floods were recorded in the upper flow of the Tara and the Lim rivers in 1963 and 1979, and then at the end of 1999 and in the first half of 2000.
The December 2010 floods had unprecedented water levels, extent of flooded areas and damages in 12 out of 21 municipalities in Montenegro. Transport routes, electricity supply and communication lines between the northern region and the rest of the country were obstructed for a certain period of time and 1.5% of the population had to be evacuated. The ‘Post-Disaster Needs Assessment following the November – December 2010 Flood Disaster’ in Montenegro, estimated the total damages and losses at approximately € 44 million, at 1.49% of the 2009 GDP.
In January 2012, the country faced a cold freeze, with heavy snowfall blocking access to life line services and communications for many communities in the mountainous areas. The Government had to declare a state of emergency and national and international resources had to be mobilized to provide humanitarian relief to the stranded.
Almost all of Montenegro is exposed to frequent seismic events, especially the coastal area, the Zeta- Skadar depression, and the Berane basin. Around 40% of country’s territory is within a zone of anticipated seismic intensity greater or equal to magnitude 8 on the Richter scale. This affects some 60% of the country’s population. A devastating earthquake in April 1979 occurred in the coast and wider area of Skadar Lake, causing damages amounting to $4 billion, affecting 100,418 people, and killing 136 people. There is a high probability of that strong earthquakes would activate large landslides and rockslides. Meteorological hazards include floods and drought. Strong droughts and increased summer temperature were recorded in the period 1981-90, and especially from 2000-10. According to available projections, by 2030 temperature will rise 0.60 to 1.3°C, depending on the season and the area. Owing to changes in precipitation, there will be a sharp increase in variability of river flow, characterized by both flooding and hydrological drought. Coastal flooding and storm surges will significantly increase.
Little information is available concerning specific disaster vulnerabilities and capacities. Much data is merged with that of Serbia. Vulnerabilities include deteriorated water infrastructure and unsustainable water management practices, unplanned land use, inappropriate forest and mineral resource exploitation, and outdated building codes. Capacity needs identified2 in various studies include the establishment of a National Platform for disaster risk reduction, developing a country-level GIS database
1 Provided by the UNDP Montenegro 2 UNDP BCPR, Disaster Risk Reduction Capacity Assessment Report for Montenegro, April 2011.
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for spatial planning, preparing a disaster management plan for the country, developing legislation on land-use planning and building codes.
Rapid economic development in Montenegro since independence has increased the country’s vulnerability to risk to various disasters. According to data from the Real Estate Directorate there are 39,922 informally constructed structures in Montenegro though as per some unofficial accounts this number exceeds 100,000- with high level of seismic risk and vulnerability to floods. Developmental challenges pertaining to vulnerability of specific groups of population and to regional disparities remain. The Roma, Ashkalia and Egyptian (RAE) population is by far the poorest, most vulnerable and marginalized, with a poverty rate of 36%.3
The low-capacities and lack of preparedness planning are all the more a risk for Montenegro since it is located in South Eastern Europe- a region that is projected to experience the impacts of climate change in a more intense manner than other region. Coupled with its geographic locations, the analysis of the meteorological trends (climate anomalies and extremes are showing up more frequently and presenting more intensely), and forecasts (demonstrated link between Green House Gas emissions and extreme events) all indicate that a more frequent occurrence of extreme events and their more intense presentation will be Montenegro’s reality at least in the short to medium term. This trend is likely to lock the population living in the flood prone areas into intractable process of dealing with flood related damages and losses. Montenegro is facing severe fiscal constraints as a result of the economic crisis and it remains unlikely that public funding will be allocated for training and capacity building for developing preparedness planning.
3. DISASTER MANAGEMENT GOVERNANCE AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
The Law on Protection and Rescue (2007) defines the responsibilities, rights and obligation of citizens, legal entities, local self-government, and state administrative bodies pertaining to protection and rescue. A National Strategy for Emergency Situations has been adopted by the Government in 2006. The National and Local Plans for Protection and Rescue are meant to be adopted at the national and municipal levels and at the level of specific companies. 4 The National Strategy of Sustainable Development (2007) and Spatial Plan of Montenegro (2006) are other instruments identifying risk mitigation measures. The Montenegrin National Forestry Policy and National Forest Inventory maps potential threats to the forests. The law on Montenegrin Red Cross identifies the Red Cross role in emergencies; training, evacuation support, family unification, tracing and first aid. The 2010 law on Hydro-meteorological Matters and Law on Hydrographic Activities gives mandate to the Hydro- meteorological Institute of Montenegro to issue warnings.
The Ministry of Interior and Public Administration (Internal Affairs) is mandated for risk management, preparedness and response since 2004. The Sector for Emergency Management (Extraordinary
3 National Human Development Report, Montenegro, 2009. 4 Law of Protection and Rescue, Official Gazette of Montenegro 13/07, Article 8
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Situations) subordinate to the ministry was established in 2004 and has started considering DRR since 2010.5 Talks on establishment of a National Platform on DRR are ongoing.
4. COMMUNITY OF BERANE – DISATER RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS
In order to make the visit of UNDP experts’ mission to community of Berane as efficient as possible within the very limited time available only few from the wide range of Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) tools were selected and applied, namely:
. Secondary data . Institutional Chart . Direct Observation . Mapping . Meeting with Local Authorities . Meeting with Riverside Community Members . Seasonal Events . Disaster Risk Assessment Matrix
5 IPA Beneficiary Country Needs Assessment, Montenegro
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Thanks to well organized logistics and precise time control the group managed to visit the disaster site, to meet with the members of vulnerable communities including the community council, as well as with the local authorities and Berane Mayor. Relevant data on hazards Berane is exposed to, vulnerability matters, risk factors, the institutional arrangements and community readiness to address these risks were obtained through the mentioned meetings as well as using the official data sources, including UNDP and state statistics. Comparative analysis and VCA matrix were used to consolidate the collected data and to come up with respective conclusions and recommendations. These recommendations, hopefully, will support the collective efforts of Berane and state authorities, community members, UNDP and other stakeholders in improving lives of Riverside community residents through intensifying the DRR activities locally and nationally.
4.1. Secondary data6
Berane is a municipality located in the north-east of Montenegro covering an area of 717 sq. km. or 5.2% of the surface area of Montenegro. Berane town, with a population of approximately 11,000 people (2011 census) is the administrative centre of the municipality. Berane was one of the municipalities that bore the brunt of the 2010 floods in Montenegro. Being a mountainous municipality it is subject to frequent flash floods, heavy precipitation triggering landslides, extreme weather conditions and it remains in a seismically active zone.
2010 floods in Riverside Communities in Berane
UNHCR Supported Camp
6 Provided by UNDP Montenegro
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Donji Talum
The communities in Berane were inundated in 2010. They are located on both banks of the river and besides being geographically vulnerable face existential vulnerability. Many of the community members are Roma and have settled here as a result of being displaced. UNHCR is actively supporting some of the households. The support ranges from legal status, protection, and housing to provision of humanitarian aid during emergencies and the construction of an embankment on one bank of the river.
4.2. Institutional chart
The institutional chart was identified during the assessment and represents the governmental and non- governmental stakeholders, groups and individuals who have/had direct or indirect impact on a community’s development patterns and social life. Main stakeholders are identified by the importance of their role in a community life and the level of their influence. The main stakeholders are evaluated by 1-5 points 1 being the minimum and 5 the maximum) according to their impact on and importance for a community. Points are marked in a chart. Points for impact and importance are averaged and compared. This method helps communities in selecting main stakeholders for participation or assistance in DRR projects.
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Structures/groups/individuals Impact / Role Importance Rating Local self-government 4.5 4.5 1 UNHCR 3.5 3.5 4 USAID 2.5 2.8 6 Agriculture 1 1 7 Ministry of Internal Affaires 3.8 4.8 3 Municipal services for protection and rescue 3 3 5 Civil Defense 2.5 2.8 6 Local Red Cross Committee 4 4 2 CARITAS 2.5 2.8 6
It was assumed after having an informal and open discussion with community council and members that people rely very much on the authorities and professional structures. They repeatedly emphasized the state responsibility in taking more preventive steps in protecting people from emerging floods, rather than responding after the disaster stroked. At the same time they acknowledged the effective performance of authorities, professional services and the NGOs (Red Cross local committee, CARITAS) in evacuating the people in a efficient and timely manner and providing the relief assistance. The institutional chart above is providing a formal picture of people’s reflection in relation to most important (according to their opinion) institutions and role they played in response to recent floods.
“We appreciate the support provided to us by different organizations, including authorities, Red Cross, Caritas, etc. However, we do not need the humanitarian assistance. Believe us! We need a resolution of our problems! Help us to get out from this closed circle.”
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4.3. Direct Observation
Direct observation is a tool used by the assessment team from the beginningDirect observation of reaching is aa tool used by the community. This tool helps to observe and register things and eventsassessment that may look team usual from for the beginning of community members but implicate a hazard or a risk that catches thereaching eye of aa newcomer.community. First This tool helps to observations on a community, its buildings and constructions, humanobserve resources, and register location things and land and events use can be very useful for further analyses. Often community residentsthat do may not look notice usual existing for community hazardous objects or phenomena as they surround them in their dailymembers life. During but implicate direct a hazard or a risk observation, the UNDP experts’ team acquired information on objects, people, phenomena, that catches the eye of a newcomer. First relations, etc. that may not be obtained from any official or secondaryobservations source. The on information a community, is its presented in the table below. buildings and constructions, human resources, location and land use can be
very useful for further analyses. Often community residents do not notice existing hazardous objects or phenomena as they surround them in their daily life. During direct observation, the UNDP experts’ team acquired information on objects, people,
phenomena, relations, etc. that may not be obtained from any official or secondary source. The information is presented in the table below.
Options of Direct Observations Objects, phenomena, people, Description relations Infrastructures Mainly old, one store buildings. There are some newly constructed Major buildings buildings in particular “Refugee village” built by UNHCR. Buildings are located between two river banks and usually suffering from floods. Available - good condition of main road and middle condition of roads Roads main/internal connecting communities Partially operating but can cause epidemic in time of floods both in community of Roma and in Berane community where buildings of Red Sewerage Cross and School are located; Tender for construction of sewerage is announced and the new one will be constructed next year (Mayor office) Not Available - Widespread and cause insanitary situation especially in Roma community of; Waste disposal Tender for construction of waste sorting and recycling facility is announced which will be constructed for several communities next
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year (Mayor office) Systems of vital importance There is one elementary school located in the assessment area; It is located close to river bank and can suffer from flooding, as well as the School/other educational sewage runs near by the school which turns to a major epidemics institution threat during flooding and high waters. Type of the building - old but newly renovated. It is fully operating. There are two hospitals, the old, which is located close to the flooding area, though is not affected directly by the floods, and the new one. Medical point/hospital For the old hospital the main threat is the break of infection diseases in the result of water raising and turning the sewage into opposite direction. Medical staff and services are available. Type of the building - old, newly renovated and operating, Community Hall Location of the building – accessible but not very safe in terms of flooding (it is located close to the river bank) and earthquake Public transport, police, fire brigade are located not adjacent to the Transportation, energy, water community are still available. reservoir, communication system, Electricity serves as the only source of energy in the community on an police, fire brigade, etc. hour bases. There is no gas supply. Risk location – places of rest/entertainment/public gatherings Café/restaurant Not available in the assessment area. Not available in the assessment area. Children of Roma community Play ground/stadium often use the garbage dump located within the houses as a playground. Not exist in the riverside community but available for the community Fuel/petrol station people. Water pits/still water Permanent water supply is available. Church (also other historical and Not exist in the assessment territory but available for the community cultural monuments, bridges) people. The Store on the Roma community opposite side initially was constructed as a lather factory. It is now serve as a Construction Materials Store (Private). The river mainstream was changed because Construction Materials Store of constructed soil dam to protect the Store (Community people). It became a cause of widespread flooding reaching the Roma Community on the opposite bank.
Inaccurate and uncontrolled gravel removal from river basin. Gravel removal Social and economic Houses are in bad condition in a hazardous area with lack of heating Houses in Roma community system and vulnerable environment in terms of hygiene and sanitary. The location of community is very close to the river bank. New constructions (about 5 years) and newly renovated by UNHCR Houses in Refugee Camp after the flooding in 2010. Not safety position (lowland) of Refugee Camp; and very close to river bank location.
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Adjacent territories Dirty, unsafe, unattended Large families with multiple generations – grandfather, grandmother, Family composition/life conditions children. Population density is high (10/11 children in average) More than one, built very close to each other, close to living area of Constructions in the garden domestic animals, as well as river bank, sewage and garbage dump. Living standards Everyday life Due to the high rate of unemployment, most of the people deal with short-term various jobs and self employment (forging metals etc.) Representatives of Roma community are not intensively involved in the Berane everyday life. They keep on living in accordance to their own, specific customs and habits and within their community they are more Relations among than supportive and helpful to each other. It is important to mention villagers/behaviors/manners…. that Roma community representatives mentioned their readiness to support the Municipality of Berane whenever the Municipality starts introducing the mitigation or prevention measures. The Roma community has conservative living standards and is out of Municipality control in terms of income and property status. Despite of Capacities this fact the same community representatives own personal good quality cars.
Bad living conditions vulnerable to seasonal and underground floods, Vulnerability potential exposure to epidemics due to wastes and absence of sewerage system. One floor multi room houses with roof space which can serve as safe House/living conditions area in time of flooding, though poorly furnished Unofficial community Community has very active representatives who take the role of leaders/authorities/respected community unofficial leaders. and whenever necessary are able to individuals unite the community and provide required support to the municipality.
4.4. Mapping
In this case the Mapping was used to indicate the hazards and vulnerability in community. Mapping in DRR sector is acknowledged as a tool for visualizing positions of risks which are either not noticed or not observed in everyday life. It is known that mapping is a time-consuming process requiring participation of given community, nevertheless it considered as a very important and effective tool in community based assessment process that provides a reasonable opportunity for communities to compare their hazards. As a base map (secondary data) the assessment team used the UNDP provided disaster-flood Map which has been completed jointly with community participants.
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Dam does not exist anymore as according to the information provided by the community representatives it was washed out by the recent floods
The new soil-dam built by UNHCR which supposes to protect the refugee camp from the future floods
City sewage flows directly into the river not far from the main bridge due to the absence of centralized sewerage system. During the floods when the water raises the sewage proceeds in the opposite direction causing serious infection and epidemics threat to the population and mainly for the school and the old hospital located nearby.
Another sewage (the Roma community waste) runs just alongside a river passing all along the houses and flows into the river. And as the people say, it has become an indispensible part of their life. The Roma community garbage dump located within the houses presently is totally unmanaged creating major problems for the Roma community, especially for children who often use the surroundings as a playground.
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4.5. Meeting with Local Authorities
The meeting was held at the Mayor’s Office and was aimed at introduction of the purpose of UNDP mission to Berane, obtaining at the same time an information on:
. threats and hazards the community is facing . Berane Municipality feasible capacities . vision of the community authorities including Mayor on DRR related issues and envisaged measures . possible cooperation with the affected communities in addressing the consequences floods as well as future challenges community may continuously face.
The main outcome of the discussion was:
Disaster risk reduction is a new challenge and despite of the steps already taken at the national level there is a still long way to go, in order to turn the people’s mind from purely strong disaster response set up to the building of more comprehensive disaster prevention, preparedness and response capacities Lack of financial resources and cluster coordination related to DRR implementation at all levels Lack of knowledge and experience in DRR orientated tasks Rich experience in disaster response and recovery make it manageable: available human and technical resources, including the special equipment, plan of action including main actors, liabilities and procedures Functioning early warning system Willingness to take the lead and provide required support in improving the disaster management related issues (promote and encourage the public education, lead the DRR oriented initiatives, cooperate with communities throughout the implementation of mitigation / adaptation community based projects supporting with machinery, expertise and other technical resources) Commitment to promote the intercommunity relationship and social integration issues. Although, no interest shown by the Roma community members towards intercommunity relationship, probably due to their particular living culture. Also it is out of Municipality control in terms of income and property status. Readiness to initiate the consolidated inter-community project engaging all communities living alongside the river Lim bank and facing similar problems in order to join resources and efforts in mitigating the consequences of emerging floods.
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4.6. Meeting with Riverside Community Members
The meeting was held with affected Roma and Refugee community members. The objective of the meeting was to represent the purpose of the visit, identify the flood related threats, vulnerability level and existing capacities, also awareness and knowledge on flood related preparedness and response matters. The results run as follows:
Lack of trust to the Municipality and hence - no working mechanism for mutual cooperation Lack of financial and technical resources to address the flood related emerging needs Insufficient level of early warning system and evacuation mechanism Lack of participatory approach in disaster management, and as a result – insufficient community engagement Lack of knowledge and proper awareness to deal with disasters, flooding in particular Lack of understanding of roles and responsibilities of disaster management institutions, liabilities of local and national structures Representatives of Roma community are not intensively involved in the Berane everyday life. They keep on living in accordance to their own, specific customs and habits and within their community they are more than supportive and helpful to each other. In spite of this the Roma community representatives mentioned their readiness to support the Berane Municipality disaster management initiatives Roma community possesses very active and highly respected individuals who take the role of community unofficial leaders and always able to unite the community in joining municipality led initiatives.
4.7. Seasonal Events
A ‘Seasonal Events’ is a tool which allows exploring the changes taking place in the community over the period of one year. It is a community seasonal calendar of events. It can be used to show disasters / hazardous phenomena, climate change impacts, social and economic changes, periods of disease outbreak, etc. ‘Seasonal Events’ is a table where the occurrence of the certain event (given in rows) in the related month (given in columns) is checked. It must be completed together with the community residents in order to observe hazard frequencies and evaluate the disaster risk from their point of view. The seasonal calendar becomes very valuable while using the accumulated data for the comparative analysis with data collected throughout the risk assessment community team and official statistics. Some columns below have not been completed for Berane case (migration, healthcare, etc.) due to the lack of time and relatively strict agenda of the visit.
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January February March May June July August September October November December
April
Seasonal events
Social and economic High income x x x Low income x x x x x Emigration N / A Outgoing work N / A Return N / A Harvest x x Truancy N / A Cattle butcher N / A Seeding N / A Heavy rains x x x x Robbery N / A Healthcare Influenza epidemics N / A Intestinal infections N / A Tuberculosis N / A Hazards Hailstorm x x x Flood x x x x x x x Drought x x Rock-falling x x x x x x x x x Forest fire x x x x Heavy snowing x x x x Other events
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4.8. Disaster Risk Assessment Matrix
The table below presents the hazards threatening the community laid in a priority order defined by the community members.
HAZARD VULNERABILITY-JUSTIFICATION
1 Floods Houses being located on lowland close to the river bank are flooded due to heavy precipitation in spring and autumn. The roads become impassable. Cellars of the houses and plots are covered with water. After each flooding people renovate the houses, cleaning up the territories often having to use expensive machinery which cost them much more than the compensation they receive. 2 Epidemic Due to open sewage channel which usually during the floods get mixed with flooded river causing infectious diseases and epidemics both in Riverside communities and Berane where the Red Cross building and the school are located very close to the flooded area. Rising temperature observed due to climate change may also cause an outbreak of infectious diseases due to widespread garbage and insanitary condition especially in the Roma community. 3 Heavy snowing Mostly observed in winter within the last 3 years. It may block the main road isolating the community from the rest of the country. 3 Forest fires Due to incorrect human performance and arid weather of the recent years the forest fires become more frequent. It has huge impact not only on the environment but also on floods intensity. 4 Earthquake The territory is located in a seismic prone area impending the lives and health of the population as the houses are quite old and of poor quality. Also the population lack knowledge on preparedness and response measures to be taken before, during and after the earthquake. 5 Landslide Landslides also are very common for the country and this area in particular. They destroy houses and roads.
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As shown in the table above, the population of the community considers floods to be the most hazardous phenomena. Children are considered to be the most vulnerable group of the community as e.g. the height of the water was 2 m during the last floods.
The second main hazard is epidemic because of open sewage channel which usually get mixed with the river during floods. The Roma community garbage dump located in between the houses presently is totally unmanaged and may become a reason for epidemic creating major problems for the Roma community, especially for children who often use the surroundings as a playground. Impediments of heavy snowing and forest fires are considered of equal risk by the community being placed in the 3rd place. The heaviest snowing was observed last winter which blocked the main road isolating the community from the rest of the country. The main reason for forest fires are rising temperature observed due to climate change and incorrect human performance. The earthquake and landslides were mentioned only by the representatives of Municipality of Berane, which means there is lack of knowledge among the community residents related to those hazards. The earthquake is supposed to be one of the major hazards not only for the community of Berane but for the whole territory of Montenegro.
The recommendations provided below represent the assessment team approach as well as view of assessed communities. Nevertheless the potential solutions have been set up by the assessment team only, though it is important in near future to share it with the community in order to one general solution orientated plans.
Risk Impact Potential solution Expected result
Hazard Vulnerability
Floods / Communities Making community roads Construction of 1 km Decrease potential roads, houses, impassable. soil dam in the river losses, saving community people especially Flooding the cellars of bank especially along resources used for children houses and plots causing the Roma community. elimination of flood
material loses. Provision of public implications. Necessity to clean up the awareness campaign Increase of relevant territory using mechanical and simulation knowledge and skills equipment and renovate exercises aimed at Decrease potential losses the houses. rising knowledge trough provision of among the community timely information about
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members. possible flood and Improvement of early organizing evacuation warning system and evacuation mechanisms Epidemic / Roma Open Sewerage channel Development of Protection of the community which usually mix with the Sewerage system population and the people river during floods may Improvement of environment. especially cause epidemic both in garbage disposal Increase of knowledge children community of Roma and in Berane community where system and and skill buildings of Red Cross and construction of waste School are located. sorting and recycling Rising temperature facility observed due to climate Provision of public change may also cause awareness campaign epidemic because of widespread garbage and insanitary situation especially in the community of Roma.
Heavy snowing / Main road, Blocking the main road Development of Decrease potential losses population isolating the community response capacity trough provision of from the rest of country including human timely information about (specialised groups) possible heavy snowing, and heavy machinery as well as providing to clean the road and timely rescue and rescue people evacuation Develop and test cooperation mechanisms among the main responsible bodies Improvement of early warning system Deforestation as a result of Create specialised Prevent possible forest Forest fires / Environment, forest fires. response teams to deal fires population Environmental and with the forest fires Renovate the forest ecosystem problems Tree planting aimed at Increase the knowledge
Creates favorable renovation of burnt and develop culture of environment for floods forest areas forest protection intensity Provide public
awareness campaign Put up warning signs in forests
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Earthquake / people, Human and material loses Conduct Seismic Risk Urban development houses, critical assessment implementation based facilities Develop and test on current seismic risk cooperation situation mechanisms among Integration of new the main responsible seismic safety bodies technologies, Decrease in Provide public potential human and awareness campaign material losses and simulation Increased knowledge and exercises aimed at skills rising knowledge among the population. Improve the early warning system and evacuation mechanisms Landslide / people, Blocking the main road Specialized Avoid material and main road, isolating the community investigation and human losses; inform the constructions from the rest of country. mapping of landslide population on the zones. correct picture of Provision of early landslide areas and warning of the hazard. possible danger.
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Floods are the main hazardous events deeply threatening the lives and property of the Riverside community members with extended effect over the whole city of Berane. They become very frequent and intensive during the last 10 years due to the heavy and multiple influence of different natural and manmade factors, namely:
change of river mainstream because of constructed soil dam to protect the construction material store (former leather factory) in the opposite to Roma Community river bank unsecure- lowland position of Refugee Camp, very close to the river bank inappropriate and uncontrolled human performance referring to the gravel removal from
the river basin climate change related hazards such as strong rains/rain storms, heavy snow melting deforestation as a result of forest fires and uncontrolled woodcutting
absence / insufficiency of community protecting dams lack of knowledge on complexity of disasters lack of inter-municipal and inter community cooperation
passive role of the communities in addressing the disaster risks lack of community based disaster preparedness and response capacities 22
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Implementing Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA)
Intentionally the recommendations below are laid in accordance with the HFA priority directions in order to ensure comprehensive and systematic approach towards the improvement of Disaster Management capacities locally and nationally7. In the real sense the division below is rather relative as the listed activities are very much inter-connected and mutually influential.
HFA Priority Directions Recommended Actions Priority Action 1: . Assist to develop inter-municipal Water Resources Management Strategy/Action Plan DRR is national and . Strengthen coordination mechanisms among UN family, Red Cross and other non- local priority with governmental sector (e.g. early recovery) strong institutional . Redefine approaches, roles and responsibilities among the main stakeholders basis . Strengthen inter-municipal cooperation (Integrated Water Resources Management/“Lim River Basin” approach) Priority Action 2: . Develop/improve an early warning system Identify, assess and . Put up warning signs in disaster-prone areas. monitor Disaster risk and enhance early warning Priority Action 3: . Develop training toolkit both for specialist and population and provide theoretical Use Knowledge, and practical trainings to increase the knowledge, as well as to develop and improve Innovation, Education the skills and cooperation mechanisms related to evacuation to built a culture of . Develop and publish public awareness materials related to main hazards and safety and resilience behavior rules to build a culture of safety both for specialists and the population. at all levels Priority Action 4: . Improvement of the utilities economy, i.e. construction of a sewerage system, Reduce the underlying organization of garbage disposal risk factors . Develop Capacity through non-structural mitigation (risk maps, development of risk assessment products-software, toolkits, training etc.) Priority Action 5: . To conduct complex VCA assessment with involvement of both Roma and refugee Strengthen disaster communities representatives, as well as the municipality of Barene to come up with preparedness for common recommendations and solution. Based on the solution the DRR projects and effective response response plans could be developed. As an initial stage the recommended solutions at all levels can be discussed with the mentioned stakeholders, updated and approved thus becoming a first step in development intercommunity cooperation and Disaster Management culture . Involve the community population in DRR processes as an important stakeholder. Establish a team for development of projects for resolving the DRR issues of the community and implementation of potential donor programs . Integrate DRR related issues into community development plans and business sector
7 Special thanks to the member of the group Mr. Mukash Kaldarov, Chief Technical Adviser, a.i. DRM Program, UNDP Kyrgyzstan for the recommendations elaborated and introduced during the CoP workshop in the “Findings and capacity development recommendations for the municipality of Berane” presentation.
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Join voices for joint efforts!
Members of the UNDP expert group visited the city of Berane to extent their sincere appreciation to the Riverside community members, municipal authorities and the Mayor , representatives of emergency structures, Red Cross local committee, international and local NGOs for the kind attention and hospitality provided and acknowledge the openness and fruitfulness of the discussions held. It is to be admitted, that only thanks to the informal and frank dialogue maintained throughout the whole mission the group worked rather efficient taking into consideration the mission duration, strict agenda and time constraints. This report is a squeezed reflection of the group’s collective feelings and professional expertise compiled and shaped by the Armenia DRR team members. It is an option and can be used either as a case study for learning purposes, or be a contribution towards Berane disaster management capacity improvement. Hopefully, it will be of certain support to Berane authorities and to people in the affected communities, as well as for the UNDP Montenegro colleagues in their further attempts towards improvement of the people’s lives of the Riverside community through strengthening the community disaster management capacities and enhancing its resilience towards disasters. Particular tribute goes to the UNDP Montenegro colleagues and the trip facilitators who have worked very hard to ensure the required working conditions, precise time control and simply… the human warmth and hospitality what probably is the most valuable thing that people look for.
Excellent! Bravo!
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