Armenian Red Cross Society Hazard, Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment in Koghes Community, Lori Region Report

ARMENIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY

HAZARD, VULNERABILITY AND CAPACITY ASSESSMENT IN KOGHES COMMUNITY, LORI REGION

REPORT

JULY 2014

This material was developed within the framework of “Building Safe and Resilient Communities” Project of the Armenian Red Cross Society.

Program is implemented with financial support of the Austrian Development Agency and Austrian Red Cross.

The objective of the Program is to reduce vulnerability of the rural and urban population toward disasters in Armenia.

The capital of the Republic of Armenia and Lori region has been selected as a target for implementation of the program. There are six target communities in Lori region that include four rural and two urban communities.

96000 people intended to become a beneficiary within the framework of the Project. Those are people who live in the most vulnerable, disaster prone urban and rural communities and permanently affected by different types of disasters.

List of Content

1. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS 5 1.1 Secondary data 5 1.2 Geographical location and climate of Koghes community 5 1.3 Community population 6 1.4 Hazards affecting Koghes community 7 1.5 Main buildings 7 1.6 Local and National roads 7 1.7 Transport 8 1.8 Sewage 8 1.9 Garbage removal 8 1.10 Irrigation 8 1.11 Water supply 8 1.12 Energy 8 1.13 Gasification 8 1.14 Bridges 9 1.15 Special services 9 1.16 Transportation resources 9 1.17 Employment 9 1.18 Vitally important facilities 9 2. MAPPING 10 3. SEASONAL CALENDAR 12 4. HISTORICAL CALENDAR 13 5. DISCUSSIONS IN FOCUS GROUPS 15 6. SEMISTRUCTURED INTERVIEWS 16 6.1 Phenomena that threaten the community 16 6.2 Emergency situations occurred in community in recent year and their consequences 16 6.3 Capacity of the community toward resilience and response to emergency situations 16 6.4 DRR related events organized in the community 17

7. MASS SURVEY AMONG RESIDENTS USING QUESTIONNAIRES 17 7.1 Main hazardous phenomena threatening community 17 7.2 Sesonality of hazardous phenomena 18 7.3 Frequency of hazardous phenomena 19 7.4 Losses incurred by population as a result of emergency situations in the community 20 7.5 Combination of hazards and vulnerability 20 7.6 Knowledge of community residents about disaster resilience 22 8. DRR ISSUES AND THEIR PRIORITISED SOLUTIONS THAT ENSURE RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT OF VAHAGNI COMMUNITY 8.1 Brief description of disaster risk 28 8.2 Formulation of DRR issues 30 8.3 Recommended solutions to DRR issues according to priorities 33 3

List of used acronyms

MES – Ministry of Emergency Situations DRR – Disaster Risk Reduction DRA – Disaster Risk Assessment DRM – Disaster Risk Management VCA – Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment ARS – Armenian Rescue Service ES – Emergency situation

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION PROCESS IN KOGHES COMMUNITY OF LORI REGION Disaster risk reduction system is a range of processes and functions aimed at increasing disaster resilience capacities. It focuses on preventing hazards, reducing their possible negative impact as well as contributing to sustainable development of society.

1. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Disaster risk reduction study in Koghes community has been conducted through participatory approach. Disaster risk assessment was conducted by “Lore” Rescue Team. Particularly, it is worth to note the active participation and interest of community population and community main actors during the whole DRR process. Total number participants involved in DRR study participants was 41 people.  Community meeting participants – 10 people, including - Head of community, - Council of elders, - Staff of the community hall - 2, - teacher, - community residents - 5, • focus group in education field - 7, • community residents taken part in survey – 24 people: 46% of respondents were men and 54% were women. According to the age,  26% of respondents were from 18-26 age group,  50% of respondents were from 26-50 age group,  24% of respondents were from 50 and older age group. Comparative analysis of the data collected as a result of VCA was done during a meeting and in cooperation with community. Based on the results, recommendations on how to reduce hazards affecting community have been developed. 1.1. Secondary data Data about Koghes community has been collected from Lori regional municipality, Koghes Community Council, Rescue Service, official webpage of the State Cadastre etc. 1.2. Geographical location and climate of Koghes community Koghes community is located in Lori region, on the bank of Tutkajur river, confluent to Dzoraget river, 52km away from regional center and 17 km to the South East from Stepanavan city. It is located 1310m above the sea level. Climate is cold and temperate. Annual precipitation is comparatively high. Average precipitation is 586mm, and average temperature is 7.90C. During the hottest period, in August, average temperature is 18.30C. In January, average temperature is -3.20C, which is the lowest annual temperature. The administrative area of the community is 1219 ha., including 150 ha of forest area and 831 ha area specifically for agricultural purposes, from which,

• 300 ha are arable land,

• 69 ha are hayfields,

• 305 ha are pastures,

• 7 ha are orchards. 5

1.3. Community population

Data about population number is taken from Cadastre Data Service, where no explanation about the absence of information on population number during 2004 – 2011 is provided.

Data about Koghes community population is available from 1897. The number of population of Koghes community was:  639 in 1897,  401 in 2001,  438 in 1926,  365 in 2004,  684 in 1939,  397 in 2014.  461 in1959,  338 in 1970,  374 in 1979,

Number of community population from 1897 to 2014

Currently the number of population of Koghes community is 393, from which 397 are currently living there.  Number of community households is 130, from which 117 are currently residing in the community.  Male population is 51%.  Young people before 18 years old comprise 27 % of the population, people from 18 – 63 years old comprise 59 % and people older than 63 years comprise 14 % of the population.

 18 % of the population are fully employed, 14 % are pensioners, 9 % are involved in seasonal works and 6% are immigrant workers.  7 % of population have graduate education, 4 % have secondary vocational education and 1 % have secondary education.  There are 8 beneficiary families in need in the community, 12 families with 3 and more children, 2 families that lost their breadwinner, 5 families living in temporary shelters and 1 single mother.

Local self-governance is implemented by the Head of Community and Elderly Council that includes 5 members (5 male members). Staff of the Community hall appointed by the Head of the Community consists of 6 people (2 men and 4 women).

1.4. Hazards affecting Koghes community

No study over hazards affecting the community has been conducted and no data over specific and defined hazards is available.

According to the results of the study, the following natural hazards are affecting Koghes community: freezing , strong winds, hail, lightning, earthquake, drought and mudflow. During recent years, frequency and strength of cases with hail, freezing and strong wind have been increased. Frequent forest fire is also a dangerous hazard affecting the community. Man made emergency situations have minor impact on the community exept of fires, explosions that threatens houses and other types of buildings. Forest fires caused by man inattentively are also affecting community. There are wolfs and jackals that seriously endanger livestock in the community.

1.5. Main buildings Main buildings in the community include clinic, Community hall, Culture house, Post office, school and market.

1.6. Local and National roads Koghes community is logcated on the H-33 – M3 – Stepanavan – Yazdan – Aygehovit highway. The road that connects community with the highway is in the bad condition and needs renovation.

The road that connects community with neighboring Yazdan, Mghart and Karmir Aghegi communities is also in a very bad condition and needs pavement and repairment. Intercommunity roads are umettaled and in a very bad condition and need needs pavement and repairment. 1.7. Transport Transport connection with regional and other communities is implemented by minibuses and private cars. Transport connection with other communities is implemented daily by minibuses. 1.8. Sewage

Community doesn’t have sewage system, there are mainly cesspits. 1.9. Garbage removal No garbage removal is carried out in the community. Some residents use pits outside the community, others burn garbage in pits located inside the community. 1.10. Irrigation There is an irrigation network in the community that covers 30 % of arable lands. Irrigation system is in good condition. 1.11. Water Supply Community water supply is provided through centralized water suplly system from the part of Stepanavan branch of “Hayjrmughkoyughi” CJSC. 100 % of community population is provided with water. Water supply is carried out according to the schedule: 5-6 hour supply every second day. 1.12. Energy Main source of energy demand for population is natural gaz and electricity. As a source of energy, wood and manure are also used. 1.13. Gasification Community is gasified. 41 households do not use natural gas due to financial means and distance from gasified area.

1.14. Bridges There are 4 roadbridges and footbridges in the community, one of which is a connecting link for Alaverdi – Stepanavan highway. All bridges are in an emergency and very bad condition. 1.15. Special services Fire-Rescue Service The region is served by subdivisions of Lori Regional Rescue Department of MES Rescue Service of the Republic of Armenia. The closest Fire-Rescue Service is located in Stepanavan city. Police The community is served by Stepanavan division of Lori Regional department of the Police of the Republic of Armenia. 1.16. Transportation resources According to the information provided by the Head of Community, there are 33 passenger cars, 8 trucks and 37 tractors in the community. 1.17. Employment Community population is mainly involved in agriculture (grains, potatoes), plant- growing (cucumber, onion, cabage), fruit-growing (apple, pear), animal husbandry (193 cattles and 85 other animals), beekeeping (124 bee families), poultry (1022 hens) and swine-breeding (23 pigs). 1.18. Vitally important facilities Education system School Koghes secondary school in Lori region of the Republic of Armenia was established in 1920. Initially, the school was providing 4 year education with 90 pupils. In 1932 it started providing 7 year education. Due to the lack of study rooms, classes have been conducted in rooms of the houses of community residents provided by them as well as in teacher’s house provided for teachers. In 1953 - 1954 about 198 pupils were studying in the school. In 1964, standard two-store building of the school was constructed. Since that time, eight year education has been set up. After an earthquake, in 1988 the school was fully repaired. In 2002 with the support of the Armenian Investment Fund the school was rebuilt. From the part of the community, investment was provided by “Vardanants Knights and Daughters” organization. Currently, the school is in a good condition and repaired. It has 22 people staff and 23 pupils.

Health system There is a Clinic in the community, which was built by Germans. The building of the Clinic is currently in a good condition. 1 doctor and 1 nurse are working in the Clinic. It is equipped and provided with medicine and necessary first aid supplies.

Culture There is a Culture House in community which building is in a good condition.

Historical monuments There are quadrilateral obelisk (6th century), cemetery with cross stones (XII-XIII centuries), bridge (XIII century), a monument constructed by Prince Tutik (1241).

Means of communication There are landline and mobile communication, internet and post office in the community. Information sources Among available information sources are public and satellite TV, public radio, internet and press. 2 Mapping

The aim of the mapping is to identify and inform public on hazards and risky areas, as well as on community vulnerabilities and capacities, marking them in community maps.

The aim of the mapping is to make visible all risky areas, particularly highlighting those that are hidden or left without proper attention. The study included schematic and visual notes, photos of risky and vulnerable areas. Collected data was on the map downloaded from internet, as community didn’t have appropriate working maps.

Hazard, Vulnerability and Capacity Map of Koghes community of Lori region of the Republlic of Armenia

2 2

1 1

1 2 2 3 4 7 4 5 6

-capacity, - vulnerability

- hail, - strong wind, - freezing, - drought 11 1. - Warehouses, 2. - Bridge, 3. – Post office, 4. - Clinic, 5. – House of culture, 6. – Community hall, 7.- Market, 8. - School

After mapping, the first meeting with community residents and different experts has been organized. Overall, 10 people have participated on that event. Several tools that were presented, discussed and filled in, are presented below.

3. Seasonal Calendar Seasonal Calendar allows to highlight hazards affecting the community and assess frequency of risks from the point of view of community population. It allows to describe changes in community over a year, dangerous impacts, impacts related to climate change, changes in socio-economic area, periods of desease’s outbreaks etc. Seasonal Calendar was filled in together with the community, and the results are presented below:

Seasonality

July

May June

April

March

January

February

ptember

August

October

December November Events Se

Social economic

High income x x x x Low income X x Immigration x Labor migration x x Homecoming x x Harvest x x x Outage X x x

Cattle slaughter x Seeding x x x Health Influenza epidemic x x Intestinal infections x x Hazards Strong wind x x

Freezing x x Mudflow x x Hail x x Drought x x

Autumn is comparatively favorable for socio – economic development of the community. High income during this period is explained by homecoming of seasonal workers, selling of crops and incomes from cattle slaughter. Freezing, strong winds and hails that threaten agriculture and cause communication and electricity outage, damages to roofs and windows occur mainly in spring- summer period. Within the list of potential risks, earthquake is the most dangerous one that have its negative impact on both economic and social life. Earthquake may cause collapse of the buildings in the community. There are partial employment opportunities in winter period, around 3 months (December - February). During this period, people involved in animal husbandry only. There are periods of exacerbation of different deseases in Health area. Respiratory diseases are exacerbated usually in spring. Intestinal infections occurred in summer period are usually consequences of violation of sanitary hygienic rules. However, problems with water supply can also become a cause for intestinal infections. Spring-autumn period is full with agricultural works typical for the community. Hazards occurred during this period (strong winds, hail, mudflow, and drought) endanger and cause serious losses in agricultural area. Particularly, frequently and intensively stroke hails in recent years as a result of climate change become a cause of partial or full lost of harvest. The negative impact of hail is also a result of absence of anti-hail stations. Negative impacts of freezing are closely connected with imperfection of forecasting and warning mechanisms, as a result of which, population is unable to organize preventive measures against freezing in time.

4. Historical Calendar Historical calendar allows highlighting those specific events and cases that have their impact on development of community life. It allows to identify causes and consequences of events that have had an impact on development of the community and understand community development trends. Historical Calendar was filled in together with community residents.

Disasters

/ /

Land

Forests

/ /

hree

Period Population House/ Buildings T Cattle Infrastructures Hazards

1970       ------

1970-      80   fires, hails ------

-- 1980-       90    earthquake, ------hail -- -- 1990-       20   road, Drought, fires, 00 ------gasification hail, river ---- become

dry

2000-       20   ------ Beasts, fire, hail 10 Community 20 ha road, Emission hall, gasification of strong Renovation of toxic Culture house substances (mines)

Koghes community has been developing during 1990s in almost all spheres. After the collapse of the Soviet Union community has faced with many problems. While from 1990 to 2000 the number of buildings and forest areas has decreased, the number of infrastructures and disasters has increased. During 2000-2010 there was development in almost all spheres in community. Positove changes are presented in the historical outline below which is a description of events that have had a significant impact on development of the community and its memory.

Year Description

Renovation of Culture house /World Vision/

Building playgrounds / World Vision/

2000-2014 Assistance to families in need / World Vision/

School renovation /Armenian Social Investment Fund/

Renovation of the drinking water local network / Save the Children/

While comparing the outline and Historical Calendar, it becomes obvious that:  The collapse of the Soviet Union and socio-economic crisis has become a cause of immigration. Despite immigration, there are still some human resources in the community which is a strong capacity for community development,  Development of agriculture is an important factor for development of the community,  Main changes in the community are connected with repairment of structures and infrastructures, that creates positive basis for development and prosperity of the community. Related to hazards that threatens the community, it can be proved that the following disasters have permanently treatened community: freezing, strong winds, hail, earthquake, drought and mudflow. As negative phenomena, it is worth to note an increased intensity and frequency of dangerous hydrometeorological events (hail, strong winds, drought, etc.) as a result of climate change. Hail and freezing have frequently occurred and there is an increased tendency of strong winds. 5. Discussions in focus groups Focus groups have been set up with the assistance of the Head of community and main actors. Representatives from educational area of the community have been also involved in focus groups. Data obtained from focus groups have been classified into three main areas: vulnerability, hazards and capacities.

Vulnerability

Educational area Educational system of the community involves areas of preschool education and secondary education.

Two-floor building of the school was renovated in 2002 by the Armenian Investment Fund and currently has problems with deficiency of sport hall equipment, equipments of physics and chemistry laboratories, means of fire protection systems, first aid equipment, absence of means of disaster protection as well as with deficiency in number of pupils.

Hazard Educational area The hazard that cause the issue of the most concern for this area is building conditions. A treat of collapse due to human factor or as a consequence of earthquake is directly connected with physical condition of the building. Frequently occurred strong winds cause damages to windows and roofs.

Deficiency of skills and knowledge in disaster resilience and response treatens life and

health of children and adults.

Capacity

Education area Willingness to support the processes and issues related to educational area from the part of community residents, local government and school staff.

During discussions in focus groups the issues identified as a conclusion by participants directly affect community livelihood and development and in case of solving these issues fully or partially the community would have positive outcome: poverty reduction, increased living standards of population, increased birth rate and low immigration. All these would contribute to the development and prosperity of the community. 6. Semistructured interviews Taking into account that interviews require specific knowledge and experience, semistructures interviews have been conducted with the Head of communty and members of the Community Council in Koghes community. All received data fro interviews was classified in the folowing directions. 6.1. Phenomena that threaten the community According to the data provided by the Head of the community, among man-made hazards that threaten the community is fire. Forest fire also poses a threat to the community. However, the following phenomena are frequently occurred in the community:  Hail, that poses a threat to the whole community area as well as the absence of anti-hail stations causes serious damages to agriculture,  Strong winds, that poses threat to roofs of buildings, electric and communication systems and sown areas,  Mudflow, which as a result of the absence of mudflow channels poses a threat to roads and gardens.

6.2. Emergency situations occurred in community in recent year and their consequences According to the official data, the folowing phenomena have been registered and caused damage to the community:

YEAR EMERGENCY SITUATION NEGATIVE IMPACT

1988 Earthquake Whole community was damaged.

2000 Drought Agricultural lands were damaged.

2009 Hail Agricultural lands were damaged.

6.3. Capacity of the community toward resilience and response to emergency situations The following capacities existing in the community have been identified during interviews:

 landline and mobile communication,  rapid response groups. 16

Some buildings, Clinic, human resources and some vehicles have been also noted as a resilience capacity against emergency situations. 6.4. DRR related events organized in the community Local government and community residents have participated in the trainings organized by the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

7. Mass survey among residents using questionnaires 24 residents of the community have taken part in a survey, as a result of which the following data have been obtained:  Knowledge on hazards affecting community  Knowledge on vulnerable elements and capacities of the community  Main actors in the field of DRR  Resilience toward emergency situations and readiness to response  Residents’ readiness to contribute to DRR event planning and implementing process  About interest adnd participation in DRR events. Data collected from survey was classified and is presented below:

7.1. Main hazardous phenomena threatening community As a man made disaster, fire, car accidents households accidents have been identified by residents. Separately, forest fire and hayfields fire, that could turn into environmental emergency situations, have been mentioned (dispappearence of some types of plants and animals, reduction of land yealding capacity, erosion etc). Appearance of forest fires is explained as a consequence of human deliberate or unattentive behavior. Other phenomena that pose threat to the community is shown in a graph below.

Strong wind Freezing

Hail

Drought

Mudflow

Earthquake

Data on natural hazardous phenomena received from residents.

Among natual phenomena freezing, strong winds, hail, earthquake, drought and mudflow have been mostly stressed. Data gathered from the survey was classified by priority and results are presented below.

PHENOMENA JUSTIFICATION

Early spring freezing is frequently happening in recent years. It causes damage 1 Freezing mainly to sown areas and roads.

Strong winds pose threat to the roofs of houses, electric and communication 2 Strong winds system and sown areas.

Hail causes big damages to sown areas and electric and communication systems. 3 Hail It is worth to note that hail damages also roofs of buildings and windows.

Earthquake is an unpredictable phenomenon that threatens all areas of the 4 Earthquake Republic of Armenia. It could be also a cause of secondary phenomena and emergency situations /explosion, fire/.

Drought begins when no raining falls during growing of plants or rainfall is less than 200 millimeter. Thus, it is a precondition for drought when during a period Drought 5 of an intensive irrigation of plants in spring there is scarcity of water and no artificial irrigation is carried out.

In the region, mudflow streams appear as a result of abundant rainfall, which 6 Mudflow sometime become cause of emergency situations. Those streams damage sown areas, national and local roads.

Forest fires have been also mentioned among hazardous phenomena that pose threat to community. 7.2. Sesonality of hazardous phenomena

Earthquake

Strong winds

Drought

Freezing

Hail

Mudflow

winter spring summer autumn Cannot be surely said 18 Data on seasonality of hazardous phenomena gathered from community residents

Study of seasonality identifies different periods and relevant hazardous phenomena that pose threat to the community, which allows with refenrece to the past to identify changes and tendencies occured with phenomena. Study of hydrometeorological data shows that there is 0.850C increase in average temperature and 6-8% decrfease in precipitation during the last 80 years in Armenia. Changes in temperature and precipitation have different trends during different seasons in relevat regions of the Republic of Armenia. Study of seasonality shows that from the point of view of comunity residents, spring-autumn is the most dangerous period. Phenomena occured during this period, freezing, strong winds, hail, drought pose threat to agriculture which is the main source of income.

7.3. Frequency of hazardous phenomena Study on hazardous phenomena shows that the number and intensity of hazardous phenomena has increased and the tendency to increase is remained. According to the State Hydrometeorological and Monitoring Service, total number of cases with dengerous phenomena has increased with 1.2 during the last 30 years and with 1.8 cases during the last 20 years. Data collected from community residents over frequency of hazards is presented in the graph below:

Earthquake

Strong wind

Drought

Freezing

Hail

Mudflow

Once every six months Once a year Less than once every Once every two-three year Once every five year twenty year

Data collected from community residents over frequency of hazardous natural phenomena

Duscussions and interviews clearly shows that most people consider more dangerous and pay more attention to those natural phenomena that cause or may cause financial losses. People have particularly noted small scale hazards (drought, mudflow) and their increased frequency. Information about such cases and caused damages are not reported, so they are not registered in official statistical data. 7.4. Losses incurred by population as a result of emergency situations in the community 79% of respondents have suffered losses as a result of small scale hazards and emergency situations in the community. As a result, agricultural sector (79%) has mainly damaged, suffered losses are mainly material which brought to deterioration of social condition.

According to community residents, Crops were damaged mechanisms of information and projections’ (agrohydrological or hydrological – flood, Roof was damaged mudflow) preparation and dissemination are either incomplete or do exist. It becomes clear during interviews, that early warning system Fruit trees were damaged on community level does not mainly exist. 7.5. Combination of hazards and vulnerability Every hazard has its specific kind of vunerrability that are typical for every single area, thus, they are also different depending on states, regions, communities or individuals. Causes of vulnerability are consequences of physical, economic, social and political-institutional weaknesses. The graph below shows, which hazardous phenomena specific to community may pose threat to vitally important facilities, infrastructure, dwellings and agricultural facilities according to residents opinion.

Water supply system

Bridges

Schools

Electric-communication system

Community roads

Intercommunity roads

Sown areas

Residential houses

drought freezing mudflow strong winds earthquake hail

20Data collected from residents on treatening hazards that affect community vulnerable elements

all school

disabled elderly bridges

Data collected from the community residents on Data collected from the community residents on community vulnerable groups community vulnerable buildings

Almost all interviewees have noted bridges as the most vulnerable to emergency situations due to their emergency conditions and the need to be renovated. Vulnerability of other buildings is shown in the graph. The school is considered vulnerable as it concentrates large number of people inside. The following graph shows the group of people most vulnerable to emergency situations. The most vulnerable group of people is an elder group.

There was special notes that the level of vulnerability of all groups included in the graph would either decrease or increase depending on the change in their health condition and the level of awareness. According to residents, man and woman are equally vulnerable toward disasters. Access to various services was also studied. Most respondents noted, that below mentioned services are available to community population, equally to man and woman.

Police

Social

Educational

Health

Fire-rescue

available Difficult to access not available Don’t know

Data collected from community residents on assess to community services

7.6 Knowledge of community residents about disaster resilience The most vitally important factor in protecting community is a local capacity to disaster resilience and response which is reflected by existing response tools and mechanisms in place, by technical means and the level of population preparedness. Community is faced with disasters at first. Capacity of the community to face with and to respond to similar situations depends on the level of knowledge and skills of local authorities and community residents. Lack of knowledge and skills among residents has significant impact on the level of vulnerability of the communty. To define the level of disater resilience and response, self- assessment among community residents on disaster preparedness was conducted.

media

public radio

internet

satellite TV

public TV

Data collected from community residents on information sources During the interview, it becomes clear that there is a lack of knowledge among community residents and local authorities in applying and using existeing capacities available in the community. Preparation starts from information and the ways and possiblities of its provision. It is worth to note that among the main sources of information provision, public TV is avaialable to community. Availability of information sources is shown in the graph: Large part of the respondents have noted that they use several sources of information at once. The main sources of receiving information are following: public and sattelite TV and internet. The main source of information is public TV. Interestingly, internet as an information source has become more available. Local level of disaster preparedness depends on aware people’s ability to prepare and withstand with disasters. 79% of respondents have never partially participated in disaster preparedness trainings. aware Clear self-assessment picture of knowledge do not aware and skills over practice in emergency situations and Data collected from community residents on emergency first aid is shown in the graph, according to which situations and first aid. only 21% of respondents have knowledge and skils over practice in emergency situations and first aid. It could be considered as a capacity, which will contribute to the reduction of the level of vulnerability in emergency situations. The opinion of the resondents over community residents’ and local authorities’ withstanding and readiness to respond to emergency situations is shown in the graph below:

Yes Yes Yes Partially Partially Partially No No No NDon’t NDon’t NDon’t know know know

Do you think local authorities are ready to Do you think community residents Are you ready to respond respond to emergency situations? are ready to respond to emergency to emergency situations? situations?

The study on residents’ knowledge over active stakeholders in the field of response to emergency Community situations identified that respondents mainly residents consider local authorities and rescue service participation in the fields of disaster reponse and Volunteers elimination of consequences. participated in

trainings Obtained results over main actors in in case of

In your opinion, who can provide substantial help disasters are explained by two circumstances: by immediately after disaster before arrival of rescue forces? economic losses, damages caused by emergency

situations occurred in recent years and the leresidents vel of response from the part of stakeholders and which organization community residents suppose to receive support from. Experience shows that disaster resilience and the issue of readiness to respond to emergency situations are explained by residents willingness to be voluntarily involved in different disaster preparedness, prevention and respond projects. Such projects incorporate actions so that whole communty will benefit from. Generally, 87% of respondents expressed their readinees to voluntary participate in disaster preparedness and prevention activities.

Local People’s level of preparedness to authorities withstand with disasters contribute to increasing the level of community preparedness which may Rescue service reduce the impact of disasters and minimize losses. The graph below shows about which Health system disasters or emergency situations and other related issues respondents would like to have information.

In your opinion, which organizations can play substantial role during disaster? 23

skills

Rescue All Firstaid Flood

Behavior

Earthquake

About what emergency situations or disasters you would What information realated to disasters or emergency situations like to be informed? you would like to know?

Above mentioned statements make it clear that commnunitiea play vitally important role in disaster preparedness and reduction of its consequences. Disaster preparedness and prevention involve several actions before, during and after disaster. Expressed voluntary willingness by residents is an advantage which has to be taken into consideration and used. Respondents expressed their readiness to participate in disaster related preparedness, prevention and response activities voluntary. The graph below shows responses over participation on activities before or after emergency situation made by repondents.

Carry out social activity in case of disaster

Rescue those in danger

Help to save property

Provide victims with shelter and food

Provide first aid

Inform others about hazard

Participate in public awareness activities

Data collected from community residents over participation in actions before or after disaster.

It can be summarized, that psychological preparedness of community residents allows them to withstand with and respond to emergency situations. Summing ap results, it becomes clear that people realize that involvement in preparedness and prevention activities will reduce the impact of disaster which directly affect the process of sustainable development of the community. Obviously, every community has human and technical resources so that such issues like enhancing behaviour skills, cleaning river banks, or river pollution or awareness raising can be easily tackled by their own resources. The whole community would benefit from such activities. This is an important fact that brings to the conclusion that the best way to withstand with hazards is to have resilient community.

Issues identified by the community residents, their causes and possible solutions according to vulnerability reduction and enhancing capacities

Type of hazard and main Vulnerable elements Negative consequences Recommended solution/ proposals as a result of VCA Expected results description

Natural disasters

Hail

In average, it strikes once annually. Roofs of the buildings, Damages buildings windows and It heavily affects mainly agricultural sown areas, windows, roofs. Brings significant material Anti-hail stations, development and deployment of early Protection of crops, sector. cars. losses. warning and forecasting systems. improvement of economic situation.

Earthquake

Earthquake is unpredictable. Can Destructions of houses, Avoiding possible be a cause of other phenomena buildings, material and human losses, reduction. Residential and other Public education, seismic risk assessment, Earthquake (lanslide) or emergency situations losses, emerging of secondary buildings engineering. (explosion, fire) typical to the disasters. community. No study on the current stage of community buildings.

Drought

Drought seriously damages sown areas. One of the preconditions of drought is when during a period of an intensive irrigation of plants Decline of yield capacity, lost of Deployment of new technologies (drip irrigation) Avoiding possible crops and, therefore material ensuring reliable climate information. losses, reduction. in spring there is scarcity of water Sown areas and no artificial irrigation is losses. carried out.

Lightning

This is phenomena that occurred As a result, lightning damages usually in spring and pose a threat buildings, sometimes it poses Avoiding material Buildings Installation of lightenning arresters in risky areas. to community population. threat to people. losses

Man – made disasters

Explosions, fires Residential houses, Material and human losses Training on safety rules, protection. Public Avoiding possible buildings awareness, education. losses. Applying new technologies and crops. Ensuring Protection of provision of information on climate change. Public ecosystem, population Forest, hayfields Plants destruction, extinction, awareness. Installation of information boards. health and livelihood. decline of soil fertility, erosion. Fires in forests and hayfields areas

Other hazards Wild beasts Cattle, dogs Material and human losses. First aid education, awareness and training on Avoiding possible behavior skills. losses, reduction Water shortage Small rivers, cattle Obstacle for the implementation Reconstruction of irrigation system, installation of Avoiding possible losses breeding of agricultural activities. pumps. Emission of strong toxic Protection of substances ecosystem, population Ecosystem Pollution of ecosystem Training on safety rules, protection. Public health and livelihood. awareness, education.

8. DRR ISSUES AND THEIR PRIORITISED SOLUTIONS THAT ENSURE RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT OF KOGHES COMMUNITY

8.1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DISASTER RISK

VULNERABLE ELEMENTS NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES CAPACITY OF COMMUNITY

NATURAL DISASTERS

Hail  Fixed and mobile communication, In average, it strikes once annually. Granules have diameter of 3 Roofs of the buildings, sown areas, gardens. Damages to crops, sown areas, breaking windows  Internet, sm. It heavily affects mainly agricultural sector. and roofs, brings to considerable material  Accessibility to information losses. sources,  Human resource, Earthquake  Community hall, Earthquake is unpredictable. Can be a cause of other Destruction of houses, buildings, human and  School,  Clinic, phenomena (lanslide) or emergency situations material losses, emerging of secondary Buildings, people.  Some agricultural vehicles (explosion, fire) typical to the community. disasters.  Transportation means - 33 vehicles, - 8 trucks, - 37 tractors:  Sown areas, gardens  Cattle, pigs, poultry, bee Drought families,  River, Increased temperature and decreased precipitation in summer have Agriculture, cattle breeding, natural Decline in yield capacity, lost of crop and, as a  Natural sources, been registered in recent years. Drought causes serious damages sources, beekeeping. result, material losses.  Forests, to sown areas. It is among precondition of drought, when  Bridges, during a period of an intensive irrigation of plants in spring  Markets, there is limited rainfall and no artificial irrigation is carried  Favorable climatic out. conditions,

Thunder / lightning  Human resource,  Existence of drinking water Thunder and lightning have been always observed in the Elevtric equipment, people, cattle. Damages to electric equipments, threat to human network. community. Lightning is a serious threat for the health and life, lost of cattle. Բ community.

Man -made Explosions Material and human losses.

Fires Residential houses, buildings, schools, Destruction of animals and plants.

mines. Collapses

Forests, hayfields, animals, plants. Animal and plant destruction, extinction,

Soil fertility decline, Fires in forests and hayfields Damage to environment. Other hazards Wild beasts Cattle, dogs. Human and material losses.

Scarcity of water Brooks, cattle breeding Becomes an obstacle for carrying out agricultural activities.

Emission of strong toxic substances Ecosystem Pollution of ecosystem.

8.2 FORMULATION OF DRR ISSUES

FORMULATION OF ISSUES THAT IMPACT OF AREA DEVELOPMENT ON DRR IMPACT ON AREA DEVELOPMENT AREA ENSURE DISASTER RESILIENT EXISTING RISKS DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT

Renovation and improvement of relevant Implementation of DRR events will To limit possible damages to education buildings will considerably reduce existing considerably ease the issue of education system caused by disasters (strong winds, risks. development, because resources that earthquake, fire) through reviewing and have been concentrated toward strengthening disaster resilience capacities Upgrading with relevant tools, equipments elimination of consequences of of education system. and literature will support the process of different types of disasters through organization of qualified education, years, will be focused on improvement availability of DRR information for staff and of education system that will ensure pupils, will enhance protection and disaster continuation of education in the resilience level. community. Reforms and development of education area Expertised examination of seismic will reduce possibility of migration and EDUCATION resistance of educational institutions contribute to economic growth and poverty will allow to organize reconstruction reduction. and renovation works in a best way, their further maintanance, operation and continuous renovation. As a result of incorporating DRR education into the education system disaster resilience skills of staff and pupils will be enhanced which will reduce human losses and health threatening risks.

Improvement of health system of region and Events related to prevention and Establish clinic, ensure some improvements community, improvement of buildings and reduction of risks posing threats to in infrastructures and services, ensure that HEALTH offices of clinics, timely prevention of community, increasing knowledge of people have gained knowledge and skills epidemics, running anti-epidemic campaigns, population in disaster preparedness related to disaster and epidemic 30 public awareness raising will substantially and epidemic resilience issues, preparedness in order to minimize threats to

reduce disaster and epidemic related risks improvements in infrastructure of human health and life. posing threat to people’s health. public services will ensure security of population and promote improvements of public health and life protection.

Consistent implementation of environment Organization of public services in Environment protection, minimizing caused related events, improvements of energy community in a proper way and damages, improvement of environment system, prevention of human further harmful improvement of energy system, conditions provide exploitation of some activities will minimize risks particularly effective organization of agriculture infrastructures and improvement of ecological risks from various phenomena that and mining industry, increasing the services, dissemination of public knowledge ENVIRONMENT pose threat to environment. level of public knowledge in on environment, protection of enlargement agriculture, health and environment, of green areas.

enlarging green areas will promote improvements of environment on regional and community levels.

Applying modern methods in agriculture, Mitigation and prevention activities to Organize prevention events for some setting food processing, green house and reduce hail, drought and freezing risks, infrastructures, particularly related to refrigeration industries, acquisition of implementation of adaptation projects irrigation system, improvement of local and agricultural machinery, and repairment of and applying new technologies and other secondary roads, campaigns against old ones, improvement of wells network seeds as well as planned events related wolfs and rodents, develop and implement system, applying new technologies, crop to actions over soil protection and climate change adaptation projects, and crop rotation, control of quality of seeds, against erosion, implementation of including adoption of new crops, organize AGRICULTURE pesticides and fertilizers, planned utilization events related to development of cattle public trainings on the issues related to will ensure increasing of soil fertility, and at breeding will create favorable agriculture, particularly related to setting up the same time minimize desertification and conditions for development of the area. a culture of applying new technologies with erosion of soil. Meanwhile, intensive the aim to minimize damages causes by utilization of soil within the context of threatening risks to agricultural sector. existing condition of irrigation system and not effective utilization of pastures will increase a threat of soil erosion.

Complex study of emergency condition of Implementation of DRR activities will To minimize possible damages to HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, URBAN houses, buildings and working conditions of promote preservation of durability of community houses, buildings, CONSTRUCTION, INFRASTRUCTURE infrastructures, their timely reconstruction buildings and infrastructures, will infrastructures from threatening risks by

and preservation, consideration of risky reduce tempo of increasing emergency reviewing and strengthening disaster factors before providing lands for conditions, will allow saving means resilience capacities of community, construction and finally, strictly following all allocated for elimination of renovating and reconstructing construction norms during a construction consequences and focus them toward infrastructures and buildings. will reduce existing threatening risks and implementation of preventive and prevent formation of new ones. mitigation projects.

Setting up new employment opportunities, Disaster risk reduction is one of Provide effectiveness of main ecenomic improvement of economic and social prerequisites for sustainable areas of community, ensuring effective condition, providing employment and developmentthat will have positive operation of infrastructures and systems, entertainment will lead to combination of impact on development of all areas of organization of anti-hail system and EMPLOYMENT AND LIVELIHOOD personal and community interest aimed at economy creating new employment irrigation, implementation of measures ensuring sustainable development of opportunities and welfare. against rodents and wolves, planning and community taking into consideration threats implementation of long-term adaptation and risks. projects.

Development of water supply and sewage Establishment of sewage, drainage Ensure quality of drinking water and its systems, control of quality of drinking water systems, water treatment systems will permanent supply, resolve the issues of will promote the issue of sustainability of reduce risks of outbreak of epidemies. sewage, wastewater and rain water healthy life. Meantime, it will prevent Public education and awareness will treatment and disposal. Improve irrigation WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION penetration of wastewater and rainwater to reduce outbreak of epidemies, threats and well systems. residential and other agricultural areas. to human health. Improvement of irrigation and wells will As a result of effective management of prevent water scarcity. irrigation system threat of drought will be reduced.

Every community resident, being a part of Setting up DRR regional and Carry out measures to involve DRR the process of community management will community teams, proposing DRR management in operational processes of considerably strengthen implementation of participatory management mechanisms community self-governance, take into activities toward ensuring community in community will promote consideration risks threatening LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT, security and development, considering DRR democratization of local self – community, risks restraining DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY as an important factor for development. government, ensuring community community development and the ways population participatioin in decision to reduce them. making and implementation processes.

8.3 RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS TO DRR ISSUES ACCORDING TO PRIORITIES PRIORITIES INTEGRATION INTO FOUR YEAR AREA OF DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS Implementation SOURCE OF FUNDING Priority indicator period DEVEOPMENT PROJECTS Expertised examination of seismic resistance and 3 location of educational institutions

EDUCATION Replenishment of school sport hall equipment. 1 Replenishment of First aid equipment. 2

Community public education and awareness in DRR 4 (first aid, rescue norms etc.).

Organization of sanitary-hygienic events and 3 community awareness raising in sanitary-hygienic HEALTH norms.

Paving with asphalt and improvement of local 2

intercommunity roads.

Implementation of garbage removal. 1

Organization of environmental trainings. 3 Organization of sanitary-hygienic events and 2 community awareness raising in sanitary-hygienic ENVIRONMENT norms.

Implementation of garbage removal. 1

Setting up anti-hail stations. 1 Establishment of early warning and forecasting 2

systems. AGRICULTURE Implantation of new plants 4 Public education and awareness in agricultural 3

issues.

Expertise examination of seismic resistance of 6

community buildings. Strengthening of community buildings from seismic 5

security point of view.

Improvement of local intercommunity roads. HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, Paving with asphalt and improvement of local 4 URBAN CONSTRUCTION, INFRASTRUCTURES intercommunity roads.

Acquisition of Culture house equipment. 3

Renovation of bridges. 1 Implementation of garbage removal. 2

Setting up anti-hail equipments 2

Bringing new crops 6 EMPLOYMENT AND Establishment of early warning and forecasting 7

LIVELIHOOD systems.

Paving with asphalt and improvement roads. 5

Implementation of garbage removal. 1

Renovation of bridges 4 Paving with asphalt and improvement of local 3 intracommunity roads.

Improvements of intercommunity roads and 3 illumination.

Implementation of garbage removal. 1 WATER SUPPLY AND Organization of sanitary-hygienic events and 2 SANITATION community awareness raising in sanitary-hygienic norms.

Setting up Community DRR Certificate and its

approval. LOCAL SELF- Development and implementation of community GOVERNMENT, development/ annual plans. DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY Implementation of community DRR mini-projects. Annual monitoring and assessment of Disaster

management functions.