National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy of Georgia 2017-2020 and its Action Plan

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy of Georgia and its Action Plan is a national cross-sectoral strategic document of Georgia for the period of 2017-2020. Its main objective is to prevent natural and man-made disaster risks identified in the “National Threat Assessment Document (2015-2018)”, reduce their potential consequences, and ensure constant preparedness and coordination of response activities. At the same time, implementation of the activities defined within the document will ensure fulfillment of obligations undertaken by Georgia in this area and promote sustainable development of the country.
The priority of the document is to establish an integral, flexible and efficient crisis management system which, through joint and coordinated efforts of institutions defined in the Georgian legislation, will ensure identification, assessment, prevention, and management of natural and man-made disasters and the fastest elimination or minimization of their negative consequences. Other priorities of the document include establishment of a disaster risk reduction system at national and local levels; development/implementation of methodology/approach for post-disaster damages and recovery needs assessment and calculation of economic losses; integration of early warning and alarm systems into the national disaster risk reduction system; international cooperation in the area of disaster risk reduction; enhancement of role of media within the disaster risk reduction system; enhancement of cooperation with academic and scientific community; implementation of disaster risk reduction model into the education system; enhancement of the role of private sector within the disaster risk reduction system; development of geospatial data infrastructure for the disaster risk reduction; promoting gender equality in the disaster risk reduction policy; and increasing the role of persons with disabilities within the disaster risk reduction policy. The Strategy and Action Plan covers a wide spectrum of disaster types, including floods and flashfloods; gravitational processes, landslides and mudflows; biological hazards; earthquakes; hails; avalanches; strong winds; forest and valley fires; chemical threat; water erosion; droughts; and hydrodynamic accidents.
The implementation of the Strategy and the Action Plan will be monitored and the documents will be periodically revised (updated) based on the results of regular studies and assessments of the situation, new hazards, risks and challenges. During this process, it is important to develop new disaster risk reduction activities taking into account innovative approaches in the world and implement the best practices.