Kyrgyzstan – National experts and academic authorities from Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan convened for a five-day study tour to exchange experiences and best practice on ecosystem based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR).
As floods, droughts, and other extreme events become ever more common, policy-makers and practitioners are increasingly turning to natural solutions.
“Ecosystems can provide multiple benefits for reducing disaster risk,” said Andrew Scanlon, UNEP Country Programme Manager in Afghanistan. “However, to capture these benefits we need to support policy-makers and practitioners put Eco-DRR approaches into practice,” he added.
This study tour with representatives from Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan provided a unique opportunity to do exactly that and share experiences across countries with similar landscapes and ecosystems.
Over the course of the study tour participants examined local ecosystems, project sites, and reviewed the latest technology in geospatial mapping. Site visits showing land management, engineering, ecology, and Eco-DRR approaches were also arranged. Kyrgyzstan is home to a number of national parks and conservation areas including the Naryn and the Issyk-Kul areas where ecosystems and ecological activities are being linked with public works and development schemes.
“Understanding the principles of ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction is one important factor for reducing disaster risk”, said Tunzhurberk Kudabaev, National Programme Officer for Basic Infrastructure with the Embassy of Switzerland in the Kyrgyz Republic. “However this must be coupled with advocacy efforts that secure political buy-in for implementing such approaches in the region.”
In these three countries, Eco-DRR remains a nascent concept. The study tour sought to capitalize on this growing field by improving understanding, acquiring lessons learned and connecting regional experts to existing networks in the country. Along side technical excursions, exchange networks were established with university, government, NGOs and community groups.
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