Community trainings and consultation
UNEP
Support provincial and national level advocacy on Eco-DRR
This component aimed to promote ecosystem based measures and disaster risk reduction in Afghanistan where such work is budding only nationally. The project therefore identified entry points such as climate change adaptation work and promoted the overall concept of disaster risk reduction in the country with ecosystem-based measures as an integral component of DRR.
Through its field interventions and multiple local, provincial and national-level trainings and workshops, the project sparked national dialogue on the effectiveness of ecosystem-based measures to achieve sustainable and disaster-resilient development. The project was timely because it provided a tangible experience of Eco-DRR in Afghanistan, which helped inform national policy dialogue leading up to the adoption of the new global framework on DRR.
The project has influenced national policy and programmes by promoting Eco-DRR as an integral component of DRR in humanitarian and disaster management activities, as well as by integrating EcoDRR in climate change adaptation activities. However high turnover of staff in government positions has been a limiting factor in efforts to build capacity and support policy advocacy on Eco-DRR. For instance, UNEP’s efforts to promote Eco-DRR in the 5-year Provincial Plan of Bamyan were undermined by a change in Provincial Governor and multiple temporary assignments to this position, which resulted in long delays in the development of the Provincial Plan. However, the national trainings and conferences ensure that capacity is built within technical government staff.