Actions taken:
Introduction:
This document is about disaster management that integrates comprehensive principles and actionable commitments tailored to address the multifaceted challenges posed by disasters. This pledge embodies several key characteristics to ensure its effectiveness and relevance across various contexts. No single organization or Government structure can cope with a large-scale disaster. It is vitally important to work together with the National Authorities, Emergency Management Service of Georgia and fulfil the Georgia Red Cross Society Auxiliary role. GRCS works to establish a wide network of trained and equipped volunteers country-wide and to increase their capacity at central and community levels. It is important to ensure high safety and a sense of responsibility for the involved staff and volunteers during emergencies.
During emergencies, coordination plays a very important role. GRCS as an auxiliary to the National Authorities and according to the Civil Safety National Plan (Decree 508), ensures the coordination and organization of an increased number of the Non-State Actors and their activities in times of the Natural and Man-made Disasters.
This document combines proactive Risk Reduction strategies, inclusivity, international cooperation, sustainability, innovation, and community engagement. It serves as a comprehensive framework for stakeholders to commit to coordinated actions that mitigate risks, protect lives, and build resilient societies capable of thriving in the face of adversity.
Objectives of the pledge:
Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) through advocacy, an adaptation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy supported by the Action Plan and support the allocation of resources from the State/donor budgets.
Action plan:
– Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and its Action Plan to build community resilience.
– Integration and promotion of the gender and disability-base considerations in the National Disaster Risk Reduction Action Plan;
– Mainstream and integrate disaster risk reduction within and across all sectors and promote coherent and further development on national and local levels;
– Awareness raising of public and local authorities on disaster risk reduction;
– Development and strengthening of institutions, mechanisms, and capacities for building resilience;
– Strengthen the cooperation with and support disaster risk reduction programs/projects conducted by international and non-governmental organizations.
Actions taken:
Application of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the National Disaster Risk Reduction Plan and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2015–2030 As part of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Plan, the National Society actively participates in putting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework into practice. The following actions Emergency Management Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the Georgia Red Cross Society aid in the execution of the frameworks:
seminars for educating community and central decision-makers on the Sendai Framework and how to implement it.
– The Ministry of Education was introduced to Family Emergency Plans by the Georgia Red Cross Society. More than 20,000 schoolchildren received non-formal education from the National Society thanks to the assistance of the Ministry of Education’s local Resource Centers.
– To improve local Disaster Risk Reduction, collaborative mitigation initiatives have been developed and put into practice at the municipal level.
– In 15 villages, the Georgia Red Cross Society conducted and subsequently updated Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments (VCA) using a participatory approach in collaboration with residents, local authorities, local Non-State Actors, staff, and volunteers. Local authorities can effectively advocate for the inclusion of risk management and related solutions in regional resilience plans by using VCAs.
– For the DRR focal points of the pertinent ministries and agencies involved in disaster risk management, EMS held two informative lectures on disaster risk reduction.
the strategy and accompanying action plan to strengthen community resilience;
– Along with the residents of the surrounding community and other important stakeholders, community action plans have been developed and updated. The primary decision-makers within the communities have been presented to the plans.
– The Georgia Red Cross Society conducted three simulation exercises focused on various disaster scenarios. These exercises involved approximately 200 volunteers and aimed to enhance disaster preparedness and response capacities. The simulations provided valuable hands-on experience, helping to clearly define roles and responsibilities while ensuring that both volunteers and community members were well-prepared to handle real-life emergencies.
– The National Society has organized advocacy events and provided training for Georgian municipal decision-makers on gender and disability-based considerations.
– Fifteen Georgian municipalities have developed vulnerability and capacity assessments that take disability and gender into account.
– The Georgia Red Cross Society took part in the numerous Georgian working groups of gender.
– EMS has developed a road map for promoting inclusive approaches within the disaster risk management system in close collaboration with non-governmental groups.
The Georgia Red Cross Society works to increase public and local authorities’ awareness by:
– arranging meetings between local authorities and non-state actors
– Disaster Risk Reduction was the subject of educational events and public awareness campaigns.
– creation and bolstering of processes, institutions, and capacities for resilience building;
The Georgia Red Cross Society took proactive measures to improve and fortify systems, institutions, and capacities for fostering resilience through
Projects for Reducing Disaster Risk:
– Decision-makers and local community members’ trainings.
– Simulations with the main players at the local, state, and federal levels.
– Developing and executing the Capacity and Vulnerability Assessments.
– The planning and execution of local mitigation projects.
– Execution of the activities centered in schools.
– Boost collaboration and provide support for international and non-governmental organizations’ disaster risk reduction initiatives.
The following things improve cooperation:
– Meets with Non-State Actors.
– active involvement of the National Society in all Disaster Risk Reduction Conferences.
– Meetings for collaboration amongst Disaster Risk Reduction Partners.
– meetings of the stakeholder advisory group.
Early Recovery/Recovery Phase
In the early recovery phase, it is crucial to join efforts to support the affected population and address their needs as they transition back to normal life. The recovery process can take several months or longer, involving the restoration of houses, infrastructure, the economy, and the overall quality of life. To aid this process, the Georgia Red Cross Society utilized both Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) and in-kind assistance, providing direct support and essential goods to the affected population, facilitating a quicker and more efficient recovery.
Indicators for measuring progress:
1. 20 GRCS staff capable of training volunteer instructors
2. 200 community volunteer trainers properly trained to disseminate correct knowledge and information further into their communities
3. 3 simulation exercises to demonstrate their capacity to respond to health-related consequences of disasters and crisis
4. 4000 copies of informational educational material
5. 16 meetings with the relevant key stakeholders
Conclusion:
To sum up, the initiatives described by the Georgia Red Cross Society are a perfect example of a proactive strategy for reducing the risk of disaster and building community resilience. By implementing all-encompassing tactics that include inclusive planning, capacity building, and education, they have improved Georgia’s ability to prepare for and respond to disasters. Their adherence to international frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework demonstrates a commitment to global resilience standards. Through the cultivation of partnerships, dissemination of knowledge, and implementation of hands-on exercises, they guarantee that communities are more prepared to reduce risks and recover quickly from emergencies. These ongoing projects show a great effort to create safer and more resilient societies in the face of many difficulties.