Joint efforts against natural disasters

The idea and the main objective of this project is to ensure a fast working cross-border interaction and cooperation in case of emergency situations caused by man-made or natural disasters. The current situation is characterized by increasing need of preparedness in front of the natural hazards such as fires and landslides. Through timely and accurate measures implemented in the target areas of both countries (RO and BG) these events can be foreseen and the situation can be constantly monitored in order to take and apply efficient preventive decisions. The common challenges identified for both areas (Mezdra Municipality in BG and Mehedinti County in RO) under this project and according to priority Axis 3:A safe region, Specific objective 3.1 To improve joint risk management in the cross-border area,can be summarized as follows: fire prevention and fighting and landslides problem identification and management. The solution of the common problem that has to be faced by both countries can be identified answering the following few questions: What are the specific actions and the necessary steps that has to be taken in a country and cross-border level in order to guarantee high level of safety for the population and the territories? How can we ensure durability and sustainability of the project in relation to the programme goals and Indicators? Who must be involved in order to achieve the planned results? Which is the target(in terms of territory and audience) of the project and what resources are needed? By answering these questions we have set the focus and the main goals of our joint project,i.e: -elaboration of well-structured common action plans, strategies and improving the decision making process(involving the local administration)which will allow fast, efficient and smooth joint action in emergency situations. -coordination of the joint initiatives such as: know how sharing, trainings, resources and equipment sharing. -constant monitoring of the current situation and identification of potential risks (for ex.:landslides areas,fire risks in connection with the season, current state of the forests). -involvement of the population through delivery of information about possible risks and appropriate behavior in order to avoid and minimize them. -introduction of measures and rules for prevention of natural and man-made hazards on a local and cross-border level. -implementation of early warning system where this would lead to specific preventive actions. -modernization of tools and equipment needed to perform the specific tasks and actions. -landslide area reconstruction (by building a retaining wall and implementing the related activities in order to ensure safe accessibility of all citizens to this area. The landslide also have seriously affected the main road leading to the village Ignatitsa) in Mezdra Municip. in order to ensure the safety of the population and the smooth circulation of vehicles in the area. -joint project management for successful implementation of the already mentioned measures, strategies, equipment, tools and land improvement works. The durability of this project will be guaranteed through continuous cooperation, experience exchange, common utilization of the equipment and tools set under the project and the specialized training of the professional working with it. The proximity of both territories is big advantage for fast and efficient circulation and interaction in case of emergency situations but also for execution of face to face regular meetings and joint initiatives. The continuous sharing of services, equipment, know-how and expertize ensures the quality of the joint risk management, i.e. minimizing the cost for post-emergency actions, sharing the costs for equipment and work force, improving the quality of life of the population of entire territory but also of the people from other regions in both countries. The starting point of the Action Plan will be built on the Joint Intervention plan in the fields of competence of General inspectorate for Emergency Situations and Fire Safety (RO) and Civil Protection Directorate (BG) concluded in March 2013 which represents the operational document developed in order to improve cooperation between the 2 national bodies. The target group of this project is the population of both Mehidinti County and Mezdra Municip.and the closest municipalities which counts to about 385000 people who will benefit from the measures,equipment and reconstruction activities implemented in the area. The project will help the target territory and the surrounding areas in terms of: -risk prevention (through implementation of early warning systems, action plans and tools). -risk management (through fast implementation of preset measures and coordinated activities of the local administrations). - it will facilitate and significantly improve the safe circulation in the affected by landslides area in Mezdra Municip. The cross border cooperation in this specific case is crucial in terms of aligned action plans in case of emergency situations which will be presented to the local regional authorities in order to be successfully implemented, efficient and durable. The idea is to remove the administrative obstacles trough creating fast working mechanism for joint actions, to minimize the approval time for action and to involve directly decision makers in order to achieve quick solutions when natural hazards occur. The joint actions will also lead to resources sharing, fast action plans implementation and involvement of local administration in critical situations, for improved efficiency and significant risk reduction on a cross regional level. All these proposed objectives will contribute to minimalize this major threat that if not treated seriously can have major consequences. Forest fires could bring serious consequences for the whole ecosystem in the eligible area, regardless of the place in which the disaster might occur(RO or BG). The implementation of this project will assure a clean area with low risks which will bring an added value for the safety of all the inhabitants and tourists. Preventing natural disasters trough information and awareness raising innovative campaigns for the population from the following counties: Mehedinți,Dolj,Olt,Teleorman,Giurgiu, Călărași și Constanța, counties with a population of over 3190000 and with a forest area of over 400700ha from which 150000 in the county of Mehedinti.The population of Mezdra Municip. but also the population of Vratsa region (235189 inhabitants) will be also benefiting from the fire protection measures and landslide reconstruction. The project will be managed by both BG and RO experts.The project indicative budget is calculated to: 998 895.80 euro VAT included.

The project is completed and all project related activities have been completed. LB, the Municipality of Mezdra, has completed the implementation of work activities for the consolidation and reconstruction of an area where landslides are registered, along the route of the road connecting the villages of Zverino and Ignatitsa. The use permit was issued on February 28, 2020 by the National Directorate for Construction Control in Bulgaria. LB completed the information campaign among representatives of the municipal administration, representatives of the state administration at the local level, municipal structures, teachers from schools and kindergartens. LB also developed the "Strategy and Joint Action Plan" in case of disasters. B2, Mehedinti County Gendarmerie Inspectorate, purchased the following equipment for extinguishing forest fires: two 4x4 pick-up vehicles for actions in the field of extinguishing forest fires; a 6X4 multipurpose vehicle with crane; a mobile container for transporting materials (sand); a mobile container for transporting fire-fighting equipment; firefighting equipment, two glucometers, two first aid kits and a drone. Also, within the project, on 23.08.2022, a joint partnership between the Municipality of Mezdra and the Inspectorate of Gendarmes Mehedinti was concluded in the field of early warning and response to emergency situations. The project website is functional and can be accessed at: https://jeand-robg.eu/

Enhancing the EU's resilience to crises, as well as its capacity to anticipate, prepare and respond to risks, especially cross-border risks, is among the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy: competitiveness and sustainability depend upon effective disaster risk management which helps to avoid losses and strengthens resilience to increasing global shocks and threats. Basic principles of this proposal are directly related to the program Priority Area 05 for the Danube Region "To manage environmental risks" by implementing a joint initiative in the field of territorial cooperation for management of natural disasters and menaces. One of the main goals of the strategy is to protect the environment – through early identification of impact and opportunities for implementation of prevention measures increasing cross-border cooperation. These goals are directly linked to the global objective of our project. The project fully meets the programme expected results, i.e. improvement of the quality of the joint risk management by implementing activities which are fully connected with the P.A.3 by increasing coordination and efficient reactions of the authorities in the emergency situations caused by natural disasters (as fire hazards) and setting up of harmonized integrated tools for risk prevention, land improving for areas with high hazards risks (as landslide area in Mezdra Municipality). The Programme result indicator the project will contribute is the quality of the joint risk management in a sustainable way in the CBC area. The contribution to the achievement of programme result indicator is ensured through: - creation of fast-working and efficient joint structures for urgent situations; - land improving works for areas with high hazard risk level in order to prevent future damages and negative impact on the population (in terms of safety) and territorial sustainability; - experience exchange and knowledge sharing between the local administrations of both countries which participate in the implementation of the project activities; - preparing a fire risk assessment and set up of measures for the target area which will help in dangerous situations and allow the prevention; - designing and implementing a physical measures, instruments and tools for fire and landslide risk management; The project results will contribute to a better protection of the population in the two regions in emergency situations by both prevention and intervention actions. The damages resulting from disasters will be diminished and moreover some disasters could be foreseen and prevented. Taking the appropriate measures before disaster strikes, combined with efficient intervention after the disasters will bring great benefits to the population in the area. The efficient intervention after the disasters will bring great benefits to the population in the area. We estimate that the entire population of Mehedinți County will be affected in case of fires as well as a significant part of the population of Mezdra Municipality will be affected in case of landslides which affects the regular circulation on the territory of the Municipality. The concept of durable development is approached in the project through its three dimensions, the ecologic, economic and social dimensions. The durable development entails the adoption of a set of actions so that the effects of fires and landslides can be economically, ecologically and socially supportable: - Economic acceptability entails efficiency, respectively the costs approach taking into consideration the risk assumed in case of fires and landslides; - Social acceptability entails the creation of an appropriate protection, respect for law, equality and prosperity, which ensure the social balance and unity; - Ecological acceptability is measured by the self-regulation capability, by the dynamics and diversity of the ecosystems affected by fires and landslides. The project respects and promotes the non-discrimination and equal opportunities principles and the Partners will comply with the legislation on preventing and sanctioning all forms of discrimination. In terms of activities, the equal opportunities approach is combined with the non-discrimination approach. It will be ensured equal incomes for work of equal value; equal treatment in the workplace; working conditions that meet health and safety standards at work, according to the legislation in force. The project activities will include promotional and awareness activities of the principles of equal opportunities, non-discrimination and on respecting the diversity. The project will apply the principle of equality between women and men, in accordance with the Law no. 202/2002 and with the Community provisions in the field of equal opportunities between men and women. By promoting the equality between men and women on the project implementation, it will be taken into account initiatives for supporting the increase of employment rate among women, changing the ratio of women and men participation in the area of IT&C, reducing the income disparities, the right to equal work between women and men, equality in the economic life, equal participation in decision-making, equality in society, equality in civil life, changing traditional roles and overcoming gender stereotypes. Within the training sessions, there will be a section that will address and promote the principles of equality between men and women.