Disaster Risk Reduction strategies to support Local Authorities in Anenii Noi, Moldova

Acted is committed to a multi-level assistance to decrease the impact of man-made and natural hazards on the vulnerable communities in Moldova. One important aspect of the project is engaging with Local Authorities to articulate governmental level solutions. 

Thus, to support Local Authorities in taking informed decisions in crisis situations, Acted, with the support of a DRR consultant, has been developing tailored strategies with a participative approach to equip Anenii Noi municipalities with formalized and informed procedures in DRR.  

Enhancing the coordination between administrative subdivisions is another key aspect. For this reason, trainings, co-creation workshops and roundtables are implemented to support DRR coordination mechanisms, based on participants’ background knowledge and following the results of IMPACT’s area-based assessment conducted in Anenii Noi. The ultimate objective of this project is to strengthen local strategies to feed into regional and national Disaster Risk Management policies. 

The training sessions for Local Authorities were first organised in January 2024 to establish the premises of the DRR strategies for the municipalities of Anenii Noi. The main objective of the initial sessions organized in small groups, was for participants to share background knowledge and experiences, towards a common understanding of the key concepts of DRR.  

The training brought together representatives of Local Authorities from a wide range of administrative subdivisions. Among them was Elena, Mayor of Serpeni in Anenii Noi, who told us about her expectations for the DRR training. 

Elena expects to clarify a strategy, establish priorities for her community, and wishes to bring the reflexion closer to central authorities and collaborate with CSOs, to refer all risks and take appropriate measures, collaborating and sharing information with nearby villages, which may be affected by similar hazards.  

Radu is a councillor at the Puhaceni town hall in Anenii Noi and a member of the local AO (Asociatie Obsteasca), where he is actively involved in the development of local solutions.  

Radu explained that last year, drought and wildfires occurred which caused a lot of lands to burn. Years before, floods caused severe damages in Anenii Noi. Such hazards combined with unpredictable weather conditions, cause agriculture production to suffer.  

Radu appreciated hearing of the DRR concepts that would reduce the impact of and prevent these risks and foster a better living environment in his municipality. He already has ideas to support local solutions including education on waste management, the rational use of water and chemicals used in agriculture, to prevent potential risks.