ARMENIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY HAZARD, VULNERABILITY AND CAPACITY ASSESSMENT IN KOGHES COMMUNITY, LORI REGION REPORT YEREVAN, ARMENIA JULY 2014
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ARMENIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY
HAZARD, VULNERABILITY AND CAPACITY ASSESSMENT IN
KOGHES COMMUNITY, LORI REGION
REPORT
YEREVAN, ARMENIA
JULY 2014
1
This material was developed within the framework of “Building Safe and
Resilient Communities” Project of the Armenian Red Cross Society.
Program is implemented with financial support of the Austrian Development
Agency and Austrian Red Cross.
The objective of the Program is to reduce vulnerability of the rural and urban
population toward disasters in Armenia.
The capital of the Republic of Armenia and Lori region has been selected as a
target for implementation of the program. There are six target communities in
Lori region that include four rural and two urban communities.
96000 people intended to become a beneficiary within the framework of the
Project. Those are people who live in the most vulnerable, disaster prone urban
and rural communities and permanently affected by different types of
disasters.
2
3
List of Content
1. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS 5
1.1 Secondary data 5
1.2 Geographical location and climate of Koghes community 5
1.3 Community population 6
1.4 Hazards affecting Koghes community 7
1.5 Main buildings 7
1.6 Local and National roads 7
1.7 Transport 8
1.8 Sewage 8
1.9 Garbage removal 8
1.10 Irrigation 8
1.11 Water supply 8
1.12 Energy 8
1.13 Gasification 8
1.14 Bridges 9
1.15 Special services 9
1.16 Transportation resources 9
1.17 Employment 9
1.18 Vitally important facilities 9
2. MAPPING 10 3. SEASONAL CALENDAR 12
4. HISTORICAL CALENDAR 13
5. DISCUSSIONS IN FOCUS GROUPS 15
6. SEMISTRUCTURED INTERVIEWS 16
6.1 Phenomena that threaten the community 16
6.2 Emergency situations occurred in community in
recent year and their consequences 16
6.3 Capacity of the community toward
resilience and response to emergency situations 16
6.4 DRR related events organized in the community 17
7. MASS SURVEY AMONG RESIDENTS USING QUESTIONNAIRES 17
7.1 Main hazardous phenomena threatening community 17
7.2 Sesonality of hazardous phenomena 18
7.3 Frequency of hazardous phenomena 19
7.4 Losses incurred by population as a result
of emergency situations in the community 20 7.5 Combination of hazards and vulnerability 20
7.6 Knowledge of community residents about disaster resilience 22
8. DRR ISSUES AND THEIR PRIORITISED SOLUTIONS THAT ENSURE RESILIENT
DEVELOPMENT OF VAHAGNI COMMUNITY
8.1 Brief description of disaster risk 28
8.2 Formulation of DRR issues 30
8.3 Recommended solutions to DRR issues according to priorities 33
4
List of used acronyms
MES – Ministry of Emergency Situations
DRR – Disaster Risk Reduction
DRA – Disaster Risk Assessment
DRM – Disaster Risk Management
VCA – Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment
ARS – Armenian Rescue Service
ES – Emergency situation
5
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION PROCESS IN KOGHES COMMUNITY OF LORI REGION
Disaster risk reduction system is a range of processes and functions aimed at increasing disaster
resilience capacities. It focuses on preventing hazards, reducing their possible negative impact as well as
contributing to sustainable development of society.
1. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Disaster risk reduction study in Koghes community has been conducted through participatory
approach. Disaster risk assessment was conducted by “Lore” Rescue Team.
Particularly, it is worth to note the active participation and interest of community population
and community main actors during the whole DRR process.
Total number participants involved in DRR study participants was 41 people.
Community meeting participants – 10 people, including
- Head of community,
- Council of elders,
- Staff of the community hall - 2,
- teacher,
- community residents - 5,
• focus group in education field - 7,
• community residents taken part in survey – 24 people:
46% of respondents were men and 54% were women.
According to the age,
26% of respondents were from 18-26 age group,
50% of respondents were from 26-50 age group,
24% of respondents were from 50 and older age group.
Comparative analysis of the data collected as a result of VCA was done during a meeting and in
cooperation with community. Based on the results, recommendations on how to reduce hazards
affecting community have been developed.
1.1. Secondary data
Data about Koghes community has been collected from Lori regional municipality, Koghes
Community Council, Rescue Service, official webpage of the State Cadastre etc.
1.2. Geographical location and climate of Koghes community Koghes community is located in Lori region, on the bank of Tutkajur river, confluent to
Dzoraget river, 52km away from regional center and 17 km to the South East from Stepanavan city. It is
located 1310m above the sea level.
Climate is cold and temperate. Annual precipitation is comparatively high. Average precipitation
is 586mm, and average temperature is 7.90C. During the hottest period, in August, average temperature
is 18.30C. In January, average temperature is -3.20C, which is the lowest annual temperature.
The administrative area of the community is 1219 ha., including 150 ha of forest area and 831 ha
area specifically for agricultural purposes, from which,
• 300 ha are arable land,
• 69 ha are hayfields,
• 305 ha are pastures,
• 7 ha are orchards.
6
1.3. Community population
Data about Koghes community population is available from 1897. The number of population of
Koghes community was:
639 in 1897,
438 in 1926,
684 in 1939,
461 in1959,
338 in 1970,
374 in 1979,
401 in 2001,
365 in 2004,
397 in 2014.
Currently the number of population of Koghes community is 393, from which 397 are
currently living there.
Number of community households is 130, from which 117 are currently residing in the
community.
Male population is 51%.
Young people before 18 years old comprise 27 % of the population, people from 18 –
63 years old comprise 59 % and people older than 63 years comprise 14 % of the
population.
Data about population number is taken from Cadastre Data Service, where no explanation about the absence of information on population number during 2004 – 2011 is provided.
Number of community population from 1897 to 2014
7
18 % of the population are fully employed, 14 % are pensioners, 9 % are involved in
seasonal works and 6% are immigrant workers.
7 % of population have graduate education, 4 % have secondary vocational education
and 1 % have secondary education.
There are 8 beneficiary families in need in the community, 12 families with 3 and more
children, 2 families that lost their breadwinner, 5 families living in temporary shelters
and 1 single mother.
Local self-governance is implemented by the Head of Community and Elderly Council
that includes 5 members (5 male members). Staff of the Community hall appointed by the
Head of the Community consists of 6 people (2 men and 4 women).
1.4. Hazards affecting Koghes community
According to the results of the study, the following natural hazards are affecting
Koghes community: freezing , strong winds, hail, lightning, earthquake, drought and mudflow.
During recent years, frequency and strength of cases with hail, freezing and strong wind have
been increased.
Frequent forest fire is also a dangerous hazard affecting the community.
Man made emergency situations have minor impact on the community exept of fires,
explosions that threatens houses and other types of buildings. Forest fires caused by man
inattentively are also affecting community.
There are wolfs and jackals that seriously endanger livestock in the community.
1.5. Main buildings
Main buildings in the community include clinic, Community hall, Culture house, Post
office, school and market.
1.6. Local and National roads
Koghes community is logcated on the H-33 – M3 – Stepanavan – Yazdan – Aygehovit
highway. The road that connects community with the highway is in the bad condition and
needs renovation.
No study over hazards affecting the community has been conducted and no data over
specific and defined hazards is available.
8
The road that connects community with neighboring Yazdan, Mghart and Karmir
Aghegi communities is also in a very bad condition and needs pavement and repairment.
Intercommunity roads are umettaled and in a very bad condition and need needs
pavement and repairment.
1.7. Transport
Transport connection with regional and other communities is implemented by
minibuses and private cars. Transport connection with other communities is implemented daily
by minibuses.
1.8. Sewage
Community doesn’t have sewage system, there are mainly cesspits.
1.9. Garbage removal
No garbage removal is carried out in the community. Some residents use pits outside
the community, others burn garbage in pits located inside the community.
1.10. Irrigation
There is an irrigation network in the community that covers 30 % of arable lands. Irrigation
system is in good condition.
1.11. Water Supply
Community water supply is provided through centralized water suplly system from the
part of Stepanavan branch of “Hayjrmughkoyughi” CJSC. 100 % of community population is
provided with water. Water supply is carried out according to the schedule: 5-6 hour supply
every second day.
1.12. Energy
Main source of energy demand for population is natural gaz and electricity. As a source
of energy, wood and manure are also used.
1.13. Gasification
Community is gasified. 41 households do not use natural gas due to financial means and
distance from gasified area.
9
1.14. Bridges
There are 4 roadbridges and footbridges in the community, one of which is a
connecting link for Alaverdi – Stepanavan highway. All bridges are in an emergency and very
bad condition.
1.15. Special services
Fire-Rescue Service
The region is served by subdivisions of Lori Regional Rescue Department of MES
Rescue Service of the Republic of Armenia. The closest Fire-Rescue Service is located in
Stepanavan city.
Police
The community is served by Stepanavan division of Lori Regional department of the
Police of the Republic of Armenia.
1.16. Transportation resources
According to the information provided by the Head of Community, there are 33
passenger cars, 8 trucks and 37 tractors in the community.
1.17. Employment
Community population is mainly involved in agriculture (grains, potatoes), plant-
growing (cucumber, onion, cabage), fruit-growing (apple, pear), animal husbandry (193 cattles
and 85 other animals), beekeeping (124 bee families), poultry (1022 hens) and swine-breeding
(23 pigs).
1.18. Vitally important facilities
Education system
School
Koghes secondary school in Lori region of the Republic of Armenia was established in
1920. Initially, the school was providing 4 year education with 90 pupils. In 1932 it started
providing 7 year education. Due to the lack of study rooms, classes have been conducted in
rooms of the houses of community residents provided by them as well as in teacher’s house
provided for teachers. In 1953 - 1954 about 198 pupils were studying in the school. In 1964,
standard two-store building of the school was constructed. Since that time, eight year
education has been set up. After an earthquake, in 1988 the school was fully repaired. In 2002
with the support of the Armenian Investment Fund the school was rebuilt. From the part of
the community, investment was provided by “Vardanants Knights and Daughters”
organization. Currently, the school is in a good condition and repaired. It has 22 people staff
and 23 pupils.
Health system
There is a Clinic in the community, which was built by Germans. The building of the
Clinic is currently in a good condition. 1 doctor and 1 nurse are working in the Clinic. It is
equipped and provided with medicine and necessary first aid supplies.
10
Culture
There is a Culture House in community which building is in a good condition.
Historical monuments
There are quadrilateral obelisk (6th century), cemetery with cross stones (XII-XIII
centuries), bridge (XIII century), a monument constructed by Prince Tutik (1241).
Means of communication
There are landline and mobile communication, internet and post office in the
community.
Information sources
Among available information sources are public and satellite TV, public radio, internet
and press.
2 Mapping
The aim of the mapping is to make visible all risky areas, particularly highlighting those that
are hidden or left without proper attention. The study included schematic and visual
notes, photos of risky and vulnerable areas.
Collected data was on the map downloaded from internet, as community didn’t have
appropriate working maps.
The aim of the mapping is to identify and inform public on hazards and risky areas,
as well as on community vulnerabilities and capacities, marking them in community maps.
11
Hazard, Vulnerability and Capacity Map of Koghes community of Lori region of the Republlic of Armenia
-capacity, - vulnerability
- hail, - strong wind,
- freezing,
- drought
1. - Warehouses, 2. - Bridge, 3. – Post office, 4. - Clinic, 5. – House of culture, 6. – Community hall, 7.- Market, 8. - School
1 1
2 1
4 5 1
6 1
7 1
2 1
2 1
8 1
4 3
2 1
12
After mapping, the first meeting with community residents and different experts has been organized.
Overall, 10 people have participated on that event. Several tools that were presented, discussed and
filled in, are presented below.
3. Seasonal Calendar
Seasonal Calendar allows to highlight hazards affecting the community and assess frequency
of risks from the point of view of community population.
It allows to describe changes in community over a year, dangerous impacts, impacts related to
climate change, changes in socio-economic area, periods of desease’s outbreaks etc.
Seasonal Calendar was filled in together with the community, and the results are presented
below:
Seasonality
Events
Jan
uar
y
Feb
ruar
y
Mar
ch
Ap
ril
May
Jun
e
July
Au
gust
Sep
tem
ber
Oct
ober
No
vem
ber
Dec
emb
er
Social economic
High income x x x x
Low income X x
Immigration x
Labor migration x x
Homecoming x x
Harvest x x x
Outage X x x
Cattle slaughter x
Seeding x x x
Health
Influenza epidemic x x
Intestinal infections x x
Hazards
Strong wind x x
Freezing x x
Mudflow x x
Hail x x
Drought x x
13
Autumn is comparatively favorable for socio – economic development of the community.
High income during this period is explained by homecoming of seasonal workers, selling of crops and
incomes from cattle slaughter. Freezing, strong winds and hails that threaten agriculture and cause
communication and electricity outage, damages to roofs and windows occur mainly in spring-
summer period. Within the list of potential risks, earthquake is the most dangerous one that have its
negative impact on both economic and social life. Earthquake may cause collapse of the buildings in
the community.
There are partial employment opportunities in winter period, around 3 months (December -
February). During this period, people involved in animal husbandry only.
There are periods of exacerbation of different deseases in Health area. Respiratory diseases are
exacerbated usually in spring. Intestinal infections occurred in summer period are usually
consequences of violation of sanitary hygienic rules. However, problems with water supply can also
become a cause for intestinal infections.
Spring-autumn period is full with agricultural works typical for the community. Hazards
occurred during this period (strong winds, hail, mudflow, and drought) endanger and cause serious
losses in agricultural area. Particularly, frequently and intensively stroke hails in recent years as a
result of climate change become a cause of partial or full lost of harvest. The negative impact of hail is
also a result of absence of anti-hail stations. Negative impacts of freezing are closely connected with
imperfection of forecasting and warning mechanisms, as a result of which, population is unable to
organize preventive measures against freezing in time.
4. Historical Calendar
Historical calendar allows highlighting those specific events and cases that have their impact
on development of community life. It allows to identify causes and consequences of events that have
had an impact on development of the community and understand community development trends.
Historical Calendar was filled in together with community residents.
14
Koghes community has been developing during 1990s in almost all spheres. After the collapse
of the Soviet Union community has faced with many problems.
While from 1990 to 2000 the number of buildings and forest areas has decreased, the number
of infrastructures and disasters has increased.
During 2000-2010 there was development in almost all spheres in community.
Positove changes are presented in the historical outline below which is a description of events that
have had a significant impact on development of the community and its memory.
Per
iod
Pop
ula
tion
Hou
se/
Bu
ild
ings
Th
ree/
F
ores
ts
Cat
tle
/ L
and
Infr
astr
uct
ure
s
Haz
ard
s/ D
isas
ters
1970
-- -- -- -- --
1970-
80
-- -- -- -- --
--
fires, hails
1980-
90
-- -- -- -- --
-- --
earthquake,
hail
1990-
20
00
-- -- -- -- --
----
road,
gasification
Drought, fires,
hail, river
become
dry
2000-
20
10
Community
hall,
Renovation of
Culture house
20 ha
-- -- -- -- ------
road,
gasification
Beasts, fire, hail
Emission
of strong
toxic
substances
(mines)
15
While comparing the outline and Historical Calendar, it becomes obvious that:
The collapse of the Soviet Union and socio-economic crisis has become a cause of immigration.
Despite immigration, there are still some human resources in the community which is a strong
capacity for community development,
Development of agriculture is an important factor for development of the community,
Main changes in the community are connected with repairment of structures and
infrastructures, that creates positive basis for development and prosperity of the community.
Related to hazards that threatens the community, it can be proved that the following disasters
have permanently treatened community: freezing, strong winds, hail, earthquake, drought and
mudflow. As negative phenomena, it is worth to note an increased intensity and frequency of
dangerous hydrometeorological events (hail, strong winds, drought, etc.) as a result of climate
change. Hail and freezing have frequently occurred and there is an increased tendency of strong
winds.
5. Discussions in focus groups
Focus groups have been set up with the assistance of the Head of community and main actors.
Representatives from educational area of the community have been also involved in focus groups.
Data obtained from focus groups have been classified into three main areas: vulnerability,
hazards and capacities.
Year Description
2000-2014
Renovation of Culture house /World Vision/
Building playgrounds / World Vision/
Assistance to families in need / World Vision/
School renovation /Armenian Social Investment Fund/
Renovation of the drinking water local network / Save the Children/
Vulnerability
Educational area Educational system of the community involves areas of preschool education and
secondary education.
Two-floor building of the school was renovated in 2002 by the Armenian Investment
Fund and currently has problems with deficiency of sport hall equipment,
equipments of physics and chemistry laboratories, means of fire protection systems,
first aid equipment, absence of means of disaster protection as well as with deficiency
in number of pupils.
Hazard
Educational area The hazard that cause the issue of the most concern for this area is building
conditions. A treat of collapse due to human factor or as a consequence of earthquake
is directly connected with physical condition of the building. Frequently occurred
strong winds cause damages to windows and roofs.
Deficiency of skills and knowledge in disaster resilience and response treatens life and
16
During discussions in focus groups the issues identified as a conclusion by participants
directly affect community livelihood and development and in case of solving these issues fully or
partially the community would have positive outcome: poverty reduction, increased living standards
of population, increased birth rate and low immigration. All these would contribute to the
development and prosperity of the community.
6. Semistructured interviews
Taking into account that interviews require specific knowledge and experience, semistructures
interviews have been conducted with the Head of communty and members of the Community
Council in Koghes community.
All received data fro interviews was classified in the folowing directions.
6.1. Phenomena that threaten the community
According to the data provided by the Head of the community, among man-made hazards
that threaten the community is fire. Forest fire also poses a threat to the community. However, the
following phenomena are frequently occurred in the community:
Hail, that poses a threat to the whole community area as well as the absence of anti-hail stations
causes serious damages to agriculture,
Strong winds, that poses threat to roofs of buildings, electric and communication systems and
sown areas,
Mudflow, which as a result of the absence of mudflow channels poses a threat to roads and
gardens.
6.2. Emergency situations occurred in community in recent year and their consequences
According to the official data, the folowing phenomena have been registered and caused damage to
the community:
6.3. Capacity of the community toward resilience and response to emergency situations
The following capacities existing in the community have been identified during interviews:
landline and mobile communication,
rapid response groups.
health of children and adults.
Capacity
Education area Willingness to support the processes and issues related to educational area from the
part of community residents, local government and school staff.
YEAR EMERGENCY SITUATION NEGATIVE IMPACT
1988 Earthquake Whole community was damaged.
2000 Drought Agricultural lands were damaged.
2009 Hail Agricultural lands were damaged.
17
Some buildings, Clinic, human resources and some vehicles have been also noted as a
resilience capacity against emergency situations.
6.4. DRR related events organized in the community
Local government and community residents have participated in the trainings organized by
the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
7. Mass survey among residents using questionnaires
24 residents of the community have taken part in a survey, as a result of which the following
data have been obtained:
Knowledge on hazards affecting community
Knowledge on vulnerable elements and capacities of the community
Main actors in the field of DRR
Resilience toward emergency situations and readiness to response
Residents’ readiness to contribute to DRR event planning and implementing process
About interest adnd participation in DRR events.
Data collected from survey was classified and is presented below:
7.1. Main hazardous phenomena threatening community
As a man made disaster, fire, car accidents households accidents have been identified by
residents. Separately, forest fire and hayfields fire, that could turn into environmental emergency
situations, have been mentioned (dispappearence of some types of plants and animals, reduction of
land yealding capacity, erosion etc). Appearance of forest fires is explained as a consequence of
human deliberate or unattentive behavior.
Other phenomena that pose threat to the community is shown in a graph below.
Data on natural hazardous phenomena received from residents.
Strong wind Freezing
Hail
Drought
Mudflow
Earthquake
18
Among natual phenomena freezing, strong winds, hail, earthquake, drought and mudflow
have been mostly stressed.
Data gathered from the survey was classified by priority and results are presented below.
Forest fires have been also mentioned among hazardous phenomena that pose threat to community.
7.2. Sesonality of hazardous phenomena
PHENOMENA JUSTIFICATION
1 Freezing Early spring freezing is frequently happening in recent years. It causes damage
mainly to sown areas and roads.
2 Strong winds Strong winds pose threat to the roofs of houses, electric and communication
system and sown areas.
3 Hail Hail causes big damages to sown areas and electric and communication systems.
It is worth to note that hail damages also roofs of buildings and windows.
4 Earthquake
Earthquake is an unpredictable phenomenon that threatens all areas of the
Republic of Armenia. It could be also a cause of secondary phenomena and
emergency situations /explosion, fire/.
5 Drought
Drought begins when no raining falls during growing of plants or rainfall is less
than 200 millimeter. Thus, it is a precondition for drought when during a period
of an intensive irrigation of plants in spring there is scarcity of water and no
artificial irrigation is carried out.
6 Mudflow In the region, mudflow streams appear as a result of abundant rainfall, which
sometime become cause of emergency situations. Those streams damage sown
areas, national and local roads.
Data on seasonality of hazardous phenomena gathered from community residents
Earthquake
Strong winds
Drought
Freezing
Hail
Mudflow
winter spring summer autumn Cannot be surely said
19
Earthquake
Strong wind
Drought
Freezing
Hail
Mudflow
Once every six months Once every two-three year
Once every five year
Once a year
Less than once every twenty year
Data collected from community residents over frequency of hazardous natural phenomena
Study of seasonality identifies different periods and relevant hazardous phenomena that pose
threat to the community, which allows with refenrece to the past to identify changes and tendencies
occured with phenomena.
Study of hydrometeorological data shows that there is 0.850C increase in average temperature
and 6-8% decrfease in precipitation during the last 80 years in Armenia. Changes in temperature and
precipitation have different trends during different seasons in relevat regions of the Republic of
Armenia.
Study of seasonality shows that from the point of view of comunity residents, spring-autumn is the
most dangerous period. Phenomena occured during this period, freezing, strong winds, hail, drought
pose threat to agriculture which is the main source of income.
7.3. Frequency of hazardous phenomena
Study on hazardous phenomena shows that the number and intensity of hazardous
phenomena has increased and the tendency to increase is remained. According to the State
Hydrometeorological and Monitoring Service, total number of cases with dengerous phenomena has
increased with 1.2 during the last 30 years and with 1.8 cases during the last 20 years.
Data collected from community residents over frequency of hazards is presented in the graph below:
20
Crops were damaged
Roof was damaged
Fruit trees were damaged
Duscussions and interviews clearly shows that most people consider more dangerous and pay more
attention to those natural phenomena that cause or may cause financial losses. People have
particularly noted small scale hazards (drought, mudflow) and their increased frequency. Information
about such cases and caused damages are not reported, so they are not registered in official statistical
data.
7.4. Losses incurred by population as a result of emergency situations in the community
79% of respondents have suffered losses as a result of small scale hazards and emergency
situations in the community. As a result, agricultural sector (79%) has mainly damaged, suffered
losses are mainly material which brought to deterioration of social condition.
According to community residents,
mechanisms of information and projections’
(agrohydrological or hydrological – flood,
mudflow) preparation and dissemination are
either incomplete or do exist. It becomes clear
during interviews, that early warning system
on community level does not mainly exist.
7.5. Combination of hazards and vulnerability
Every hazard has its specific kind of vunerrability that are typical for every single area, thus, they are
also different depending on states, regions, communities or individuals. Causes of vulnerability are
consequences of physical, economic, social and political-institutional weaknesses.
The graph below shows, which hazardous phenomena specific to community may pose threat to
vitally important facilities, infrastructure, dwellings and agricultural facilities according to residents
opinion.
Water supply system
Bridges
Schools
Electric-communication system
Community roads
Intercommunity roads
Sown areas
Residential houses
drought freezing mudflow strong winds earthquake hail
Data collected from residents on treatening hazards that affect community vulnerable elements
21
Almost all interviewees have noted bridges as the most vulnerable to emergency situations due to
their emergency conditions and the need to be renovated. Vulnerability of other buildings is shown
in the graph. The school is considered vulnerable as it concentrates large number of people inside.
The following graph shows the group of people most vulnerable to emergency situations. The most
vulnerable group of people is an elder group.
There was special notes that the level of vulnerability of all groups included in the graph would either
decrease or increase depending on the change in their health condition and the level of awareness.
According to residents, man and woman are equally vulnerable toward disasters.
Access to various services was also studied. Most respondents noted, that below mentioned services are
available to community population, equally to man and woman.
Data collected from community residents on assess to community services
Police
Social
Educational
Health
Fire-rescue
available Difficult to access not available Don’t know
Data collected from the community residents on
community vulnerable buildings
school
bridges
Data collected from the community residents on
community vulnerable groups
all
disabled elderly
22
7.6 Knowledge of community residents about disaster resilience
The most vitally important factor in protecting community is a local capacity to disaster
resilience and response which is reflected by existing response tools and mechanisms in place, by
technical means and the level of population preparedness.
Community is faced with disasters at first. Capacity of the community to face with and to
respond to similar situations depends on the level of knowledge and skills of local authorities and
community residents. Lack of knowledge and skills among residents has significant impact on the
level of vulnerability of the communty. To define the level of disater resilience and response, self-
assessment among community residents on disaster preparedness was conducted.
During the interview, it becomes clear that there is a lack of knowledge among community
residents and local authorities in applying and using existeing capacities available in the community.
Preparation starts from information and the ways and possiblities of its provision. It is worth
to note that among the main sources of information provision, public TV is avaialable to community.
Availability of information sources is shown in the graph:
Large part of the respondents have noted that they use several sources of information at once.
The main sources of receiving information are following: public and sattelite TV and internet. The
main source of information is public TV. Interestingly, internet as an information source has become
more available.
Local level of disaster preparedness depends on
people’s ability to prepare and withstand with
disasters. 79% of respondents have never
participated in disaster preparedness trainings.
Clear self-assessment picture of knowledge
and skills over practice in emergency situations and
first aid is shown in the graph, according to which
only 21% of respondents have knowledge and skils
over practice in emergency situations and first aid. It could be considered as a capacity, which will
contribute to the reduction of the level of vulnerability in emergency situations. The opinion of the
resondents over community residents’ and local authorities’ withstanding and readiness to respond to
emergency situations is shown in the graph below:
Data collected from community residents on information sources
media
public radio
internet
satellite TV
public TV
Data collected from community residents on emergency
situations and first aid.
aware
partially aware
do not aware
23
The study on residents’ knowledge over active
stakeholders in the field of response to emergency
situations identified that respondents mainly
consider local authorities and rescue service
participation in the fields of disaster reponse and
elimination of consequences.
Obtained results over main actors in in case of
disasters are explained by two circumstances: by
economic losses, damages caused by emergency
situations occurred in recent years and the
leresidents vel of response from the part of stakeholders and which organization community
residents suppose to receive support from.
Experience shows that disaster resilience and the issue of readiness to respond to emergency
situations are explained by residents willingness to be voluntarily involved in different disaster
preparedness, prevention and respond projects. Such projects incorporate actions so that whole
communty will benefit from. Generally, 87% of respondents expressed their readinees to voluntary
participate in disaster preparedness and prevention activities.
People’s level of preparedness to
withstand with disasters contribute to increasing
the level of community preparedness which may
reduce the impact of disasters and minimize
losses. The graph below shows about which
disasters or emergency situations and other
related issues respondents would like to have
information.
Do you think local authorities are ready to
respond to emergency situations?
Do you think community residents
are ready to respond to emergency
situations?
Are you ready to respond
to emergency situations?
Yes Partially
No NDon’t
know
Yes Partially
No NDon’t
know
Yes
Partially
No
NDon’t know
In your opinion, which organizations can play substantial
role during disaster?
Local
authorities
Rescue service
Health system
In your opinion, who can provide substantial help
immediately after disaster before arrival of rescue forces?
Community
residents
Volunteers
participated in
trainings
24
Above mentioned statements make it clear that commnunitiea play vitally important role in
disaster preparedness and reduction of its consequences.
Disaster preparedness and prevention involve several actions before, during and after disaster.
Expressed voluntary willingness by residents is an advantage which has to be taken into
consideration and used. Respondents expressed their readiness to participate in disaster related
preparedness, prevention and response activities voluntary.
The graph below shows responses over participation on activities before or after emergency
situation made by repondents.
About what emergency situations or disasters you would
like to be informed? What information realated to disasters or emergency situations
you would like to know?
Ear
thq
uak
e
Flo
od
All
Res
cue
B
ehav
ior
skil
ls
Fir
st a
id
25
It can be summarized, that psychological preparedness of community residents allows them
to withstand with and respond to emergency situations.
Summing ap results, it becomes clear that people realize that involvement in preparedness
and prevention activities will reduce the impact of disaster which directly affect the process of
sustainable development of the community. Obviously, every community has human and technical
resources so that such issues like enhancing behaviour skills, cleaning river banks, or river pollution
or awareness raising can be easily tackled by their own resources. The whole community would
benefit from such activities.
This is an important fact that brings to the conclusion that the best way to withstand with
hazards is to have resilient community.
Data collected from community residents over participation in actions before or after disaster.
Carry out social activity in case of disaster
Rescue those in danger
Help to save property
Provide victims with shelter and food
Provide first aid
Inform others about hazard
Participate in public awareness activities
26
Issues identified by the community residents, their causes and possible solutions according to vulnerability reduction and
enhancing capacities
Type of hazard and main
description
Vulnerable elements Negative consequences Recommended solution/ proposals as a result of VCA Expected results
Natural disasters
Hail
In average, it strikes once annually.
It heavily affects mainly agricultural
sector.
Roofs of the buildings,
sown areas, windows,
cars.
Damages buildings windows and
roofs. Brings significant material
losses.
Anti-hail stations, development and deployment of early
warning and forecasting systems.
Protection of crops,
improvement of economic
situation.
Earthquake
Earthquake is unpredictable. Can
be a cause of other phenomena
(lanslide) or emergency situations
(explosion, fire) typical to the
community. No study on the
current stage of community
buildings.
Residential and other
buildings
Destructions of houses,
buildings, material and human
losses, emerging of secondary
disasters.
Public education, seismic risk assessment, Earthquake
engineering.
Avoiding possible
losses, reduction.
Drought
Drought seriously damages sown
areas. One of the preconditions of
drought is when during a period
of an intensive irrigation of plants
in spring there is scarcity of water
and no artificial irrigation is
carried out.
Sown areas
Decline of yield capacity, lost of
crops and, therefore material
losses.
Deployment of new technologies (drip irrigation)
ensuring reliable climate information.
Avoiding possible
losses, reduction.
27
Lightning
This is phenomena that occurred
usually in spring and pose a threat
to community population.
Buildings
As a result, lightning damages
buildings, sometimes it poses
threat to people.
Installation of lightenning arresters in risky areas.
Avoiding material
losses
Man – made disasters
Explosions, fires
Residential houses,
buildings
Material and human losses
Training on safety rules, protection. Public
awareness, education.
Avoiding possible
losses.
Fires in forests and hayfields areas
Forest, hayfields
Plants destruction, extinction,
decline of soil fertility, erosion.
Applying new technologies and crops. Ensuring
provision of information on climate change. Public
awareness. Installation of information boards.
Protection of
ecosystem, population
health and livelihood.
Other hazards
Wild beasts Cattle, dogs Material and human losses. First aid education, awareness and training on
behavior skills.
Avoiding possible
losses, reduction
Water shortage Small rivers, cattle
breeding Obstacle for the implementation
of agricultural activities.
Reconstruction of irrigation system, installation of
pumps.
Avoiding possible losses
Emission of strong toxic substances
Ecosystem
Pollution of ecosystem
Training on safety rules, protection. Public
awareness, education.
Protection of
ecosystem, population
health and livelihood.
28
8. DRR ISSUES AND THEIR PRIORITISED SOLUTIONS THAT ENSURE RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT OF KOGHES COMMUNITY
8.1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DISASTER RISK
VULNERABLE ELEMENTS NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES CAPACITY OF COMMUNITY
NATURAL DISASTERS
Hail
In average, it strikes once annually. Granules have diameter of 3
sm. It heavily affects mainly agricultural sector.
Roofs of the buildings, sown areas, gardens.
Damages to crops, sown areas, breaking windows
and roofs, brings to considerable material
losses.
Fixed and mobile
communication,
Internet,
Accessibility to information
sources,
Human resource,
Community hall,
School, Clinic, Some agricultural vehicles
Transportation means
- 33 vehicles,
- 8 trucks,
- 37 tractors:
Sown areas, gardens
Cattle, pigs, poultry, bee
families,
River,
Natural sources,
Forests,
Bridges,
Markets,
Favorable climatic
conditions,
Earthquake
Earthquake is unpredictable. Can be a cause of other
phenomena (lanslide) or emergency situations
(explosion, fire) typical to the community.
Buildings, people.
Destruction of houses, buildings, human and
material losses, emerging of secondary
disasters.
Drought
Increased temperature and decreased precipitation in summer have
been registered in recent years. Drought causes serious damages
to sown areas. It is among precondition of drought, when
during a period of an intensive irrigation of plants in spring
there is limited rainfall and no artificial irrigation is carried
out.
Agriculture, cattle breeding, natural
sources, beekeeping.
Decline in yield capacity, lost of crop and, as a
result, material losses.
29
Thunder / lightning
Thunder and lightning have been always observed in the
community. Lightning is a serious threat for the
community.
Elevtric equipment, people, cattle.
Damages to electric equipments, threat to human
health and life, lost of cattle.
Human resource,
Existence of drinking water
network.
Բ
Man -made
Explosions
Fires
Collapses
Residential houses, buildings, schools,
mines.
Material and human losses.
Destruction of animals and plants.
Fires in forests and hayfields
Forests, hayfields, animals, plants. Animal and plant destruction, extinction,
Soil fertility decline,
Damage to environment.
Other hazards
Wild beasts Cattle, dogs. Human and material losses.
Scarcity of water Brooks, cattle breeding Becomes an obstacle for carrying out
agricultural activities.
Emission of strong toxic substances
Ecosystem
Pollution of ecosystem.
30
8.2 FORMULATION OF DRR ISSUES
DEVELOPMENT AREA IMPACT OF AREA DEVELOPMENT ON
EXISTING RISKS
DRR IMPACT ON AREA
DEVELOPMENT
FORMULATION OF ISSUES THAT
ENSURE DISASTER RESILIENT
DEVELOPMENT
EDUCATION
Renovation and improvement of relevant
buildings will considerably reduce existing
risks.
Upgrading with relevant tools, equipments
and literature will support the process of
organization of qualified education,
availability of DRR information for staff and
pupils, will enhance protection and disaster
resilience level.
Reforms and development of education area
will reduce possibility of migration and
contribute to economic growth and poverty
reduction.
Implementation of DRR events will
considerably ease the issue of education
development, because resources that
have been concentrated toward
elimination of consequences of
different types of disasters through
years, will be focused on improvement
of education system that will ensure
continuation of education in the
community.
Expertised examination of seismic
resistance of educational institutions
will allow to organize reconstruction
and renovation works in a best way,
their further maintanance, operation
and continuous renovation.
As a result of incorporating DRR
education into the education system
disaster resilience skills of staff and
pupils will be enhanced which will
reduce human losses and health
threatening risks.
To limit possible damages to education
system caused by disasters (strong winds,
earthquake, fire) through reviewing and
strengthening disaster resilience capacities
of education system.
HEALTH
Improvement of health system of region and
community, improvement of buildings and
offices of clinics, timely prevention of
epidemics, running anti-epidemic campaigns,
public awareness raising will substantially
Events related to prevention and
reduction of risks posing threats to
community, increasing knowledge of
population in disaster preparedness
and epidemic resilience issues,
Establish clinic, ensure some improvements
in infrastructures and services, ensure that
people have gained knowledge and skills
related to disaster and epidemic
preparedness in order to minimize threats to
31
reduce disaster and epidemic related risks
posing threat to people’s health.
improvements in infrastructure of
public services will ensure security of
population and promote improvements
of public health and life protection.
human health and life.
ENVIRONMENT
Consistent implementation of environment
related events, improvements of energy
system, prevention of human further harmful
activities will minimize risks particularly
ecological risks from various phenomena that
pose threat to environment.
Organization of public services in
community in a proper way and
improvement of energy system,
effective organization of agriculture
and mining industry, increasing the
level of public knowledge in
agriculture, health and environment,
enlarging green areas will promote
improvements of environment on
regional and community levels.
Environment protection, minimizing caused
damages, improvement of environment
conditions provide exploitation of some
infrastructures and improvement of
services, dissemination of public knowledge
on environment, protection of enlargement
of green areas.
AGRICULTURE
Applying modern methods in agriculture,
setting food processing, green house and
refrigeration industries, acquisition of
agricultural machinery, and repairment of
old ones, improvement of wells network
system, applying new technologies, crop
and crop rotation, control of quality of seeds,
pesticides and fertilizers, planned utilization
will ensure increasing of soil fertility, and at
the same time minimize desertification and
erosion of soil. Meanwhile, intensive
utilization of soil within the context of
existing condition of irrigation system and
not effective utilization of pastures will
increase a threat of soil erosion.
Mitigation and prevention activities to
reduce hail, drought and freezing risks,
implementation of adaptation projects
and applying new technologies and
seeds as well as planned events related
to actions over soil protection and
against erosion, implementation of
events related to development of cattle
breeding will create favorable
conditions for development of the area.
Organize prevention events for some
infrastructures, particularly related to
irrigation system, improvement of local and
other secondary roads, campaigns against
wolfs and rodents, develop and implement
climate change adaptation projects,
including adoption of new crops, organize
public trainings on the issues related to
agriculture, particularly related to setting up
a culture of applying new technologies with
the aim to minimize damages causes by
threatening risks to agricultural sector.
HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, URBAN
CONSTRUCTION, INFRASTRUCTURE
Complex study of emergency condition of
houses, buildings and working conditions of
infrastructures, their timely reconstruction
Implementation of DRR activities will
promote preservation of durability of
buildings and infrastructures, will
To minimize possible damages to
community houses, buildings,
infrastructures from threatening risks by
32
and preservation, consideration of risky
factors before providing lands for
construction and finally, strictly following all
construction norms during a construction
will reduce existing threatening risks and
prevent formation of new ones.
reduce tempo of increasing emergency
conditions, will allow saving means
allocated for elimination of
consequences and focus them toward
implementation of preventive and
mitigation projects.
reviewing and strengthening disaster
resilience capacities of community,
renovating and reconstructing
infrastructures and buildings.
EMPLOYMENT AND LIVELIHOOD
Setting up new employment opportunities,
improvement of economic and social
condition, providing employment and
entertainment will lead to combination of
personal and community interest aimed at
ensuring sustainable development of
community taking into consideration threats
and risks.
Disaster risk reduction is one of
prerequisites for sustainable
developmentthat will have positive
impact on development of all areas of
economy creating new employment
opportunities and welfare.
Provide effectiveness of main ecenomic
areas of community, ensuring effective
operation of infrastructures and systems,
organization of anti-hail system and
irrigation, implementation of measures
against rodents and wolves, planning and
implementation of long-term adaptation
projects.
WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION
Development of water supply and sewage
systems, control of quality of drinking water
will promote the issue of sustainability of
healthy life. Meantime, it will prevent
penetration of wastewater and rainwater to
residential and other agricultural areas.
Improvement of irrigation and wells will
prevent water scarcity.
Establishment of sewage, drainage
systems, water treatment systems will
reduce risks of outbreak of epidemies.
Public education and awareness will
reduce outbreak of epidemies, threats
to human health.
As a result of effective management of
irrigation system threat of drought will
be reduced.
Ensure quality of drinking water and its
permanent supply, resolve the issues of
sewage, wastewater and rain water
treatment and disposal. Improve irrigation
and well systems.
LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT,
DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY
Every community resident, being a part of
the process of community management will
considerably strengthen implementation of
activities toward ensuring community
security and development, considering DRR
as an important factor for development.
Setting up DRR regional and
community teams, proposing DRR
participatory management mechanisms
in community will promote
democratization of local self –
government, ensuring community
population participatioin in decision
making and implementation processes.
Carry out measures to involve DRR
management in operational processes of
community self-governance, take into
consideration risks threatening
community, risks restraining
community development and the ways
to reduce them.
33
8.3 RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS TO DRR ISSUES ACCORDING TO PRIORITIES
AREA OF DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS
PRIORITIES
SOURCE OF FUNDING
INTEGRATION INTO
FOUR YEAR
DEVEOPMENT
PROJECTS Priority indicator
Implementation
period
EDUCATION
Expertised examination of seismic resistance and
location of educational institutions
3
Replenishment of school sport hall equipment. 1
Replenishment of First aid equipment. 2
HEALTH
Community public education and awareness in DRR
(first aid, rescue norms etc.).
4
Organization of sanitary-hygienic events and
community awareness raising in sanitary-hygienic
norms.
3
Paving with asphalt and improvement of local
intercommunity roads.
2
Implementation of garbage removal. 1
ENVIRONMENT
Organization of environmental trainings. 3
Organization of sanitary-hygienic events and
community awareness raising in sanitary-hygienic
norms.
2
Implementation of garbage removal. 1
34
AGRICULTURE
Setting up anti-hail stations. 1
Establishment of early warning and forecasting
systems.
2
Implantation of new plants 4
Public education and awareness in agricultural
issues.
3
HOUSING CONSTRUCTION,
URBAN CONSTRUCTION,
INFRASTRUCTURES
Expertise examination of seismic resistance of
community buildings.
6
Strengthening of community buildings from seismic
security point of view.
5
Improvement of local intercommunity roads.
Paving with asphalt and improvement of local
intercommunity roads.
4
Acquisition of Culture house equipment. 3
Renovation of bridges. 1
Implementation of garbage removal. 2
EMPLOYMENT AND
LIVELIHOOD
Setting up anti-hail equipments 2
Bringing new crops 6
Establishment of early warning and forecasting
systems.
7
Paving with asphalt and improvement roads. 5
Implementation of garbage removal. 1
35
Renovation of bridges 4
Paving with asphalt and improvement of local
intracommunity roads.
3
Improvements of intercommunity roads and
illumination.
3
WATER SUPPLY AND
SANITATION
Implementation of garbage removal. 1
Organization of sanitary-hygienic events and
community awareness raising in sanitary-hygienic
norms.
2
LOCAL SELF-
GOVERNMENT,
DEVELOPMENT OF
DEMOCRACY
Setting up Community DRR Certificate and its
approval.
Development and implementation of community
development/ annual plans.
Implementation of community DRR mini-projects.
Annual monitoring and assessment of Disaster
management functions.
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