ALM UNDP

If successful, the project will give local health systems a greater base of certainty on which to plan prevention and treatment. With more lead time, health officials can respond by taking preventive measures such as distributing mosquito nets, and draining or spraying mosquito breeding grounds. They also can have adequate staff and medical supplies on standby to deal with increased caseloads.

For the first time, the Tunisian ministries have a comprehensive report at their disposal which identifies the regional impacts of climate change. Key decision-makers in all sectors at risk as a result of climate change can refer to these findings and forecasts in order to adopt appropriate measures.

The adaptation strategy and action plan for the agricultural sector were coordinated and agreed with all relevant sectors and institutions. It became apparent that the climate problems cannot be resolved by the agricultural sector alone but require a coordinated inter-sectoral approach. The shared understanding of the problem makes it easier to undertake the adaptation work which is now required.

The National Adaptation Strategy contains detailed proposals and criteria for the authorities on adaptation to climate change and the specific measures which must now be implemented. As the next step, the findings should be extended to the health, coastal protection and tourism sectors as well. The work on the adaptation strategy also generated considerable interest among the Tunisian public. A number of newspapers, radio and TV stations followed the project work and reported on the conferences that took place. This did much to raise general awareness of climate change and triggered a lively public debate about its impacts in Tunisia. The research group‘s work and findings also attracted attention and interest beyond Tunisia‘s borders. In order to respond adequately to this interest, the report will be translated into English and Arabic and made available in the southern Mediterranean countries.

The project’s goal is to enhance adaptive capacity to prevent climate change-induced GLOF disasters in Bhutan and its objective is to reduce GLOF risks in the Punakha-Wangdi (PW) and Chamkhar Valleys.

The project is organized according to the following four outcomes and subsidiary outputs:

1. Improved national, regional, and local capacities to prevent climate change-induced GLOF disasters in the PW and Chamkhar Valleys Institutionalized climate-resilient DRM legislation, policy frameworks, and guidelines. Strengthened capacities for climate risk planning at the district (dzongkhag) administrative levels. Information on climate hazards and GLOF vulnerabilities in Bhutan systematically captured, updated,and synthesized. Awareness raised in communities vulnerable to climate-related GLOF risks.
2. Reduced risks of a GLOF from Thorthormi Lake through an artificial lake level management system Engineering and safety plans for risk reduction measures on Thorthormi Lake developed. Lowered Thorthormi Lake water levels. Water levels of Thorthormi Lake and status of artificial lowering system regularly monitored and maintained. Technical knowledge and lessons from the process of artificially lowering lake levels captured and documented for use in future projects.
3. Reduced human and material losses in vulnerable communities in the PW Valley through GLOF early warnings Technical components for a GLOF EWS in PW Valley installed and operational. Established institutional arrangements to operate, test, and maintain the GLOF EWS. Raised awareness of communities in the PW Valley on operation of EWS. Raised awareness of safe GLOF evacuation areas in each vulnerable community in the PW Valley. Technical knowledge and lessons learned in the installation and operation of GLOF EWS captured and documented for use in future projects.
4. Enhanced learning, evaluation, and adaptive management Project lessons captured and disseminated through the Adaptation Learning Mechanism. Project knowledge shared with other GLOF-prone countries.