Strengthening disaster risk management and dam safety in the State of Ceara, Northeast Brazil

The
Grant objectives are to: (i) support improvements in the safety of dams and
levees, and the resilience of downstream communities; (ii) strengthen counterparts´
capacities on dam-related disaster risk management; and (iii) contribute to
more reliable water supply services. The activities planned to
achieve the objectives include: support and advise the State
of Ceará in (i) reviewing the
institutional framework and arrangements for integrating safety of dams and
DRM, aiming to improve safety management and risk-informed decision making;
(ii) adopting modern engineering tools to enhance dam safety assessment,
notably of old dams, reducing flood hazard risks, which may lead to losses of
lives, assets and economic activities; (iii) improving technologies and
procedures for surveillance, supervision (O&M) and monitoring data
acquisition, as well as improve data interpretation and control systems; (iv) developing
monitoring database with alert systems and make them accessible to DRM
authorities at the state level; (v) enhancing community-based DRM and citizen
engagement through targeted consultation and output dissemination with
downstream communities; (vi) incorporating good international industry practice
to support the development of DRM and dam safety manuals, guidelines and
regulations; (vii) validating the proposed procedures within technical staff
and major stakeholders followed by implementation of the new instruments;
(viii) conducting consultations with community and stakeholders applying
appropriate citizen engagement methodologies. Provide technical assistance to
main entities overseeing and implementing safety of dam measures and to promote
institutional strengthening and capacity of the main dam operators in the State.
Assist with promoting engagement with main stakeholders, including communities
and authorities in the areas prone to major impacts, looking to increase the
civil society preparedness to contribute with the implementation of the EPPs. Advise
the State in applying accountability mechanisms and citizen engagement measures
in the performance of dam-safety and DRM related functions. Provide training of
staff in charge of surveillance and data interpretation.