Romania is prone to a range of natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods, droughts, and extreme weather events, which pose a considerable threat to Romania’s poverty alleviation efforts and its sustainable economic growth. In response to these challenges, the Romanian government has made substantial investments in enhancing its emergency and disaster response capabilities, displaying a strong commitment to bolstering disaster risk management (DRM).
To further strengthen Romania’s emergency response infrastructure and its institutional capacities, the World Bank, with support from GFDRR, has helped the government put in place a systematic process to reduce the vulnerability of public buildings that are critical for disaster response and recovery. About 35 public buildings have been identified at high risk of partial or complete collapse during a potential earthquake and need of structural retrofitting, functional upgrading, and energy efficiency investments.
This two-day workshop from September 13 to 15, 2023 drew from Romania's experience in enhancing its critical emergency management infrastructure and provided a platform for experts, practitioners, and key stakeholders to exchange knowledge and experiences in the DRM. It welcomed delegations from Armenia, Croatia, Georgia, Moldova, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, along with representatives from Romania as the host country. Throughout the event, participants engaged in discussions, interactive activities, and field visits.