By Mohamed Al-Aawah Disaster Risk Reduction Programme UNESCO Cairo Office

 The overall goal of this project is to reduce the economic losses and fatalities resulting from flash floods through building capacities for early effective preparedness and emergency responses in a number of Arab Countries  The main goal of the project is to develop the capacity for Managing Natural Disaster Risks of Flash Floods in Egypt, Jordan, Sudan and Yemen.

 Flash floods have increased in frequency and magnitude over the last 50 years as a result of global climate change.  In several Arab Countries Flood Disaster caused casualties (deaths and injuries), environmental, socio-economic as well as socio- demographic (destruction of dwellings), resulting in political disruption that lead to instability of these countries.

Specific objectives will include:  To evaluate current status of Flash Flood Risk in the four selected hotspots in each of the four countries  To develop risk management plans for the four selected hot spot areas in each country  To enhance participatory approach in managing Flash Flood Risk

 Communities residing in the most flood prone zones, emergency response forces and disaster reduction personnel, relevant stakeholders (ministries, academic institutions, research and training centers etc…)  The project will design and enhance participatory approach through assessment of integrated public participation methodologies, increasing institutional capabilities, defining public monitoring plan; and designing special programme for local population awareness.

 Preparedness of the targeted countries agencies and institutes to forecast floods during extreme events in selected targeted flood prone catchments and their floodplains enhanced  Capacities of the related national institutions and individuals for Flood hazard and risk mapping improved  Flood preparedness and flood emergency management strengthened in the targeted countries

The work plan of the project will follow three overlapping phases for each selected pilot area which will go in parallel with marked milestone and accompanying work packages where different methodologies will e applied delivering the expected outputs of the project

Phase 1. Initiation, coordination and collection of data WPs(1-2)  Project coordination and management  Collection, evaluation and screening of existing data Phase 2. Investigating Flash Flood Risk and Hazard WPs(3-4-5)  Assessment of Flash Flood Risk ( Flash Flood hazard and risk Maps)  Identify effective remedial measures  Development of Management Plan Phase 3: Quality control, participatory approach, capacity building, management plan reporting WPs (6-7)  Design and enhance participatory approach  Design and enhance capacity building, policies and institutions

 UNESCO Cairo Office (UCO) will be the executing agency, and will be responsible for all administrative organizational matters including workshops and meetings, plus critical assessment of project progress as foreseen with its defined milestone and deliverables  Project partners in each target country play the role of implementing agency, and since project partners will consist of the different institutions participating in the project, a selected primary institution will play the role of project manager in that country ; and a National Project Coordinator (NPC) will be assigned for each country.  Electronic communications on continuous basis between UCO and NPC will be established, to ensure full interaction, and to address all technical matters. This will be an ongoing task.  Staff exchange and additional meetings, as well as visits to participating countries are envisaged at additional times for added benefits, scientific exchange and knowledge dissemination.

 The National Project Coordinator (NPC) assigned for the implementation of each work package in each country would take care of coordination, organizing resources, defining training needs and proper implementation of his county’s functions in cooperation with other national institutions  The NPC should communicate the package deliverables, making sure that all parties involved are aware and knowledge about the package progress. He would act as the focal point of the project in the county. The focal point is responsible to liaise with other national representatives and stakeholders

 A regular meeting will be held to monitor project progress in view of its schedule, milestones and deliverables, and always noting possible risk elements.  The project will maintain an e- mailing list and a website (an online workspace) for general accessible repository of project- related information i.e. reports, documents, data, announcement, media materials and stakeholder’s information  Regular project progress evaluation meetings will be scheduled in each country, and results will be regularly reported to the stakeholders, Sector management and donor.  Documenting project management tracking and quality, especially harmonizing the activities and output of the different partners, is a crucial aspect of project success. This is because differences are expected between participating countries working on the project.

 The proposed project will ensure that the beneficiaries are aware of the roles of the Japanese Government and UNESCO throughout the implementation of the project activities.  It will make every effort to ensure that publications, meetings, training, programmes, communication activities (Media coverage, Press releases, Press conferences, Leaflets, brochures and newsletters, Web sites, Display panels, Banners, Public events and visits, Photographs), and or other information materials issued by the project will clearly indicate that the activities in question have received funding from the donor.  A Japanese ODA mark will be used for these purpose

 The sustainability of the project will be ensured by the integration of flash flood management in the national water resources management and disaster risk reduction strategy of the targeted countries towards coping with water scarcity challenges and building resilience.  Adoption of strategies and action plans by the national governments and the enhancement of the professional capacities and community’s awareness about flash flood risk mitigation and harvesting will ensure the sustainability of this project.  The community-based management activity will reduce the threats to flash flood by empowering communities to manage flash flood risk more sustainably especially in the face of climate change and thus build flash flood resilient communities.