The Republic of Moldova will have an emergency alert system to inform citizens about emergency situations and natural disasters through mobile phones. The project is part of a series of measures aimed at increasing Moldova’s emergency preparedness and response capacity, IPN reports.
According to the relevant bill, the sub-component regarding the public alert system provides for the financing of the installation and operationalization of a PWS with national coverage, based on mobile phones with cell broadcast. It will allow to immediately disseminate emergency and disaster warnings to residents, saving lives, reducing injuries and material losses.
The project will be financed based on an Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The total value of the agreement is €37.4 million.
In addition to the implementation of the public alert system through mobile phones, emergency response equipment and vehicles will be purchased with the available resources.
It is also planned to improve the efficiency of hydrometeorological services. Hydrometeorological observation systems will be modernized, the forecasting capacities of the State Weather Service will be improved and institutional and regional cooperation in the field will be strengthened.
“Extreme weather phenomena affect the whole world, including the Republic of Moldova. We cannot avoid them, but we can be better prepared to manage them effectively and minimize their consequences. The project will enable to prepare institutions for rapid response to emergency situations and will set down new regulations to reduce risks to critical infrastructure,” said Minister of Internal Affairs Adrian Efros.
Another component of the Agreement refers to the streamlining of assessment and management of natural hazards, seismic and climate-related risks. A new Disaster Reserve Fund will also be created as a transparent and targeted source of funding to mitigate the consequences of natural disasters.
