A resolution by the Cabinet of Ministers in Uzbekistan has been passed for the creation and execution of the national action plan addressing climate change and natural disaster risks. This resolution endorses Uzbekistan's strategy for reducing disaster risks and enhancing climate change resilience from 2023 to 2030.
Particular attention is given to the following disasters:
- Earthquakes
- Soil and rock migration
- Strong winds
- Snow avalanches
- Drought
- Floods and inundations
- Natural fires
- Technological hazards associated with natural events.
The document notes that a significant part of Uzbekistan is under substantial climate change influence.
In recent years, due to climate change, the number of natural disasters within the country has increased. The average number of such disasters was 115 cases between 2001 and 2010, and 126 cases between 2011 and 2022.
Among them, 46% were earthquakes, 27% were floods, 13.5% were landslides, 8.7% were strong winds, 2.4% were floods, 1.6% were natural fires and 0.8% were avalanches.
There is a potential for earthquakes with a magnitude of 7 or higher on the 12-point international MSK-64 scale. Seismological services in several Central Asian countries annually record around 3 thousand underground shocks of varying intensity.
Approximately 70% of Uzbekistan's population resides in seismic active zones. Since many buildings, especially single-family detached houses, are constructed without adhering to building codes and regulations, 70% of housing structures are not earthquake-resistant. Secondary earthquake effects are more likely to be destructive and create additional hazards.
The primary goal of the National Action Plan is to formulate comprehensive measures to reduce disaster risk and enhance climate change resilience.
Accordingly, the plan includes:
- Developing new legislative norms, republican and territorial strategies, increasing involvement and responsibility of local self-governance authorities in this direction.
- Identifying and assessing natural disaster risks, raising public awareness about such situations.
- Mobilizing state and private investments, localizing the production of emergency and rescue equipment based on PPP principles, etc.
Furthermore, a "roadmap" consisting of 26 key measures for implementing the national action plan is also endorsed.
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