Strengthening the hydrometeorological services in South Eastern Europe: South Eastern Europe disaster risk mitigation and adaptation programme

The assessment presented here was undertaken within the scope of the South Eastern Europe Disaster Risk Mitigation and Adaptation Programme (SEEDRMAP). SEEDRMAP is a collaborative initiative developed by the World Bank and the secretariat of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), together with the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the Council of Europe Development Bank, the World Meteorological Organization, the Finnish Meteorological Institute and other partners.

SEEDRMAP’s objective is to reduce the vulnerability of the countries of South Eastern Europe to the risks of disasters. It addresses the loss of life, property and economic productivity caused by weather extremes and other natural hazards. To that end, SEEDRMAP has three focus areas: (i) hydrometeorological forecasting, data sharing and early warning; (ii) coordination of disaster
mitigation, preparedness and response; and (iii) financing of disaster losses, reconstruction and recovery, and of disaster risk transfer (disaster insurance).

This document, undertaken in the context of SEEDRMAP’s first focus area, assesses existing infrastructure, capacity and data-sharing procedures among the hydrometeorological services of South Eastern Europe, identifying the needs both with respect to staff capacity and training and with respect to equipment and facilities.