Outcomes
| Project components/outcomes | Expected Outputs | Progress to Date |
|---|---|---|
| Component 1: Strengthening GLOF Monitoring and Assessment The focus of Component 1 is to enhance the national and regional capacity to monitor and assess Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) hazards. This component aims to improve the understanding of potential GLOF threats and establish a coordinated approach to mapping and monitoring these sites. By strengthening knowledge and capabilities, participating authorities will be better equipped to mitigate and respond effectively to GLOF hazards. Outcome 1: Improved understanding of GLOF hazards and adoption of a coordinated approach to mapping and monitoring by participating authorities. | ● Development and endorsement of appropriate mapping and monitoring strategies. ● Creation and maintenance of an up-to-date atlas on glacier lakes. ● Strengthening of organizational capacity for mapping and monitoring, with a focus on transboundary hazards. | One regional exchange workshop on glacier lake mapping, monitoring and hazard assessment was conducted, with participation of 21 institutions from participating countries, including 5 from Kazakhstan, 4 from Kyrgyzstan, 5 from Tajikistan and 7 from Uzbekistan. Synthesis reports on the state of knowledge on GLOFs risk and hazard assessment were drafted for 4 participating countries, which will constitute a basis for a Best Practice Guidance Document. |
| Component 2: Policies and Approaches for Vulnerable Communities Component 2 focuses on strengthening sub-national, national, and regional policies and approaches to address the needs of vulnerable communities in relation to GLOFs. The objective is to ensure that decision-makers and vulnerable households are well-informed about GLOF threats and have the necessary information to plan and implement adaptation measures. This component aims to empower communities to actively participate in the planning and implementation of adaptation measures. Outcome 2: Increased awareness among decision-makers and vulnerable households about GLOF threats, leading to informed decision-making and implementation of appropriate adaptation measures. | ● Development of vulnerability assessments and exposure maps for at-risk communities. ● Documentation of local knowledge on GLOF risks and adaptation needs. ● Integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) concepts into sub-national development planning. | Field missions were organized to 4 out of 8 pilot communities. Information on GLOF risk knowledge was collected during focus group discussions with local community leaders and representatives of local administration. |
| Component 3: Design and Launch of Early Warning Systems (EWS) and Risk Reduction Measures Component 3 focuses on the design and launch of Early Warning Systems (EWS) and risk reduction measures tailored to the local contexts in Central Asia. The objective is to establish a coordinated EWS network integrated into the institutional framework for disaster risk management at all levels. This component aims to enhance the region's preparedness and response capabilities in the face of GLOFs and other related hazards. Outcome 3: Establishment of a coordinated EWS network integrated into the institutional framework, enabling timely and accurate dissemination of warnings and information to relevant stakeholders. | ● Establishment and evaluation of a local to regional framework for the Early Warning System. ● Completion of design and implementation plans for site-specific Early Warning Systems. ● Enhanced region's capacity to respond to GLOF events and minimize their impacts on vulnerable communities and infrastructure. | Scoping visits to 2 pilot communities in Uzbekistan undertaken in order to explore risk perceptions and needs of local stakeholders through focus group meetings. Scoping visits to 1 pilot site in Kyrgyzstan udertaken to explore risk perceptions and needs of local stakeholders, and to inspect installation sites of existing monitoring equipment. First-order assessment of all pilot sites conducted based on available remotely sensed imagery, and existing studies, to preliminary identify main threats to the pilot communities. Sophisticated GLOF outburst and debris flow modelling studies underway for 1 pilot site in Kyrgyzstan. Several simulation runs already completed. |
| Component 4: Targeted Demonstration Projects for Vulnerable Communities Component 4 focuses on implementing targeted demonstration projects in vulnerable communities to introduce Early Warning Systems (EWS) technology and low-cost adaptation measures. The objective is to reduce the risks associated with GLOFs in these communities and provide relevant agencies with the tools and strategies to maintain and scale up adaptation measures. Outcome 4: Reduced risks from GLOF hazards in pilot communities and means for maintaining and upscaling adaptation measures. | ● Testing of EWS technology and low-cost adaptation measures in selected vulnerable communities. ● Training of community members and conducting simulation exercises for effective response and preparedness. ● Development of a maintenance and financing strategy for long-term sustainability. | Mapping of local partner institutions/stakeholders was undertaken to identify which institutions have capacities to take over the technical engineering, including the acquisition of suitable equipment for the construction of the EWS stations |
| Component 5: Knowledge Exchange and Stakeholder Engagement Component 5 aims to establish a knowledge exchange platform, engage stakeholders, and facilitate communication on GLOF hazards and risk reduction measures. The objective is to ensure that researchers, government authorities, and communities have access to the information they need to effectively address GLOF threats. Outcome 5: Established platform for knowledge exchange, enabling stakeholders to access information and collaborate effectively in addressing GLOF risks. | ● Establishment of a web-based knowledge platform as a central hub for sharing insights, research findings, and best practices related to GLOFs. ● Implementation of education and training programs to enhance stakeholders' knowledge and capacity. ● Dissemination of knowledge and lessons learned from targeted demonstration projects to foster collaboration and promote effective adaptation strategies. | A dedicated web platform on glacier lake outburst floods in Central Asia (glofca.org) was created and launched. Number of unique visitors from within the participating countries since the launch of the web platform in November 2021 – 51 people. 12 knowledge products, including information brochures, leaflets and videos, were developed. |
The project is the first UNESCO project financed by the Adaptation Fund. It was successfully launched at a regional level in April 2021 and received positive feedback and appreciation from all key partner institutions in the participating countries, particularly due to the fact that it is the first regional project addressing glacier lake hazard in Central Asia. The project is on track to achieve the targets of performance indicators under the project results framework. During the reporting period, the project implementation procedures have been fairly time-intensive, notably to formalize and establish cooperation mechanisms of this new project with numerous partner institutions in the participating countries (agree on the terms of reference, provisions of cooperation agreements, contracts, work plan, etc.). The cooperation modalities have been clarified with the partners, and further project implementation is expected to be smooth and efficient. Despite the ongoing pandemic risks and related travel restrictions, the project managed to reach high implementation rate above 95%.
| Project components/outcomes | Expected Progress | Progress to Date |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome 1: Authorities in participating countries have improved knowledge of potential GLOF hazards and a coordinated national and regional approach to mapping and monitoring potential GLOF sites | One regional exchange workshop conducted, with participation of the key partner institutions from participating countries engaged in GLOF mapping and monitoring. Desk-based studies on the state of knowledge on GLOFs in Central Asia are conducted. | One regional exchange workshop on glacier lake mapping, monitoring and hazard assessment was conducted, with participation of 21 institutions from participating countries: – Kazakhstan (5): 1. Ministry of Emergency Situations; 2. State Mudflow Protection Agency “Kazselezaschita”; 3. Institute of Geography and Water Security; 4. Central-Asian Regional Glaciological Center; 5. Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction; – Kyrgyzstan (4): 1. Ministry of Emergency Situations; 2. Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision; 3. Central Asian Institute of Applied Geosciences; 4. Institute of Water Problems and Hydropower Engineering; – Tajikistan (5): 1. Committee for Environmental Protection; 2. Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense; 3. Institute of Water Problems, Hydropower and Ecology; 4. Aga Khan Agency for Habitat; 5. Center of Glaciers Research, Academy of Sciences; – Uzbekistan (7): 1. National Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for UNESCO; 2. Center of Hydrometeorological Service (Uzhydromet); 3. Ministry of Emergency Situations; 4. State Committee on Geology and Mineral Resources; 5. State Monitoring Service for Geohazards; 6. Center of Glacial Geology, Institute of Geology and Geophysics; 7. National University of Uzbekistan. Synthesis reports on the state of knowledge on GLOFs risk and hazard assessment were drafted for 4 participating countries, which will constitute a basis for a Best Practice Guidance Document on glacier lake mapping, monitoring and hazard assessment. |
| Outcome 2: Decision-makers and vulnerable households are aware of GLOF threats and have the necessary information to plan measures to adapt to those threats. | Field visits to pilot communities undertaken, information on risk knowledge at community level collected. | Field missions were organized to 4 out of 8 pilot communities. Information on GLOF risk knowledge was collected during focus group discussions with local community leaders and representatives of local administration in 2 pilot sites in Uzbekistan and 2 pilot sites in Kyrgyzstan. |
| Outcome 3: A coordinated EWS network is designed and embedded in the institutional setting for disaster risk management at all levels. | Site-specific studies for pilot communities are launched. | Scoping visits to 2 pilot communities in Uzbekistan undertaken in order to explore risk perceptions and needs of local stakeholders through focus group meetings. Scoping visits to 1 pilot site in Kyrgyzstan udertaken to explore risk perceptions and needs of local stakeholders, and to inspect installation sites of existing monitoring equipment. First-order assessment of all pilot sites conducted based on available remotely sensed imagery, and existing studies, to preliminary identify main threats to the pilot communities. Sophisticated GLOF outburst and debris flow modelling studies underway for 1 pilot site in Kyrgyzstan. Several simulation runs already completed. |
| Outcome 4: Pilot communities reduce risk from GLOF hazards and relevant agencies have a means of maintaining adaptation measures and upscaling to other vulnerable communities. | Stakeholders mapping. | Mapping of local partner institutions/stakeholders was undertaken to identify which institutions have capacities to take over the technical engineering, including the acquisition of suitable equipment for the construction of the EWS stations. A dedicated web platform on glacier lake outburst floods in Central Asia (glofca.org) was created and launched. Number of unique visitors from within the participating countries since the launch of the web platform in November 2021 – 51 people. 12 knowledge products, including information brochures, leaflets and videos, were developed. |
| Outcome 5: Researchers, government authorities, and communities can access and exchange information they need on GLOF hazards and risk reduction measures to adapt to them. | Creation and launch of a web-platform on GLOFs. Development of information materials on GLOFs. | Based on capacity building and training needs assessment conducted for the participating countries, a concept for knowledge and capacity building for local experts, university lecturers, students, and local populations affected by GLOF risk, was developed. The concept includes regional exchange workshops, face‐to‐face training workshops for authorities and national partners, online webinar series, and distance learning modules for local universities. The first technical course on numerical modelling of rapid mass movements is taking place in May-July 2022. The second technical course on GIS mapping of glacier lakes is planned for autumn 2022. |
The project is on track to achieve the targets in the project results framework. Cooperation with the University of Zurich (UZH), an Implementing Partner, has been very productive, and the in-country partners have valued their interaction with the GLOF experts at UZH. Project implementation procedures during the reporting period have been fairly time-intensive due to change in government authorities in the region and the need to agree on cooperation modalities with numerous partner institutions in the participating countries to be involved in the project implementation. Ongoing pandemic risks have delayed some in-person interaction, although the team has been able to adapt some of the activities and interaction to a virtual environment. While the project is ESP and GP compliant for the reporting period, the team will hire a gender/safeguards specialist to support activities in future reporting periods related to community-level activities and overall support for women’s meaningful participation in project activities.
