UNISDR reports on flooding in November in Italy that prompted efforts by the country to secure funds for flood prevention.
Calling on governments to anticipate, reduce, and transfer risks, UNISDR's Chief of Advocacy and Outreach, Helena Molin Valdes, said “strengthening risk governance capacities is an absolute must.”
18 December 2012: Reporting on recent flooding in Italy and the Italian Government’s efforts to secure €40 billion over the next 15 years for flood prevention, the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction – Regional Office for Europe (UNISDR EUR) highlighted the need for risk management and reduction to address known and emerging risks.
Acoording to UNISDR, heavy rains in November, which caused damage in central Italy, prompted the Italian Government to seek funds for flood prevention activities. A farmer’s lobby, Coldiretti, estimated November’s flooding caused up to €100 million in damage to farmland. Corrado Clini, Italian Environment Minister, highlighted the need for a stable national fund to ensure the safety of the area.
Clini submitted a proposal to Italy’s Inter-Ministerial Committee for Economic Planning, aimed at combating hydro-meteorological risks linked to climate change, including measures to adapt infrastructure for water management and review land use, and plans for a national fund are underway.
Calling on governments to anticipate, reduce, and transfer risks, UNISDR’s Chief of Advocacy and Outreach, Helena Molin Valdes, said “strengthening risk governance capacities is an absolute must.” [UNISDR Press Release]