UNDRR and GCF join hands to offer pilot training on disaster risk reduction, multi-hazard early warning systems and proposal writing for Mongolia and Bhutan

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Global Education and Training Institute (GETI), in collaboration with specialists from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), hosted delegates from Mongolia and Bhutan for a week-long training workshop from 26 to 30 August 2024. This marked the first training that piloted and demonstrated how the two organizations can complement each other’s mandates in supporting developing countries and contribute to greater integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation efforts. 

The 5-day course was held at UNDRR GETI in Incheon, South Korea. Government officials and experts from ministries, as well as national climate, hydrometeorological and disaster risk management agencies and NGOs received technical training on disaster risk reduction from UNDRR trainers, and then applied their knowledge in a hands-on project concept note writing workshop led by GCF experts.

During the workshop, UNDRR trainers gave an overview on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, with a focus on multi-hazard early warning system (MHEWS). People-centered, end-to-end, multi-hazard early-warning systems can trigger early action, and together they stand as one of the best-proven and most cost-effective methods for reducing disaster deaths and losses. This workshop contributes towards the Early Warnings for All initiative (EW4All) launched in 2022, which aims to ensure universal coverage of early warning systems by 2027.

Leveraging the diverse expertise in the room, participants worked in multidisciplinary groups and utilized the 'Scaling up Early Warnings Systems: Checklist for Gap Analysis' to assess needs and priorities for scaling-up early warning systems at the national level. They also had an opportunity to learn from Lao PDR’s experience in developing a national Early Warnings for All Roadmap, based on findings from their checklist assessment.

Drawing on the takeaways from the technical workshops, participants then engaged in hands-on sessions on developing project concept notes. GCF technical specialists introduced GCF’s different modalities of support and complementary resources, and guided participants through different elements of proposal writing and climate impacts. Participants also gained insights into various aspects of project management including theory of change, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, and environmental and social safeguards. Taking the key gap areas identified from the technical training portion led by UNDRR, participants developed a project outline using the Climate Information and Early Warning Systems (CIEWS) programme structure template, incorporating feedback from GCF technical experts. This training format aims to bridge MHEWS gap assessment and planning with funding channels. 

“Climate information and early warning systems (CIEWS) play a crucial role in addressing the climate crisis. Research shows that early warning systems save lives and assets worth at least ten times their cost. GCF has doubled down on its support for early warning systems in our 2024-2027 strategic plan and in support of the Early Warnings for All initiative. GCF looks forward to early engagement between countries and accredited entities with our project teams in the development of new proposals,” Mr. Kevin Horsburgh, Climate Science Lead at GCF.  

Ms. Tserendulam Shagdarsuren, Director General of Climate Change Department at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Mongolia is confident that the workshop will contribute towards the enhancement of early warning systems in her country.

“Early warning systems (EWS) are important components for our national [climate change] adaptation strategy. We are in the process of improving and developing our EWS, and the training helped us assess our progress and identify the next steps. Learning how to develop GCF project concept notes based on Mongolia’s challenges is especially helpful and I hope this will contribute towards unlocking more opportunities.” Ms. Tserendulam Shagdarsuren, Director General of Climate Change Department, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Mongolia

“We have increased our DRR knowledge and skills on how to work together in DRR and CCA. Participants also improved our project management skills. Thank you to our Bhutanese and Laotian colleagues who shared their practical experiences. We would like to continue our work in Mongolia and submit the concept note. This training could be a model for other countries.” Ms. Bazarragchaa Duudgai, Head of Disaster Risk Management and Assessment, the National Emergency Management Agency of Mongolia

“The gap analysis through the EW4All checklist and [skills for] writing a project proposal have been my key takeaways as I now know how they work on various aspects. I particularly appreciate [the hands-on sessions working on] the conversion of gaps into [a] project proposal.” Mr. Jamyang Zangpo, Senior Hydrology/Meteorology Officer, the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology of Bhutan

“Complementarity, coherence and collaboration between multilateral development and climate actors are essential to effectively and efficiently support developing countries in their efforts to adapt to climate change. This training was designed to bridge and bring together the expertise and mandates of UNDRR-GETI and the GCF, to provide optimal, cost-effective support to developing countries in identifying their DRR-CIEWS gaps and needs, while learning how to prepare proposals to access necessary funding. This training exemplified how this type of collaboration can be mutually beneficial and effective for both organizations. The fact that the two institutions are both located in the same building helped save costs and made the training more effective.” Ms. Solongo Zulbaatar, Legal Counsel, GCF

The delegations from Bhutan and Mongolia also exchanged with government representatives from the Republic of Korea. An official from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety introduced the country’s early warning systems, with a focus on the centralization and dissemination of disaster risk information. Officials from Incheon Metropolitan City, the first MCR2030 Resilience Hub in the Asia-Pacific region, also shared their experience in disaster management and urban resilience, and introduced their Heatwave Action Policy. The delegation also visited the IFEZ promotion center and the IFEZ Smart City Operation Center to see how the city’s network of CCTVs and IoT sensors contribute to the management of disasters, traffic, fire and environmental pollution round the clock.

“This workshop was co-created by UNDRR and Green Climate Fund experts to help build the capacity of Direct Access Entities – the government bodies – to access financing from the GCF. The lessons from this pilot will help to inform a comprehensive program in the future.” Mr. Sanjaya Bhatia, Head of Office, UNDRR ONEA & GETI