We were commissioned by the World Bank to assess Romania’s Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) system. This assignment aimed to reduce the risk of flooding and enhance Romania’s flood risk management plans.
Despite implementing a range of flood mitigation measures, Romania continues to face significant residual risks from flooding, particularly during severe events. The EU Floods Directive, introduced to reduce and manage flood risks across Europe, requires member states to develop and implement Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) in six-year cycles.
The second cycle of the Floods Directive presented an opportunity to address gaps identified during the first cycle, strengthening Romania’s flood preparedness and response capabilities. This project focused on assessing Romania’s EP&R system to identify institutional capacity gaps and propose actionable, economically viable measures. The objective was to develop a preparedness package that will help to reduce loss of life and economic impacts during flood events.
Using the World Bank’s Ready2Respond Framework, we conducted a thorough evaluation of Romania’s EP&R system, engaging stakeholders at national, regional, and local levels. Key activities included:
In collaboration with the World Bank, we developed a practical preparedness package designed to be implemented incrementally. This package was tailored to Romania’s local risk context and institutional structure and included:
This assignment provides Romania with a robust foundation for managing residual flood risks and responding effectively to future events. Key outcomes include:
This project demonstrates how targeted assessments and practical measures can enhance EP&R systems, reduce flood risks, and improve disaster response. By combining strategic analysis with actionable recommendations, this work not only supports Romania’s compliance with EU directives but also offers a scalable model for other regions seeking to strengthen flood preparedness and response capabilities.
To learn more about our work in Romania, contact our team.
Contact our team to learn more about this project.
