November 3: The UN Development program is providing more than half a million dollars to strengthen the capacity to plan and implement earthquake risk reduction strategies and disaster recovery preparedness in Bhutan.

Officials from UNDP, the focal agency for disaster risk management of Home and Cultural Affairs Ministry, and the Standard and Quality Control Authority of Works and Human Settlement Ministry signed the agreement yesterday afternoon.

The project will review and develop standards, codes, and guidelines for seismic evaluation and retro-fitting of buildings, identify earthquake risk and vulnerability, strengthen institutional and community capacity for earthquake preparedness and mitigation, strengthen the capacity of the government in disaster recovery preparedness and post disaster recovery operation.

The first phase of the project will be implemented in urban areas focusing on schools and hospitals which are known as lifeline infrastructures.

Public awareness programs will also be carried out throughout the Kingdom.

The programmme was initiated by UNDP with support from Japan to support the SAARC disaster risk reduction strategies in the region.