FAO and Humanitarian Partners Launch Disaster Preparedness Project in Syria

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Syria's Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, and partner organizations have officially launched a disaster preparedness project funded by European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). The initiative aims to enhance multi-hazard early warning systems, risk analysis, and locally led emergency response across the Syrian Arab Republic.

Titled "Enhancing Emergency Preparedness and Response in Syria through Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems and Anticipatory Action Protocols," the project is being implemented alongside the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and the Danish Refugee Council. The launch event convened representatives from government ministries, humanitarian bodies, and technical agencies.

The project addresses the combined impacts of climate and environmental hazards—such as droughts, floods, and wildfires—alongside challenges from conflict, displacement, and damaged infrastructure. Project partners aim to strengthen institutional capacities and connect national early warning data with practical preparedness measures at both the governorate and community levels.

According to Pirro-Tomaso Perri, Acting FAO Representative OiC in Syria, early warning and preparedness investments allow farming communities to safeguard food security and livelihoods before shocks escalate into full crises. Raidan Al Saqqaf, Deputy Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office for Arab States, noted that reliable data serves as the foundation for identifying vulnerabilities and informing resilience efforts.

Ash Carl, IOM Syria Chief of Mission, stated that the agency will lead efforts to incorporate mobility and displacement data into early warning networks to support families at risk of displacement.

The project outlines four key foundational milestones targeted for completion by January 30, 2027. These include completing baseline risk analyses for multi-hazard systems, establishing a Disaster Risk Reduction and Anticipatory Action strategy with governance frameworks, developing criteria for selecting vulnerable areas for local preparedness, and drafting a Crisis Modifier concept note in collaboration with the ministry.

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