Afghanistan is highly prone to intense and recurring natural hazards such as flooding, earthquakes, snow avalanches, landslides and droughts due to its geographical location and years of environmental degradation.
Climate change also poses a threat to Afghanistan’s natural resources, of which the majority of Afghans depend for their livelihoods. Afghanistan faces significant impacts of climate change and disasters which impact growth prospects.
The country’s low level of socio-economic development makes it extremely vulnerable to disasters, resulting in frequent loss of lives, livelihoods, and public and private property. Since 1980, disasters caused by natural hazards have affected 9 million people and caused over 20,000 fatalities in the country.
The Establishing Critical Risk Information project ensures that policy makers, government counterparts, partner organizations and agencies have access to comprehensive multi-hazard risk assessments. These inform and integrate development planning, public policy and investments in assuring the resilience of new and existing reconstruction to natural hazards and climate change which are critical to secure both lives and livelihoods.
This project therefore supports the creation, understanding and accessibility of hazard, exposure, vulnerability and risk information as a critical component for effective management of disaster risk and climate risk in Afghanistan.
With funding from the Government of Japan and the Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction and in close cooperation with the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Agency, the World Bank has produced a comprehensive multi-hazard risk assessment at the national level, including in depth assessments for selected geographic areas.
Last Updated: May 02, 2017
Last Updated: May 02, 2017
Disaster risk profile : Afghanistan (English)
Afghanistan’s rugged mountain landscape and generally arid climate make it prone to several natural hazards.
The availability of risk information is key for effective management of disaster and climate risk.
The risk profile: Afghanistan provides a summary and visualization of the national multi-hazard assessment.
The information provides essential data and information for policy decision-making, development planning, and infrastructure investments to ensure a more resilient future for Afghanistan.
Report: Afghanistan Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment
Road Map: Strengthening Hydromet and Early Warning Services in Afghanistan
Last Updated: Dec 19, 2018