Complex Earthquake Management in South Caucasus Vulnerable Areas through Effective Planning, Reaction and Joint Operations

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Earthquakes can become major challenges for countries with big cities at risk, since metropolitan areas are the centers of economic development and their resilience impacts the whole country. Situation is worse in South Caucasus, where the fragmentation and challenging geomorphology poses more obstacles to immediate support in case of a major disaster. Moreover, during summer, the population at risk is increased due to tourists' flows. In the case of Armenia population moves constantly from regions to Yerevan, creating additional problems due to inadequate land use, urban planning and lack of needed resources to improve the situation. Earthquakes are a predominant risk in the South Caucasus (SPITAK 1988) and a big one can trigger cascading effects (i.e. failure of dams, power plants, hindering Governments' efforts for economic development and social cohesion. Earthquakes are really complex events from the point of view of damages, disruption of normality, life threatening situations, costs and recovery efforts. In case of a 2nd strong earthquake the situation can deteriorate fast and reverse any progress made. Moreover, urban areas’ resilience status influences major neighbouring areas and sometimes the whole country. This is the case ARMENIA will face if a major earthquake hits Yerevan. Armenian government may have to transfer governmental functions to Gyumri, 2nd largest city of the country. Yerevan is the economic center of a big territory and the functions damaged, cannot be easily restored. Impacts will be severe throughout the country and will last quite long. A big earthquake can create shifts in economic and other activities that may create serious problems in the future, as ARMENIA’s economy is dependent on the economy of Yerevan. ARMENIA's resilience status depends on and will influence neighbouring countries (mainly GEORGIA), calling for cross border cooperationespecially in emergency logistics. HOPE aims to address those challenges effectively.