Agriculture is a cornerstone of Moldova’s economy, comprising nearly 74% of its territory and being the primary livelihood for 70% of the rural population. However, the sector faces significant threats from prolonged droughts and climate change, particularly in regions like Anenii Noi known for their fertile chernozem soils. These conditions can degrade soil health, reduce crop yields, and increase food prices, illustrating the cascading effects on food security and the economy.
IMPACT, in collaboration with the STRIVE Consortium (comprising Acted, Libraries Without Borders, and REACH), and funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), conducted an ABRA to understand and mitigate these risks. The assessment utilized geospatial data to identify natural hazards and social vulnerability in four communities in the Anenii Noi raion, providing a basis for risk-sensitive planning and programming.
Key Findings
Agricultural Risks
- Drought and Climate Change Persistent droughts since 2021 have compromised soil quality, threatening agricultural productivity and food security.
- Increased Hazards Risks include agricultural pests, diseases, weeds, soil erosion, salinization, desertification, and increased irrigation needs. These can alter the landscape and agricultural yields, impacting both the environment and local communities.
Natural Hazards
- Identified Hazards Wildfires, drought, heat and cold waves, floods, air pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, and other minor hazards. Climate change, biodiversity loss, land cover changes, and soil erosion were significant drivers.
- Flood Risk 37 out of 46 communities are exposed to flood hazards, with the southern and central regions being the most vulnerable.
Infrastructure and Coping Capacity
- Infrastructure enhancements like forest belt restoration, climate-smart agriculture, increased urban green spaces, home insulation, and dikes can reduce hazard impacts.
- Interviews in Anenii Noi City, Bulboaca, Floreni, and Gura Bîcului revealed that rural areas, particularly Gura Bîcului, had higher scores in lack of coping capacity, indicating fewer resources to handle hazards.
Social Vulnerability
- Vulnerable Groups Identified based on factors such as households with refugees, single parents, female heads of households, households with more than three children, elderly members, persons with disabilities, unemployed adults, low-income families, and those reliant on agriculture.
- Impact Variation Vulnerable groups face differing impacts and challenges in disaster scenarios, necessitating targeted support.
Climate Trends
- Temperature and Precipitation Changes An increase in annual mean temperatures and altered precipitation patterns affect crop growing seasons and soil health, increasing risks of topsoil erosion and biodiversity loss.
- The ABRA highlights the critical need for targeted disaster risk reduction (DRR) planning and resource allocation in Moldova’s agricultural regions, particularly Anenii Noi raion. By understanding the spatial patterns of risk and vulnerability, decision-makers can implement strategic measures to enhance community resilience against the multi-hazard risks posed by climate change and other natural threats.
Reference: https://www.preventionweb.net/news/informing-key-multi-hazard-risks-drm-decision-makers