What happens if an earthquake hits Tbilisi?

Earthquake risks in Tbilisi, potential threats and the ways to reduce the impact were discussed today at a conference convened by the Georgian National Committee for Disaster Risk Reduction (GNCDRR) in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

In an effort to provide better information on seismic risks and promote a culture of disaster resilience in Georgia, the conference encouraged dialogue between scientists, practitioners, Government and international organizations.

Speaking at the opening, GNCDRR Head Tamaz Chelidze said: “Tbilisi is the largest and the most populated city in Georgia. A strong enough earthquake can be devastating for its people and infrastructure. The scenario we are discussing today is the first attempt in Georgia to assess the risks and consequences of a disaster taking into account human settlement patterns.”

The assessment conducted by the National Committee for Disaster Risk Reduction with assistance from SDC and UNDP, describes physical, economic and social impacts of a seismic event and includes findings of the specialists from M. Nodia Institute of Geophysics, K. Zavriev Institute of Structural Mechanics and Earthquake Engineering, Association ‘Engineering Idea’ and ‘Idea Design Group’. The assessment is in line with the recommendations of the Hyogo Framework of Action, which calls for the development and dissemination of risk maps and related information to decision-makers.

“We welcome the efforts of the Georgian government to take advantage of international expertise and of national scientific and engineering knowledge in order to reduce impacts of potential disasters. The scenarios are important to understand risks and to mitigate and prevent losses,” said Matthias Weingart, Deputy Regional Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Jamie McGoldrick, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia, noted that disaster risk reduction remains a critical challenge for United Nations.

“We can’t prevent an earthquake but we can take steps to mitigate its impact. Acting together is important to understand the risks and to be better prepared and organized to respond if and when required,” he said.

The conference discussed strategies of Tbilisi urban development and urban risks, such as road safety and sustainability of infrastructure.

The event brought together a wide range of experts – scientists, researchers and city planners, representatives of state agencies and communities at risk.