Flood Management and Mitigation Programme

Project completed

Flood risks in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) are increasing as a result of infrastructure development, land-use changes, increasing population and in the longer term by the effects of climate change. The Regional Flood Management and Mitigation Center (RFMMC) created by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) has the mandate to coordinate with its Member Countries to reduce the negative impacts of floods. It will support them to improve and implement flood risk management and mitigation practices, like flood forecasting or impact assessment.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Laos
Water
Climate change and environment
Water sector policy
Environmental policy
Water resources conservation
05.11.2012 - 31.12.2015
CHF 1'400'000
Background

The past 50 years have seen a sharp rise in large-scale floods in the Mekong Basin affecting the well-being and livelihood of millions of people. The flooding risk mitigation and coping capacities among the Mekong countries are weak and poorly coordinated. It is the MRC’s role and mandate to coordinate this tranboundary challenge and to strengthen national capacities

Objectives

The overall goal of the FMMP 2011-2015 is the same as the overall goal of the MRC Strategic Plan: “Member Countries apply basin-wide approaches of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) in national water and related sector frameworks and development programmes”.

Target groups

  • National Mekong Committee Secretariats in each member country;
  • Key line ministries in four MRC countries; River Basin Organizations (RBOs); and National Flood Centers;
  • Civil society organisations, international and national NGOs; and
  • 60 million people living in the Mekong Basins and its tributaries, especially poor people with special reference to the most vulnerable, women and children.
  • Medium-term outcomes

  • Outcome 1: Integrated Flood Risk Management (IFRM) principles are incorporated in the regional basin plan and strategy and in national strategies and planning processes.
  • Outcome 2: Flood forecasting, impact assessment, modeling, monitoring and knowledge management are conducted on a routine, year round, basin-wide basis.
  • Outcome 3. Member Countries and Dialogue Partners address trans-boundary flood issues, differences and disputes in an efficient, effective and coordinated way.
  • Outcome 4: The ability of relevant line agencies and National Mekong Committees (NMCs) to use IFRM knowledge and principles to better manage flood risk is strengthened.
  • Outcome 5: The transition of RFMMC’s function to a financially sustainable and professionally capable institution is initiated.
  • Results

    Results from previous phases:  

    1. Well-established Regional Flood Management and Mitigation Centre in Phnom Penh
    2. The application of the concept of flood risk assessment and management in many of the flood areas in the Lower Mekong Basin
    3. Documents and technical tools to address transboundary flood issues, a series of interventions at village, commune, district, provincial and national levels in its Member Countries, piloted flood preparedness and emergency management.
    4. The use of flood information as a planning tool for better land management.
    5. Flood Risk Assessments were implemented in member countries.

     


    Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
    Credit area Development cooperation
    Project partners Contract partner
    Other International Organization
    • Other OI
    • Mekong River Commission


    Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF   1'400'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF   1'375'000
    Project phases

    Phase 1 05.11.2012 - 31.12.2015   (Completed)