World Bank will fund a project to reduce seismic risk in Moldova
The Republic of Moldova will receive financing from the World Bank to implement a large-scale project to reduce seismic risk to buildings. This project will also focus on developing modern construction standards and creating digital tools for assessing seismic vulnerability. The topic was discussed in a recent meeting in Chisinau between Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, and a team from the World Bank.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development has announced that discussions were held regarding the implementation of Component 3.1 of the Project for Strengthening Disaster Risk Management and Resilience. The primary goal of this project is to reduce the country's seismic risk to buildings.
The project aims to develop modern technical standards for seismic design, create seismic microzonation maps, and develop a mobile application to assess and classify buildings by their level of seismic risk.
Additionally, authorities will establish specific requirements for the seismic rehabilitation of buildings, including measures to enhance climate resilience and protect infrastructure from the impacts of climate change.
State Secretary Veaceslav Șipitca previously said that the Republic of Moldova has secured a grant of approximately $1.2 million from the World Bank for this project. National specialists will collaborate with experts from Romania to ensure its successful implementation.
One of the most crucial components of the initiative is the planned launch, by 2027, of a mobile application designed to facilitate rapid assessments of buildings and classify them as high, medium, or low seismic risk. Buildings identified as having an increased risk will then undergo detailed technical evaluations to determine if they can be strengthened or rebuilt.
The project also includes creating an interactive digital map that provides information on the seismic characteristics of the land in any area of the country with a simple click.
Currently, the Republic of Moldova has a general seismic zoning map divided into three zones: the southern region, which has a seismic rating of 8 degrees; the central region, rated at 7 degrees; and the northern region, rated at 6 degrees. However, specialists caution that certain localities may be at higher risk depending on factors like soil structure and groundwater levels. For instance, in Chișinău, some sectors could be exposed to seismic movements of up to 9 degrees.
Another topic discussed at the meeting was the development of maps for flood-prone areas and those at risk of landslides. These tools will aid in updating urban plans and ensure the sustainable development of local communities.
"I was impressed by the level of infrastructure development in Japan. They do not fight against nature but learn to coexist with it. I believe that we in Moldova should also adopt this approach... to develop modern tools and technical solutions that reduce natural risks and enhance the resilience of our localities," stated Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea.
The Republic of Moldova experienced three major earthquakes in the last century: in 1940, 1977, and 1986. All of these earthquakes had their epicenter in the Vrancea area of Romania.
