Flood events have become increasingly recurrent in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), particularly during the winter and spring months when heavy rains and rapid snowmelt from the surrounding mountains exacerbate the risk. The region’s vulnerability is heightened by factors such as insufficient urban planning, inadequate drainage systems, and deforestation, which contribute to soil erosion and the reduced ability of the land to absorb water.

Flooding has recently caused several casualties and significant damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and homes, displacing thousands of people and putting immense pressure on local response systems. Despite ongoing efforts to improve disaster risk management, the frequency and intensity of floods continue to challenge the region’s ability to effectively prepare for and respond to such events. This underscores the urgent need for enhanced flood mitigation strategies, better early warning systems, improved response capacities and increased public awareness to reduce the devastating impacts of these recurrent disasters.

One of the main objectives of this contingency planning training is to assist JCC in developing precise flood-related emergency and contingency plans, with the aim of preparing an efficient response.

 However, while this training will focus to flooding as a case study; it should also enable JCC and it decentralized bodies within the Governorates, DMCR, to master a general contingency planning methodology that can be applied to other natural or man-made disasters.

Description of the tasks to be assigned

Phase 1: Initial diagnosis and detailed training program proposal

• Exploratory mission, study of the legal framework, interviews with key stakeholders.
• Introductory training for the members of the JCC Operations Room.
  • Understand the importance of contingency planning in disaster management.
  • Define contingency planning and its role in DRR.
  • Explore the key components of an effective contingency plan.
• Proposal of a tailored training plan for JCC HQ on one side and Erbil, Duhok and Slemani DMCRs on the other side.

Phase 2: Training in KRI

• Analyze of Risk Assessments.
• Integration of Early warning systems (EWS) in Contingency plans.
• Stakeholders and Roles and Responsibilities (R&R) in Contingency Planning.
• Key Components of a Contingency Plan.
• Emergency Response Procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Key Components of an Emergency Plan.
• Resource Management and Logistics (including supply during a disaster).

Focus on floods:

• Enhance understanding of flood risk assessment principles.
• Understand the roles of local, regional, and national authorities in flood management.
• Situation analysis: Understanding flood risks and vulnerabilities.
• Establish standard procedures for flood emergencies.
• SOPs for flood evacuation, rescue, relief, and recovery operations.
• Emergency logistics: Managing flood-related supplies.

Phase 3: Table-top exercise on flood simulation in the 3 main governorates

• Develop floods scenarios with the direct support of JCC. (scenario development should be part of the training).
• Apply the learned principles in a practical, simulated flood event scenario.
• Test coordination, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Debriefing (success, challenges, lessons learnt).
• Integration of lessons learnt in updated versions of emergency/contingency plans.