Moldova to implement national emergency alert system via mobile messages

Moldovan citizens will receive emergency alerts via mobile phone messages, thanks to a new public alert system funded by a $40 million loan from the World Bank. The law for the ratification of the Loan Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the implementation of the Moldova Disaster Risk Management and Resilience Project has been published in the Official Journal.

According to the document, $5 million will be allocated for the installation and operationalization of PWS system, with nationwide coverage, based on mobile telephony. This will enable the rapid sending of warning messages, contributing to saving lives and reducing damages.

An additional $22.5 million will be invested in intervention vehicles and rescue equipment, including special containers for emergency situations. Over $1.5 million will be used for community disaster preparedness. About $6 million is earmarked for the modernization of hydrometeorological services, including improving weather forecasts and installing new monitoring systems.

Another $2 million will be used to reduce seismic risk through technical studies and the development of risk maps.

The loan has a maturity of 30 years, with a grace period of 5 years, and the project will be implemented over a five-year period.