Technical assistance to Algeria to promote sustainable forest management and fire prevention

Context

Algeria is facing an alarming rise in forest fires, marked in recent years by the emergence of mega-fires with significant human, economic and environmental impacts. Climate change, with longer and more frequent droughts, is exacerbating the vulnerability of forest ecosystems.

Against this backdrop, the Algerian authorities have launched a strategic review to strengthen sustainable forest management and improve fire prevention, preparedness and response. The technical assistance aims to support this transition by providing a shared assessment, operational tools and a capacity-building framework to modernise the national forest fire management system.

Activities carried out

• Analysis of the forestry sector and fire management: participatory collection and analysis of national data, joint assessment, and drafting of technical and strategic reports.
• Institutional capacity assessment: analysis of stakeholders, definition of a capacity-building framework, and organisation of three online training sessions on integrated fire management, data standardisation and collaborative tools.
• Assessment of the integrated forest fire management system: evaluation of forecasting, alert and reporting systems, benchmarking of technological solutions and drafting of terms of reference for a cross-sectoral information platform.
• Institutional support and facilitation: technical presentations, multi-stakeholder workshops and support for government departments in structuring a modernised approach to fire management.

Project details

To support the country, technical assistance has been put in place to strengthen sustainable forest management and improve fire prevention.

The mission enabled the development of a shared assessment of the forestry sector, an evaluation of institutional capacities, and the proposal of a structured framework for capacity building. It also analysed the national fire management system, from forecasting to reporting, identifying areas for improvement and innovative tools.

Workshops and training sessions brought together the relevant stakeholders to promote an integrated and modernised approach to firefighting. All this work helps lay the foundations for a more resilient strategy in the face of the growing risks associated with climate change.

Expected results

• Joint assessment of the forestry sector and the fire management system in Algeria.
• Assessment of institutional capacities and definition of a framework for capacity building.
• Organisation of three technical training courses to improve stakeholders’ skills.
• Comprehensive analysis of the fire forecasting, warning and reporting system.
• Identification of technological tools and recommendations for modernising fire management.
• Strengthening of inter-institutional coordination through multi-stakeholder workshops.

Budget

145 000 USD

Partners

Salvaterra

Beneficiaries

Directorate-General for Forests (DGF)

Donor

World Bank