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Integrated fire management

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Assuring the Future of Forests with Integrated Risk Management (AFFIRM) 

Forests around the world are threatened by various natural and human-induced factors. Each of these disturbance types can lead to forest degradation, which, in turn, causes issues with carbon storage and climate change adaptation and threatens the vulnerable communities that rely on forests for their livelihoods. The Assuring the Future of Forests with Integrated Risk Management (AFFIRM) project, funded by the Republic of Korea and implemented by FAO, aims to safeguard forests from various threats, including wildfires.

Duration: 2023 to 2027

Budget: 4 400 000 000 South Korean won

Resource partner: Korea Forest Service

AFFIRM is being developed as an internationally applicable mechanism for integrated risk management (IRM) that can prevent the devastating impacts of large-scale forest disturbances. It helps address known gaps in data needs, information, and understanding of forest-related risks, as well as a lack of an integrated approach to risk management for forest sustainability. Since forest disturbances are inter-related and can have cascading effects, an integrated approach to forest risk management has the potential to be more efficient and effective than current practices. The project is currently being piloted in Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand, and Viet Nam with lessons applied globally.

 

IN FOCUS

Advances IRM practices in partner countries with a focus on integrated fire management

As part of this, AFFIRM analyses the fire situation in each country to develop IRM plans, including methodologies for conducting disturbance risk assessments and recommendations for risk reduction actions. These plans are tailored to the specific contexts of the partner countries and can serve as examples for others facing similar challenges.

Enhances global knowledge sharing on integrated fire management – and integrated risk management more broadly

This is achieved through the production of outreach and training materials, including guidelines, case studies, and practical tools that support the implementation of effective risk management practices and encourage collaboration and information exchange globally.

Contributes to the Global Fire Management Hub, an initiative co-led by FAO and UNEP

This involves providing technical assistance, promoting collaborative frameworks, and developing innovative methodologies to strengthen countries' capacities to manage fire-related risks while ensuring ecosystem sustainability and protecting livelihoods in vulnerable communities.