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AZERBAIJANCOUNTRY REPORT

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9/28/2011

EMIN NAZAROV

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Disclaimer
This report was compiled by an ADRC visiting researcher (VR) fromADRC member countries.
The views expressed in the report do not necessarily reflect the viewsof the ADRC. The boundaries and names shown and the designations
used on the maps in the report also do not imply official endorsement
or acceptance by the ADRC.

2

Table of Contents
1.COUNTRY PROFILE ................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.GEOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................................................................. 7
LANDSCAPE AND TOPOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
CLIMATE ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
MINERAL RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................................................................ 10
WATER RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................................................................ 12

3.CLIMAT CHANGES AND NATURAL HAZARDS........................................................................................... 13
FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES .................................................................................................................................................................. 14
SEISMICITY ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
MUD VOLCANOS ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
FIRES ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 18
UNDERGROUND WATERS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18
HAIL .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 18
STRONG WINDS.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
TEMPERATURE EXTREMUMS ............................................................................................................................................................ 19
SURFACE FLUCTUATION OT THE CASPIAN SEA ...................................................................................................................... 20

4.RECENT DISASTERS ............................................................................................................................................... 20
FLOODS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
LANDSLIDES ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22
MUD VOLCANO ERUPTIONS ............................................................................................................................................................... 22
EARTHQUAKES ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 23

5.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM .......................................................................................................... 23
LEGAL BASIS................................................................................................................................................................................................. 23
OUTLINE OF THE MAIN ACTIVITIES.............................................................................................................................................. 24
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE MES .......................................................................................................................... 24

6.HYOGO FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION 2005-2015.................................................................................. 245
BIBLIOGRAPHY: .......................................................................................................................................................... 26

3

1.COUNTRY PROFILEAZERBAIJAN – THE LAND OF FIRE. Azerbaijan is ageographical name. On the one hand this name islinked with the population, which lived in this region for
thousands of years before our era, and who were
mostly fire-worshippers. Local population consideredthat fire was their God and so they worshipped the fire.
"Azer" means fire. The Turkic name "Azer" was used
for this territory for a long time. The word "Azer"
consists of two parts - "az" and "er" In Turkic
languages, "az" means a good intention and a fate ofsuccess. Thus, the word "Azer" means "a brave man",

The word "Azerbaijan" originates"a brave boy", "the fire keeper".

from the name of an ancient

Formal name: The Republic of Azerbaijan

Turkish tribe, who resided in thoseterritories.

Location:

Azerbaijan is located between thecontinents of Europe and Asia in the southeast of the
Caucasus region and the western shores of the
Caspian between 38’24” and 41’54” latitude North,and between 50’51” 44’46” longitude.
Area: 86,6 thousand square km (forests 12%, waterbasins 1.7%, sown area 54,9%, including 31.1 %pastures and hayfields, 31.4% other lands).

Bordering with:

Russia in the north - 289 km

Georgia in the north-west - 340 km,



the Republic of Armenia (766 km)

Turkey (11 km) in the west

Iran (432 km) in the south.

There is approximately 800 km of coastline along the
Caspian shore in the east.

4

Population: To January 15, 2010, population of the Republic of Azerbaijan was
estimated at 9 million. About 54,1 percent of population live in towns, while 45,9% in
villages. Men constitute 49% of population, while women 51%. Male–female ratio is1000 to 1039. southeast of the Caucasus region.

Official language: Azerbaijani.
Azerbaijani language is the state official language of Azerbaijan and the mean of linguistic
communication of the 9 million population of the country .
Besides, Azerbaijani is also spoken by 20 million Azerbaijanis residing in the Islamic
Republic of Iran. Several millions of Azerbaijanis reside in Russia, USA, Turkey andWestern Europe. Regardless of their current country of residence, Azerbaijanis still canunderstand each other easily. There are over 30 million speakers of Azerbaijani at present.
Genealogically, Azerbaijani language belongs to the Turkic group of languages and,
together with closely associated Turkish, Turkmen and Gagauz languages, forms thesouthwestern group of Turkic languages.

5Capital City – Baku.
Baku is the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It is a large scientific, cultural andindustrial center. Ancient foundations, a large area and population all make Baku one of theoldest and largest cities in the East.
Baku is situated on the shore of the Caspian Sea in the south of the Absheron
peninsula. It covers an area of 2,200 square km and has a population of 2 million. Nearly
500,000 refugees from Armenia as well as IDPs from the occupied territories, currently
reside in Baku.
People have lived and founded their settlements in Baku city and the Absheron
peninsula since ancient times. This was motivated by continuous migrations from north tosouth and from west to east due to the physical and geographical conditions, a favorable
location in the center of trade routes that crossed Silk Road, climatic conditions, productionof petroleum fuel in ancient times and the availability of large power resources.
Baku was one of the main cities in the Shirvanshakhs State in the 12th century, in the
Sefevids State in the 14th century, in the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, and became
the capital of the Baku khanate in the 17th century.
Baku has 11 administrative districts and 5 settlements.

Silk Road

Baku Boulevard

Religion: Islam (93%), other religious minorities: Judaism, Christianity, Albanian-Udi
ChurchCurrency: Manat
International dialling code: +994
Internet domain: .az

6

2. GEOGRAPHYLANDSCAPE AND TOPOGRAPHYThe Republic of Azerbaijan is situated in the Alp-Himalayan mountain belt. The
three mountain ranges are the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, and the Talysh Mountains,
together covering approximately 40% of the country. The highest point in the country is on
Mount Bazarduzu (4,485 m above sea level) situated in the Greater Caucasus. Lowlands
and plains make up the other 60% of the country. The average height of the country is 657
m above sea level, however 18% of the country is below sea level. Azerbaijan is located inan active seismic zone, with particularly high activity in the southern part of the Greater
Caucasus, the Ganja region in the Lesser Caucasus, and in the Autonomous Republic of
Nachichevan. Azerbaijan does not extend over a large geographical area, and much of thedifferentiation of landscapes is due to the variation of altitude. Landscapes are influenced byclimate, soil, and habitats that change with increasing altitude. Landscapes replace eachother with height, graduating from lowland plains, semi desert, steppe, forest, alpine
meadow to subnival communities at the greatest heights of the mountains, creatinglandscape zones at different altitudes. This altitudinal zonation is naturally disordered in the
Lankoran region as a result of the Talysh mountains where semi arid landscapes replace
the forest landscapes normal in the mountains. In Nakhichevan, forests develop in islands
due to local climatic conditions. The highest point in Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic is
Gapijig mountain (3,906 m). Other important mountain ranges include the Zangazur andDaralayaz ranges in the northeast of the region, where there are a number of peaks over
3,000 m. A third of the territory of Nakhichevan is covered by grassland/steppe, totallingsome 172 km2, of which some 10,000 ha is salinated.

7

Topography map of Azerbaijan

CLIMATE
Azerbaijan is a country of varied climates, although it is predominately subtropical.
On average, there are 1900-2900 hours of sunshine annually (approximately 5-8 hours dailysunshine). In the lowlands, summers are hot, and winters are moderate, however in themountains, the summers are cooler, and temperatures in the mountains can reach negative
figures..Humidity tends to be low, although it varies across the country.
Annual average temperature: +14.5oC
January: +1.7oC
July: +27.9oC
Max to +44o (Julfa, Nakhchevan)
Min to-42o (Great Caucasus Mountains)
Annual average number of precipitation: 500 mm (min 200, max 2300)

8

Climate Map of Azerbaijan

Taking into consideration distribution and features of regime of weather temperature andatmosphere precipitations, as well humidity circumstance in Azerbaijan Republic, 9 of 11
climate patterns of the Earth (according to V.V.Keppen) are determined here. Many of thesepatterns are divided into semi-types.

9

MINERAL RESOURCES
Azerbaijan has rich natural resources. Main natural resources are oil and naturalgas. Famous oil and gas fields are in Absheron Peninsula and Caspian shelf.
Fields in Siyazan region north to Absheron peninsula have good potential. There areoilfields to west and south-west of Absheron in Gobustan, Shyrvan, Salyan plains. At
present big oil fields were discovered in water area south to Absheron. Gas fields are also
very important. There is unique therapeutic oil type (Naftalan) discovered in Ganja city.
Azerbaijan has rich resources of iron ore and alunite. There are reserves of sulphurous
pyrites, molybdenum and arsenic. Polymetallic ore fields in Filizchay in the upper flow of the
Balakan River have industrial importance.
Main iron ore fields are in Small Caucasus Mountains (in Dashkasan). In north hills of Small
Caucasus Mountains there is alunite field in Zailyk region and this field is one of the biggest
alunite fields in the world. Also there are cobalt and sulphurous pyrites reserves near theseregions (Dashkasan-Ganja regions). Gadabay, Tovuz, Ordubad, Kalbajar and Zangilan
regions have rich gold, silver and copper reserves. Rock-salt (Nehram field has reserves of
2-2.5 billion tons), arsenic and molybdenum (in Paragachai) fields are being developed in
Nakchyvan.
Azerbaijan soil has large reserves of various construction materials. Marble, which is notdifferent from “karrar” marble, also beautiful and strong tuff is extracted within the territory of
Small Caucasus Mountains. In Absheron peninsula gravel, sand, lime, fire resistant andbrick clay is being produced. The Republic has resources of 300 billion tons of buildingstone (Guzdak, Mardakan, Dovlatyarli, Dilagard, Shakhbulag, Naftalan and Dash Salakhly)

10and 24 million tons of facing material (Gulbakht, Dashkasan, Shaktakhty, Gulably).
Azerbaijan has more than 1000 cold, mineral and thermal water resources. Most famous ofthese resources are Istisu, Turshsu, Badamly, Galalty, Shikhburnu, Surakhany.

Mineral resources of Azerbaijan

11

WATER RESOURCES
The main sources of water in Azerbaijan are the surface waters. However, only 24of the 8350 rivers are greater than 100 km in length. All the rivers drain into the Caspian in
the east of the country, through three main river basins - the Caspian Basin, (rivers draining
directly into the Caspian), the Kura basin (in western and central Azerbaijan) and the Arazbasin.
The average density of river networks is 0.39 km per km2, with most of the rivers occurringin the Kura basin.
Of the 300 natural lakes in Azerbaijan, only six cover more than 10km2 of land area. The
total area of these six lakes makes up 83 % (250 km2) of the total lake area. The lakes of
the Kura and Araz basins (in the lowlands) are affected by upstream water management,
causing an increase in salinity (5000-13000 mg/L), and a reduction in fish populations.
Lakes on the Absheron Peninsula (on the shores of the Caspian) have become salinated asa result of upstream management and polluted by industrial and domestic waste (especiallyfrom oil fields). In addition, the number and size of lakes in this area are being artificially
increased.
Lakes in the mountainous area tend to be small (the total area of the 90 mountain lakes is 2km2), but face few anthropogenic threats, because of their distance from settlements andindustry.
In the last 40-50 years many water reservoirs have increased five-fold, so that they now
cover 1070 km2. Total volume of these artificial lakes is 22.66 km3, but only 11.24 km3 isusable water. The biggest of these by far is Mingachevir Reservoir, located along the River
Kura which has a total volume of 16 km3 and covers some 625km2. The water in reservoirs
is used primarily for electricity production and irrigation purposes. A dense network ofchannels irrigates more than 1300 ha of drought prone land. The channels also carry cleanwater to a number of settlements, although approximately 40% of fresh water in Azerbaijan
is takenfrom subsoil reserves.

12

Rivers ,Channels,Collectors/Drains

3.CLIMAT CHANGES AND NATURAL HAZARDSClimate change is an ecological problem on a global scale that poses a recognizedthreat to all ecosystems and associated biodiversity. Predictions suggest that climatechange is likely to have a negative impact on ecosystems in Azerbaijan and may result inincreased flooding and desertification, fragmentation of habitats, and species extinction.
Over the last century the air temperature in Azerbaijan has increased on average by aroundhalf a degree Celsius, with the highest changes in temperature recorded from the Greater
Caucasus and the Kura-Araz lowland (0.5 - 0.6oC) ans lowest changes recorded in Minor
Caucasus and along Caspian shoreline.
Based on global models of climate change, experts estimate that average temperatures in
Azerbaijan could increase by as much as 2oC. Associated with this it is expected theincidence of temperature extremes will increase, as will extreme weather events.
Particularly important, is a predicted decrease in humidity for much of Azerbaijan.
Such increases could affect the availability of water (particularly in arid regions), which couldin turn impact on irrigation, drinking water, and power production. Biological systems would
13

also be affected under this scenario, with predictions of changed ecosystem dynamics anddegradation of forest zones. The predictions suggest that the area of deciduous forest will
decrease by 20%, while coniferous woodland will increase by 12%, and scrub coverage
could increase by as much as 70%. The area of oak forest could reduce by 2-3%, althoughareas of beech would increase by 15% and hornbeam by 19%.
The warmer climate could increase productivity for a number of plants, and this would favour
increased agriculture (including vineyards, cotton and fodder production). However, theincrease in evapo-transpiration from the soil could result in increased salination and erosion,
ultimately leading to desertification.

FLOODS AND LANDSLIDESTerritory of Azerbaijan Republic is included in the list of areas, where floods
and inundations are observed mostly along the world. Appearance of floods in Greatand Little Caucasus mountain ranges which cover almost half of countrywide territory,occurs more intensively. Most floods and inundations happen in uplands of South slopeof Great Caucasus and Nakhichevan AR. The expected climate changes can cause
serious difficulties in the future by increasing recurrence of floods and overflows.
Heavy showers on the territory of Azerbaijan Republic often lead to floods with damages
and human casualties. Moreover, hail fall is observed on the territory during warm periods.
They cause damage to agriculture. Hail diameters sometimes are about 30–50 millimeters,
which results in total destruction. A substantial part of central Azerbaijan could be flooded incase of damage to the Mingechevir water reservoir in the west.
Landslides caused by heavy rains and underground water are also common case for
Azerbaijan. Besides, another reason of landslides in rural regions of Azerbaijan issemi-nomadic animal husbandry. As a result of increasing livestock in the country on thesemi-nomadic principle, the land is subjected to erosion, resulting in landslides.

SEISMICITY
As a part of the Alpine folded system Azerbaijan territory characterized as very
high seismic activity. Strong and catastrophic earthquakes which happened several times inthis area from ancient times till now caused large number of human loses and destructions
The strongest earthquakes mainly have been registered in Shamakhi and Ganja regions.
The earthquake happened in Shamakhi in 1668 (M ≈ 7.0; İ0 = 9-10 points) 2 can beconsidered as one of the strongest earthquakes happened in the Caucasus up to now.

14

Epicenters map of earthquakes (M≥5,0) happened in Azerbaijan territory in 427-1930.

According to historical information this earthquake resulted with landslides and more than
80000 people died.
In Shamakhi region registered seismic shocks with intensity up to 8 according MSK-64 in
1828, 1859, 1869 and 1872 years. In this area the last catastrophic earthquake (M = 6.9; İ0= 9 points) happened in 1902.
Other area where happened destructive earthquakes is Ganja region. In this area happened
strong earthquakes in 427 (M ≈ 6.7; İ0 = 9 points), in 1139 (M ≈ 6.8; İ0 = 9 points), in 1235
(M ≈ 5.7; İ0 = 8 points ). After earthquake happened in 1139 because of landslide createdGoy-gol Lake. In another regions of republic also were registered a number of strong
earthquakes. Intensity of these earthquakes was not more than İ0= 6-7 points, but in manycases resulted with many destructions.
Since 2003 in the Azerbaijan territory installed 30 telemetry seismic stations production of“Kinemetrics”. Up to now in republican territory working analogue seismic stations also.
During installation of these stations it was taking into account the level of the seismicity of
selected territory
Last years seismic stations with higer sensitivity seismographs has been added to the15Republican Seismic Stations Network and after this it become possible to register evenlower intensity (magnitude) earthquakes in republican territory

The map of Kinemetrics Seismic Stations

Seismic Zonation Map of Azerbaijan

16Active tectonic faults in the terrirotory of Azerbaijan.

MUD VOLCANOS
Mud volcanoes are pervasive within the Republic of Azerbaijan. There are over 220
mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan (Absheron Peninsula, Gobustan, southeast Shirvan plain,
Samur-Davachi plain terrane, both Absheron and Baku Archipelago. The biggest are
Galmas, Toragay, Big Kanizadag etc. Most of them have a cone shape. Their height varies
in the range from 20 to 400m, whereas base diameter may vary from 100 to 4500m.
Besides onshore mud volcanoes there are buried volcanoes and offshore mud volcanoes.
There are over 140 offshore mud volcanoes within the Caspian Sea. Eight Islands within
Baku archipelago were generate by mud volcanoes eruptions (Khara-Zira, Zanbil, Garasu,
Gil, Sangi-Mughan, Chigmil etc).
Mud volcanoes are one of the visible signs of the presence of oil and gas reserves under theland and sea in the Caspian region. Gas seeps are a related phenomenon. These occur
when a pocket of gas under the ground finds a passage to the surface. These occur when apocket of gas under the ground finds a passage to the surface. One gas seep burns
continually on a hillside near Baku, ignored by the sheep but sometimes visited by curious
tourists.
It is an unearthly sight, especially at dusk, and it is easy to understand how these fires thatnever appear to burn out became objects of worship.
The appearance of the Zoroastrian religion in Azerbaijan almost 2,000 years ago is closely
connected with these geological phenomena, and, according to one theory, the name17

"Azerbaijan" itself was derived from the word for "fire" in Persian.
Geologists agree on some aspects of the formation and activities of mud volcanoes. They
are formed when mud and sand up to several kilometres beneath the Earth's surface aresqueezed upwards by compressive forces and expelled.
The origins of the volcanoes are disputed. Mud volcanoes are often formed in areas of
weakness in the Earth's crust, along fault lines, and are associated with geologically young
sedimentary deposits, the presence of organic gas from hydrocarbon deposits, andoverlying pressure which forces this gas to the surface.
But when it comes to accounting for the differences between mud volcanoes, their varying
shapes and sizes, the gases they emit and their unpredictable behaviour, there is little
agreement.
Geologists describe mud volcanoes as "capricious", and are still arguing about exactly how
they are formed. Some believe they are created during the sedimentary process itself, whileothers argue that different processes are also involved, for example, seismic activity.
To the non-geologist, the explanations can seem, well, as clear as mud. But the arguments
about their origins only add to the aura of mystery that surrounds these unusual andenigmatic phenomena.

FIRES
Deciduous/leaf bearing forests dominate mainly in Azerbaijan, therefore forest fires
are not specific for the republic. But fires happened as a result of anthropogenous impacts
can cause to extinction of various species of flora and fauna. Majority of fires occur due toburning of fields after corn reaping mainly in arid cycle. So that 7 forest fires happened in
2002 covered 46 ha area. But fire-fanging of hay, then trees appears in spring-summer
seasons in Talish ranges. Six forest fires happened in 2007 covered 88.3 ha area, four
forest fires in 2008 covered 25.3 ha area.

UNDERGROUND WATERS
Underground waters constitute 24 million m3 in a day (8.8 km3 in a year) being
formed in foothills of Great and Little Caucasus and plain areas, Nakhichevan and Talish
ranges of the country. Presently, 5 million m3 or only 20% of overall resources are used in aday. It shows possibility of widely usability of underground water potential of the country inwater deficiency period.

HAIL
Most recurrence of hail precipitations is observed in uplands and foothills of Great

18

and Little Caucasus. Agriculture plants mostly suffer from frequent hail-hits.

STRONG WINDS
Orographic features of the area enable west winds to become stronger along Kurariver basin and west coasts of the Caspian sea as well as east winds in the territory ofNakhichevan AR. An increase tendency of number of very strong windy days (more than 25
m/second) is observed in the republic within the last years according to statistic analyses
carried out. So that within 2002-2008 maximum speed of wind in territory of the republicreached

to38-40

m/second

in

Baku

and

Absheroncities,Ganja-Shamakhy-Zardab-Zagatala regions (Alibay) in August 2005, in March 2006 andFebruary, March, August, September 2007.

TEMPERATURE EXTREMUMS
Temperature stresses adversely effects wildlife and vegetation. Exceedence ofabsolute maximums and minimums of air temperature were observed within past 15 years in
the last century. Declining of minimum temperature in a considerable extent in winter led todamages for subtropic plants. Within 2002-2008 maximum air temperature in territory of therepublic totalled to 40-430 hot (July 2005, August 2007) in some Central Lowland regions,minimal temperature equalled to 14-170 frost (February 2005, March 2006) in uplands.
19

Minimum air temperature in Baku and Absheron peninsula was observed as 8.70 frost in
January 2008 that it is a record.

SURFACE FLUCTUATION OT THE CASPIAN SEA
Beginning from 1978 up to 1995 485 km2 coast line of Azerbaijan remained underwater at the result of the growth of sea level 2.5 m in the Caspian Sea. At the result of thegrowth of the level in the Caspian Sea the sea is re-polluted with the oil products. Biogenic
elements, organic substance, and heavy metals amounts increase at the result of washing
the areas under water or water pressure. Also there were changes in the estuary of theKura; so in comparison with 1979 the thickness of the sludge grew 1.2-1.4 m. According to
the modern research results high humidity will be kept in the Caspian Sea basin as theresult of climate heating. If the level grows 150 centimeter, in the Caspian Sea 87,7
thousand ha will remain under water and it will occupy 1,6% of Azerbaijan area. At the resultof expected growth at the Caspian Sea level is one of the important factors to influence themultiply of mine fish. The multiply of mine fish in the river will decrease; the quality of thewater on the coastline will deteriorate and the places for spawning will get to worth inshallow coastal areas because of the growth in the sea level.
Surface level of the sea equalled to -27,12 m Bsn in 2008. Surface level of the Caspian sea
was remembered with large fluctuations within the history. Surface level fluctuations cause
great damages to the economy of Azerbaijan Republic. According to opinions of somespecialists, surface level of the Caspian can rise up as 1.2 m until 2020.

4. RECENT DISASTERS
FLOODS
There observed heavy floods and overflows in the rivers refulted from snowmelt onmountainous areas and showery rains because of a sharp rise in temperatures overmountainy areas of Great and Little Caucasus within 2003-2008.

20

1.

Due to shower rains (Guba 33mm, Khachmaz 23mm, Rustov 59mm, Gusar 38mm,
Tangaalty 20mm, Kupchal 16mm) on July 8 2008 , floods and overflows passed through therivers of Gusar, Gudiyal, Valvala, Guru, Jaghajug, Gilgil. Level of water surface rised to 2 m.
As a result, level meter units underwent to flooding, hydraulic works were damaged andsome habitats, electric piles, roads and bridges suffered considerably, finally 1 person diedin overflow. Due to shower rains (Dashkasan 24mm and Goygol 22mm) on July 8-9, floods
and overflows passed through the rivers of Goshgar, Kurak, Dastafyurd and Ganja. As aresult, level meter units underwent to flooding, hydraulic works were damaged, arable lands
were out of use, telephone and electric piles were broken down, private cars turned over,roadways suffered and 1 military serviceman died in overflow while passing across the river.
Level of water surface rised as 157 cm in Lankaran river, 105 cm in Sefidor river and 117 cm
in Vasharu river due to shower rains (Dashdatuk 49.8 mm and Lankaran 25.6 mm) on
October 2-3 (in the evening and at night). There emerged short-term floods in Pensar river
flowing across territory of Astara region and subsequently 2 persons, i.e. mother and herchild remained under floods while passing through footbridge. Horned livestock and bridges
underwent to flooding in some villages. (www.cbd.int/doc/world/az/az-nr-04-en.doc)

21

In May 2010 unusually large amounts of rain in Southern Azerbaijan caused the Kura Riverto rise to its highest level in over 100 years, bursting dams and overflowing onto nearby
villages. This unprecedented level of flooding hit hardest in the Sabirabad, Imishli, Saatli
districts, which is near the confluence of the Kura and Araz rivers. More than 24,000 people
were affected with tens of thousands of homes flooded or destroyed and 50,000 hectares offarmland inundated.

2010 flooding area

LANDSLIDES
On 7 March 2000, a major landslide involving an area of 15 ha occurred in the Bayilzone of the Sabayil district, south of Baku city center. The landslide in the Bayil slope
destroyed dozens of shops, apartments and gas stations. After the incident, it was decided
to move roughly 300 families from this territory. A total of 140 families were moved by 2003.
The slope in later years also experienced few minor landslides which led Baku City
Administration to examine the area and make a final decision on razing houses in thisterritory.
Analysis of the landslide mechanism and its causes revealed that it was a single compound
slide with one slip surface, which was triggered by intense rainfall during October andNovember 1999 (more than the average annual precipitation occurred within two months).
Due to the low permeability of the soil, the groundwater table was slowly recharged; but theinvestigations after the disaster showed that the crack openings in the landslide zone hadallowed a significant lowering of the water table. Some water leakage from utility lines
crossing the slide may also have had a detrimental preparatory effect.

MUD VOLCANO ERUPTIONSAn impressive volcanic eruption occurred in 2001 in Azerbaijan, but there were no22

casualties or evacuation warnings. The biggest flames burned for about five minutes. Then
there was another huge explosion, and then they calmed down to about 10 or 20 metres (32or 65 feet) high. The flames could easily be seen from 15 kilometres away on the day of the
explosion, and were still burning, although at a lower level, three days later.

Shikhzayirli mud volcano erupted in Gobustan region of Azerbaijan on March 13,
2011.Witnesses heard explosions before the eruption, mud breccia erupted and then fire
blazed up in the territory of the volcano.The fire had an altitude above 50 m. Experts andrescuers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations immediately arrived at the site to prevent
any emergency situation. After its activation decreased and mud flows were seen in somebald peaks. Deep grikes were created around the crater. The mud volcano didn't threaten
the nearby villages.

EARTHQUAKES
The 2000 Baku earthquake occurred on Saturday, November 25, 2000 at 22:10(18:10 GMT) local time, measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale in the epicentre with 6.3 in Baku,
Azerbaijan, and three minutes later followed by a quake measuring 5.9. No human loss ormaterial damage was registered.

5.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMLEGAL BASIS
Established by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in 16
December 2005, Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan is thecentral executive body of the government, which is responsible for emergency management
within the entire territory of the country. According to the decree “for the purpose of providing
prevention of natural and man-made disasters and fires, elimination of their consequences,management of activities of the relevant bodies responsible for rescue and rehabilitation
works by one centralized system, organization and realization of civil defense work in the
country, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan is established.”
23

OUTLINE OF THE MAIN ACTIVITIES Protection of population and territories from fires and disasters; Prevention of emergency situations and elimination of their consequences; Ensuring of safety rules water basins, building sites, industrial and mining
enterprises and safe movement of small ships in state waters
 Establishment and proper management of the State Resource Fund; Organization of protection of strategic objects exposed to natural, man-made andterror threats, neutralization of radioactive wastes; Organization of quick response to emergency situations and management of
humanitarian aids;
 Organization of management rescue-searching and first aid, aviation and othertransport life-saving operations in case of emergency
 Organization of awareness-raising activities among population regarding life safety
rules and measures, methodical guidance over respective work done in this field bystate bodies and public organizations etc.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE MES

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6.HYOGO FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION 2005-2015
As a signatory of Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 Azerbaijan undertook
several responsibilities. Since then, which coincides with the establishment year of the
Ministry of Emergency Situations set of measures towards reaching goals laid down by the
Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 has been taken and action report is to be preparedby the end of the this year.
In this connection, in April, 2011, UNICEF, in partnership with the Government of Azerbaijan,
organised a one day seminar in Baku to discuss national efforts to ensure safety andprotection of children against future disasters. This “Hyogo Framework for Action andDisaster Risk Reduction in Education” seminar brought together government officials fromdifferent ministries, and staff from the UN, national and international NGOs to discuss the
Hyogo Framework for Action. The group also discussed the country’s progress so far andway forward for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Education in Azerbaijan. The seminar
was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Emergency
Situations under their project “Supporting Disaster Risk Reduction amongst Vulnerable
Communities and Institutions in Azerbaijan”. As it was said by Asim Rehman, UNICEF
Regional emergency specialist, “The number of participants demonstrated how important
DRR is for the country, and the seminar was planned to be a useful mechanism for sharing
of information and experience on school safety assessment tools and curriculum integrationfrom pre-school to secondary”
The next conference related to Hyogo Framework commitments of the country is planned tobe held in November 15, 2011, Baku, Azerbaijan by the Association of Civil Protection andLife Safety Specialists “Fovgal”, Azerbaijan Architecture and Construction University, Baku
office of the European Center on Training and Information of Local and Regional Authorities
and Population in the Field of Natural and Technological Disasters.

Several ministries andother relevant government bodies is invited to the conference on “The role of the local
authorities and municipalities in providing protection of population, economy andenvironment according to Communities- Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015”25

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Official wep-page of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic ofAzerbaijan.
Available at: www.fhn.gov.az
 Official web-page of Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic ofAzerbaijan.
Available at: www.eco.gov.az/en
 www.azerbaijan.az
 Official web-page of the Republican Seismic Survey Center
Available at: www.seismology.az
 Official web-page of the Fund of Monitoring of Ecological Standards of Azerbaijan
Available at: www.azecology.az
 Country Study on Biodiversity of Azerbaijan Republic. Fourth National Report toConvention of Biological Diversity.
Available at: www.cbd.int/doc/world/az/az-nr-04-en.docSimilar
 NATO Seismic Hazard Assessment for Azerbaijan
Available at: http://presentations.copernicus.org/EGU2011-2738_presentation.pdf

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