Disaster Risk Management (DRM) is a core function of local and national government entities. A decentralized structure of the government apparatus is often more effective to both deal with a) the local dimensions of economic, social and physical vulnerability and b) disaster impact. This program proposes to facilitate the strengthening of a sustainable DRM capacity of local self-governments (Ayil Okmots) in Kyrgyzstan mainstreaming it into the ongoing decentralization process. Decentralization offers a window of opportunity to define a clear DRM mandate for Ayil Okmots and establish mechanisms to support DRM as a critical component of their social and economic development. The program will therefore engage with the decentralization process and cover practical application, testing and refinement of DRM instruments and appropriate technologies at the local level as well as normative work at the national level. The two national implementing partners are the Ministry of Emergency Situations as the national lead agency in DRM and the National Agency for Local Self-Governments as the national lead agency in supporting the decentralization process.