project overview:

The Kyrgyz Republic, in view of its geographical location, is a country vulnerable to numerous natural disasters. Serious geological, technological, climatic threats and global climate change problems have a constant negative impact on the population and economy of the republic. The average annual damage (direct damage, except economic losses) over the past three years (2015-2017) was about 1.44 billion soms (about 20.1 million US dollars). At the same time, according to experts of the World Bank, the economic damage caused by natural disasters can reach 1.5% of the country's GDP (more than 100 million US dollars).

The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic takes measures to reduce the vulnerability of the country, the work is in progress on improving the regulatory framework, material and technical equipment, infrastructural measures on risk reduction, etc. But due to the difficult economic situation, the total provision of security from disasters is a difficult task for governmental agencies at the present days. It is required the support and assistance of development partners.

In this regard, the project on “Strengthening Integrated Risk Governance Capacities of the Kyrgyz Republic and Regional Cooperation in Central Asia” started its implementation in 2017.

The goal of the project is to strengthen the capacity of the Kyrgyz Republic for integrated disaster risk management, as well as regional cooperation of Central Asian countries in this area through the implementation of the following tasks (short-term outputs):

Output 1: An enabling environment for National Risk Assessment Framework created to apply innovative tools;

Output 2: National Disaster Risk Monitoring and Early Warning systems as well as avalanche-risk reduction capacities strengthened alongside transport corridors;   

Output 3: Disaster response and early warning capacities strengthened;

Output 4: Increased regional cooperation of Central Asian countries Disaster Management Authorities facilitated under the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue

Consistency with national plans and priorities

     National Sustainable Development Strategy for 2013-2017:

• Develop State System for Comprehensive Monitoring of Hazardous Processes and Phenomena by applying GIS and remote sensing techniques 
• Establish Unified Information Management System for Disaster and Crises Settings” (UIMS) and National Early Warning System (NEWS)   
• Optimize the structure of Emergency Response Servicers (establish 22 Fire-Rescuing Services on the basis of existing Fire Units)

National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy until 2020:

• Extending transboundary cooperation and mainstreaming conflict and gender-sensitive approaches into Disaster Risk Management

The planned activities of the second phase funding will support the Government in building National Disaster Risk Assessment, Monitoring and Forecasting (Disaster Risk Governance) System in consistency with UIMS and NEWS.

Key achievements for 2017-2018

Output 1: Technical Assessment was conducted by international experts (Japan and Spain) to make recommendations for the application of innovative tools (such as GIS, remote sensing and modeling techniques) in disaster monitoring and forecasting. Based on recommendations, a Terms of Reference has been developed and a tender has been conducted to purchase equipment to create a Data Processing Center (DPC) for the Unified System for Monitoring and Forecasting Emergencies. Currently, supply of equipment has been completed and the equipment is being installed. According to the work plans, the creation of the DPC will be completed in May-July 2019;

Output 2: Design and estimate documentation for the construction of Dolon and Chatkal avalanche stations has been developed and agreed, a tender has been conducted to select a Contractor, and construction is planned to be completed in September-October 2019. Currently, equipment procurement for snow avalanche stations is in the process;

Output 3:

1. 22 vehicles (pick-up) for use as small rescue vehicles have been purchased and transferred to the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The vehicles are equipped with rescue tools, and the luggage compartments of the vehicles have been modernized for storage and transportation of equipment.
2. A software and hardware complex have been purchased and installed for the development of the Unified Information Management System in emergency and crisis situations, particularly for modernizing server and software of the Crisis Management Centre, expanding the coverage area of ​​the Single Emergency Number - 112 and Early Warning and Information Systems.

Output 4: Meetings of the expert group of the Regional Forum on Emergency Situations of the Central Asian countries were conducted, assistance was provided in the development of documents aimed to develop of regional cooperation, a training was conducted for the Central Asian countries with the involvement of the Asian Disaster Reduction Center, Kobe.

Overview of the first phase funding  

The following results were achieved under the project:

• Assistance provided in implementing the Governmental Programmes on “Building Unified Information Management System for Disaster and Crises Settings” (UIMS) and “Developing National Early Warning System” (NEWS, so called OKSION). Software and hardware complexes were purchased for US$ 1.5 M to operationalize the following elements of UIMS and NEWS: 
  • Crises Management Centers in the cities of Bishkek and Osh
  • NEWS to ensure public warning and alerting (OKSION)
  • Call Center 112 with full and partial coverage of Osh & Batken, Jalal-Abad & Chui oblasts
  • Two mobile stations for Crises Management for northern and southern regions equipped with satellite equipment for data transmission on-site.
• Assistance provided in establishing 9 Fire-Rescuing Services by re-profiling existing Fire Units through purchase of automobiles and rescuing kits for US$ 296 703. 
• Within the framework of ‘Central Asia plus Japan’ Dialogue, assistance was provided to Disaster Management Authorities of Central Asia and South Caucasus in post-2015 consultation processes in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction. Moreover, Framework of Cooperation (FOC) on strengthening regional collaboration of Disaster Management Authorities of Central Asia and South Caucasus in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction were adopted as well as Regional Forum of the heads of Disaster Management Authorities of Central Asian countries established.  
  

Donor of the project: Government of Japan

Total budget: USD 5 279 390

Project partners: Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction in Almaty, State Agency on Environmental Protection and Forestry under the Government of KR

Duration of the project: 3 years: 2017-2019