Dushanbe, 18 October 2019 - To commemorate the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense of the Government of Tajikistan (CoES) and United Nations Development Programme in Tajikistan (UNDP) held a series of events which  highlighted the importance of disaster risk awareness, inclusiveness and a need to ensure that everyone at risk from disasters is part of the risk reduction process.

On 17 October 2019, the Search-and-Rescue and Inclusiveness Exercise was held at the CoES Training Center in Dushanbe. The exercise involved 30 youth (22 boys and 8 girls) with autism and physical disabilities supported by the NGO “Iroda”. During the exercise, CoES demonstrated search and rescue skills, focusing on gender, age, health status and other limitations. The youth played games focusing on skills and knowledge. At the end of the event participants were awarded with diplomas and gifts by the CoES, UNDP and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

“Annually, disasters take thousands of lives globally and cause tremendous economic damage, thus our joint priority is to raise awareness on disaster risk reduction and ensure that nobody is left behind,” highlighted Muhammadjon Salimzoda, CoES Deputy Chairman, in his welcoming speech. 

On the same day, ACTED, in cooperation with UNDP and regional Sughd CoES office, organized a Round Table with stakeholders in Khujand to discuss the essence of inclusiveness and its linkage to DRR in the context of Tajikistan. The Round Table used a series of questions posed to the participants to highlight the safety of disable people during the disaster. 

Also, as part of the International Week for Disaster Risk Reduction a radio program on “Inclusiveness and Disaster Risk Reduction” was held on Radio “Vatan”. The panel for the show included CoES, the NGO “Imkoniyat”, UN Women and UNDP.

A quiz was held on inclusiveness and DRR following the programme. Approximately 25 disaster related questions were posed to the audience. A total of 6 listeners answered questions correctly and received prizes.

All the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction related events were organized as part of the Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance in Tajikista project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

For more information please contact: Khursheda Aknazarova, DRMP Project Analyst, khursheda.aknazarova@undp.org, 949999262.

***

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.  www.undp.org.