LocationsDushanbe, May 22, 2020 – The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) handed over the search and rescue equipment and telescopic lift vehicle to the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan (CoES).
“COVID-19 has exposed many weaknesses by amplifying the effects as we have seen in Khuroson last week, where many people were displaced, as their houses were destroyed, at times, when self-isolation is crucial. This is a reminder that in any disaster, be it natural, such as earthquake, floods, and mudflows, or manmade, life fire or industrial disasters, a three-step strategy of preparedness, prevention, and response is crucial to minimize the effects,” Pratibha Mehta, UNDP Resident Representative in Tajikistan, says.
The equipment and the specialized vehicle will help CoES personnel in responding to humanmade disasters. Using the sophisticated technology, CoES radiometric and chemical experts will be able to analyze various types of gases and their density, chemical substance of various metals and other toxic items.
The supplies include 248 units of search and rescue equipment, such as radar set for search of victims in the rubble, portable gas analyzer, manual X-ray fluorescence analyzer, acoustic device for the search of affected people, and one vehicle with telescopic lift. There is also specific equipment for searching people in rubbles and avalanches, and for undertaking rescue operations in mines and tunnels, while keeping online communication with the command center.
“As representative of the people of Japan, a country that suffers from natural disaster every year, I am honored to contribute to building resilience in Tajikistan, which is also prone to natural disasters. I hope that the equipment handed over today will be effectively used to save lives,” Mr. Takayuki Miyashita, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Tajikistan says
The equipment was provided within “Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction and Response Capacities” funded by the Government of Japan. The project with an overall budget of 10 million US dollars has started in September 2016 and will last until August 2020, aiming to improve data collection and use for better forecasting, preparedness, and response, and to build the country’s search and rescue capacity.
“As long-term partner of the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense, UNDP will continue to put every effort to mitigate disaster risk in Tajikistan through capacity building for preparedness and response” said Dr. Pratibha Mehta, UNDP Resident Representative.
For more information please contact: Rukhshona Nazhmidinova, Communications Analyst, UNDP in Tajikistan, Tel.: +992 (44) 6005600, E-mail: rukhshona.nazhmidinova@undp.org
***
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.
