Date/time: 22 May 2020, at 10 a.m.

Venue: CoES Logistics Department

Remarks by UNDP Resident Representative

Mr. Rustam Nazarzoda, Chairman of the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan,

Excellency Mr. Takayuki Miyashita, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Tajikistan,

Distinguished partners and colleagues,

We are all here this morning, during those challenges and exceptional times, because we are determined to put in place the necessary measures to prevent life loss.

Our cause is of utmost importance today, when the world is experiencing one of the most destructive and profound structural, social and economic shocks in recent history in the wake of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

In such context, impending natural disasters as the one witnessed in Khuroson last week, can compound the already heightened vulnerabilities caused by COVID-19 and lead to more losses in lives and livelihoods.

Tajikistan, one of the most disaster-prone countries, is threatened by numerous natural hazards. This situation reconfirms the need to prioritize preparedness and urges the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan to solidify its institutional and human capacities to quickly respond to disasters.

To serve this purpose, UNDP, jointly with Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense, implements a project worth over US$ 10 mln. on “Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction and Response Capacities in Tajikistan”, generously funded by the Government of Japan. 

Through this project, and since 2016, UNDP provided support to the CoES to strengthen search and rescue capacity, which is a key element in responding swiftly and effectively to natural disasters.  UNDP already provided over 16 all-terrain vehicles and 128 units of hydraulic equipment to Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence, which aim at helping rescuers manage more efficiently emergencies and save lives.

It is my pleasure today to handover jointly with H.E. the Ambassador of Japan, search and rescue equipment, including a telescopic lift vehicle, to the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defence.

The equipment worth more than US$ 500,000 will enable search and rescue teams to assess the level of danger by analysing various type of chemical substances. It will also help rescuers to search people in rubbles, avalanches and keep online communication with command centre.

I believe that this search and rescue equipment will further boost the capacities of search and rescue teams to mitigate impacts of disasters, such as the one we have just witnessed last week in Khuroson, and increase resilience and improve livelihoods of people living in disaster prone areas.

I would like to thank the People of Japan and personally his Excellency Ambassador Miyashita, for the continuous support in strengthening disaster risk management efforts in Tajikistan. I would like to also express our sincere appreciation to the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defence for the continuous cooperation.

In conclusion, I would like to reconfirm that UNDP will put all efforts necessary to build resilience to disasters and shocks in Tajikistan and globally, as an active partner of national governments supporting them in the implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Agenda 2030.

Thank you very much.