Humanitarian Partners in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Test Disaster Preparedness to Trans-Boundary Risks

(Khujand, 24 October 2014) – Central Asia’s first of its kind simultaneous simulation exercise on two sides of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border is taking place between 22 and 24 October. Government representatives, United Nations agencies, international and local NGOs, and the Red Cross / Red Crescent movement in each country will test their respective emergency preparedness plans in case of a disaster with effects spilling over the border.

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan rank high among the world’s most vulnerable disaster-prone countries. Recurrent disasters of different nature and scope are commonplace.

Both Governments have long recognized the likelihood and complexities of a potential large-scale disaster affecting people on both sides. This recognition has translated into several agreements and protocols between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan describing the governmental relationship in the event of a trans-boundary emergency or disaster. The exercise will allow these agreements to play out in practice, revealing either their strengths or shortcomings.

The simulation exercise also presents an opportunity within each country to test coordination among all levels of humanitarian community.

“In over twenty years of my emergency experience in Sugd region, this is the first time I participate in a simulation exercise where we learn how to coordinate and communicate with the international humanitarian community. It was useful not to focus solely on the field operations but to also sit at the table and plan the response jointly,” said Colonel Anvardjon Kasimov, Deputy Head of regional emergency department of the Committee of Emergency Situations of Tajikistan.

“A significant component of any humanitarian operation is assessing and covering specific needs of affected,” said Khusrav Sharifov, UNICEF Regional Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. “The simulation will let the participants practice needs assessments, as well as decision-making procedures by the members of local response coordination mechanisms,” he stressed. The simulation exercise is organized by the World Food Programme (WFP) in coordination with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). The organizers see improved preparedness as the main outcome of the exercise.

For further information, please call:

Zarina Nurmukhambetova, OCHA ROCCA, nurmukhambetova@un.org Tel. +7 777 078 9778 OCHA press releases are available at www.reliefweb.int or www.unocha.org/rocca