First meeting on cooperation for disaster preparedness and response to emergency situations between Republic of Tajikistan and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

The First Meeting on Cooperation for Disaster Preparedness and Response to Emergency Situations between Republic of Tajikistan and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was held today on 15 February 2018, with participation of the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense (CoES) under the Government of Tajikistan and the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA), 17 diplomatic missions and international organizations.

The event was organized by UNDP within “Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction and Response Capacities” project, funded by the Government of Japan. The meeting focused on strengthening partnership and established a platform for dialogue between governmental organizations responsible for preparedness and response to emergencies in Tajikistan and Afghanistan. At the meeting participants discussed potential approaches to streamline delivery of humanitarian aid. In addition, CoES Tajikistan and ANDMA had an opportunity to discuss cooperation on response to cross-border disasters and joint search and rescue operations.

During his speech Mr. Rustam Nazarzoda, Chairman of CoES in Tajikistan, stated: “Tajikistan is interested to establish bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan on preparedness and response as well as in capacity building of Afghan SAR teams”.

Mr. Mohammad Aslam Sayas, Acting and Deputy Director General of ANDMA said: “Afghanistan and Tajikistan are brother countries therefore cooperation among these countries is predetermined.”

His Excellency Hajime Kitaoka, Ambassador of the Japan pointed: “Indeed, Afghanistan and the Central Asia are the same members of “Community with a Common Destiny”. This is especially true in case of Afghnaistan and Tajikistan.” 

Ms. Pratibha Mehta, UNDP Resident Representative highlighted the importance of establishing cooperation between Tajikistan and Afghanistan on disaster response. In particular, she said: “Increasing scale and frequency of disasters due to climate change necessitates countries to cooperate with each other and UNDP will continue its facilitation in this matter”.

As the result of the meeting, the parties reached an agreement to sign a protocol of the meeting with priority areas for cooperation indicated.