Tajikistan validates the results of its disaster risk management system stress test

The initial workshop to stress test Tajikistan’s disaster risk management system was held in July 2022, with the analysis of the stress test, compiled by UNDRR, validated by the stakeholders during Friday’s workshop. These workshops follow a comprehensive capacity assessment and planning exercise of Tajikistan’s disaster risk management system, which was conducted by the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense and UNDRR in May 2022. The assessment revealed challenges in the existing disaster risk management system and suggested a targeted plan for strengthening it, which were also presented at Friday’s workshop.

The stress test analysis is the first of its kind supported by UNDRR in Central Asia. Its results will contribute to further strengthening the DRM system and an increased understanding of the complex disaster risks in the country.

Mr. Tojiddin Mahmadov, the representative of the Main Department for Protection of Population and Territories of the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense highlighted: “Strengthening national institutional capacity for disaster prevention and preparedness, taking into account the occurrence of possible stresses, such as complex and cascading disasters, are among the main areas of action of the National Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for Disaster Risk Reduction 2030 in the development of a disaster risk management system”

Mr. William Lindberg, Programme Manager of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Tajikistan, said that “the EU is strongly committed to continue supporting the DRR sector in the country. This is reflected in our 2021-2027 budget, where DRR has an important role under one of the identified priority areas. We are currently engaging with our partners, including UNDRR, to map the sector and identify potential areas of support in the future”.

Mr. Abdurahim Muhidov, UNDRR Regional Programme Coordinator, noted: “The ability of a country to predict, assess, and reduce risk and minimize possible losses depends on the national vision and commitment. Such ability can be created with collective effort with engagement of all stakeholders”.

Background information

The EU-funded project “Strengthening disaster resilience and accelerating the implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Central Asia”, implemented by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), supports countries of the region in implementing the Sendai Framework priorities. The project supports strengthening regional coordination, development of regional DRR strategy, national disaster loss accounting systems, and community-level disaster risk reduction. On the local level, the project supports the development of disaster resilience strategies of capital cities. For this project, the EU committed EUR 3,750,000 for the three-year implementation.