The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe started a four-week training course for 20 staff members of Tajikistan’s Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence (CoESCD) on 14 September.

Participants will work on improving skills required for addressing various emergencies. They will also work on methods to prepare for conducting sustainable field operations in challenging conditions typical for the Committee's area of operations. Theoretical and practical classes will be delivered by representatives of the CoESCD and the OSCE, which will  include map reading and orientation, basic alpinism and pathfinding and search and rescue operations. The course will also cover human rights and gender-related aspects of conducting rescue operations.

This is the first in a series of training courses within the 18-month EU-funded project organized to strengthen the capacity of the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence.

“Today’s training is the first action implemented through a new type of programme, which allows us to invest simultaneously in both security and sustainable development. The project will bring together security providers and civilian actors, from both sides of the Tajik – Afghan border, and equip them to better prevent and effectively manage different types of crisis” – noted Ms. Petra Gašparova, Chargé d’affaires of the European Union in Tajikistan.

The aim of the project “Stabilisation of Tajikistan’s southern border region with Afghanistan” is to address various threats and risks related to natural disasters, which Tajikistan frequently faces along its southern border. The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe implements it.

“The project stands for the close co-operation the OSCE and the Committee have built over the last years, and it also demonstrates good co-operation between the OSCE and EU in enhancing capacity of the host country in addressing relevant challenges,” said Valeriu Chiveri, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. “CoESCD officials representing different regions of the country will be trained in this training, and I am convinced that completing the training courses will enable the rescuers to react effectively to natural disasters and other crises and thereby to positively contribute to the overall security of Tajikistan”.

In addition to training courses, support by providing specialized equipment for first responders is also included in the project. Additionally, the project will assist in conducting renovation and construction work of the Committee’s training centre in Karatag in order to be able to host training courses on a regular basis.

EU has promoted security and effective border management in Tajikistan since 2003, notably through regional Border Management Central Asia Programme (BOMCA) and Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP). Through Instrument contributing to Peace and Stability, the EU helps building critical infrastructure the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast, helps stabilizing the border regions, promoting cross-border dialogue for tolerance and peace, supports actions aiming at preventing violent extremism or fighting disinformation.