Meeting of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Tajikistan

The eighth National Platform meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction of Tajikistan was held in the business center “Dushanbe Plaza” on 3 June 2016 with the support of United Nations Development Programme in Tajikistan.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Rustam Nazarzoda, Chairman of the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan also acting as the First Deputy of the National Platform for DRR. The meeting was attended by the members of the National Platform representing 17 ministries and state agencies, and REACT partners including the Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan, UNDP, UN WFP, UNICEF, World Bank, OSCE, International Federation of Red Crescent Society, German Red Cross, ACTED, OXFAM, FOCUS, and Mercy Corps.

During the meeting participants reviewed the implementation of National Disaster Risk Management Strategy for 2005-2015, discussed the upcoming Regional Forum on disaster risk reduction for the countries of Central Asia and South Caucasus, the implementation of the recommendations of the Sendai Framework on disaster risk reduction for 2015-2030 in the Republic of Tajikistan. As well the meeting included presentations by UNDP and DIPECHO partners on their recovery and disaster risk reduction activities were also delivered.

Considering the completion of the National Disaster Risk Management Strategy (2010-2015) and new priorities under Sendai Disaster Risk Reduction Framework, the National Platform members unanimously took the decision to establish a Working Group to develop a new National Strategy on Disaster Risk Management (2016-2030) with 4-5 year cycles.

Mr. Jan Harfst, Country Director, UNDP Tajikistan mentioned that UNDP is committed to support the development of the new DRM Strategy. To ensure a concerted approach in implementation of the new Strategy, Mr. Nazarzoda suggested strengthening the coordination between ministries and state agencies and international organizations for more effective investments into sustainable disaster risk reduction activities in Tajikistan.

The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Tajikistan was established as part of the State Commission for Emergency Situations of the Government of Republic of Tajikistan in March, 2012 by a decree of the Government. The Platform is a consultative and advisory body which functions, and is supported, though mechanisms established to coordinate the disaster management activities in Tajikistan.