PANJAKENT, November 10, 2008 Asia-Plus  -- A six-day seminar for 28 teachers from Sughd’s Panjakent, Isfara, Kuhistoni Mastchoh, Ayni, Shahriston, Ghonchi, Asht and Jabborrasulov districts as well as the city of Khujand on improvement of local community’s emergency response capacities was launched in Khujand today. 

Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, Majid Bozorov of the branch of Tajikistan’s Red Crescent Society (RCS) in Panjakent, said the seminar is part of the Disaster Preparedness Program of the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (DIPECHO).  According to him, hands-on training in providing first aid will be conducted for the teachers participating in the seminar.  

The main objective of the seminar is to make them aware of issues related to better preparing for and protect themselves against natural disasters.  After participation in the seminar, the teachers will conduct similar training for pupils at their schools, Bozorov said. 

We will recall that Central Asia has been benefiting from DIPECHO funding since 2003.  The projects are implemented by the European Commission''s operational partners, such as non governmental organizations, United Nations agencies and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including national societies.