DUSHANBE, July 2, 2012, Asia-Plus -- Communities in Tajikistan are frequently affected by natural disasters such as floods, landslides and mudslides. It is therefore critical to foster disaster resilience within these communities.

In an effort to address this need the European Commission (EC)’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO) in the framework of its Disaster Preparedness Program (DIPECHO) and the Aga Khan Foundation recently signed an agreement to implement the seventh DIPECHO project in Central Asia.  The project, entitled “Fostering Disaster Resilient Communities in Isolated Mountain Environments”, will be implemented by Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) in Tajikistan and Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP KG) in Kyrgyzstan.

Press release issued by FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance says that within the framework of the project, FOCUS and MSDSP KG will implement disaster risk reduction interventions, such as hazard vulnerability risk assessments, hazard mapping, escape route and safe haven planning and adult and school children awareness campaigns.  Working with the departments of Emergency Situations and other relevant government and non-government agencies in both countries, FOCUS and MSDSP KG will strengthen the capacity of local institutions and communities through programs, such as search and rescue training, mason training, school retrofitting and school safety initiatives.

ECHO and AKF/FOCUS have partnered and implemented a number of projects for over 10 years to foster disaster resiliency thereby seeking to improve the quality of life of people in Central Asia.