DUSHANBE , May 3, Asia-Plus - The Government of Canada acting through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has granted US$500,000 to support two projects that will be implemented by the United Nations Development Program in Tajikistan .  

According to information from the UNDP Country Office in Tajikistan , the first project entitled “Strengthening Capacity of Management of Emergencies in Tajikistan ” will allow strengthening disaster risk management capacity in Tajikistan at central and local levels through activities in four components, enabling communities in high-risk areas to become more disaster resilient and to receive proper support from central level. The project comprises four major components: 1) a unified disaster risk management coordination partnership (REACT); 2) build capacity at local and central level for disaster information management and analysis; 3) enhancing national management of natural disasters through updated training for officials at all levels; and 4) Strengthening the disaster resilience of high-risk communities.  CIDA has provided US$250,000 for implementing this project.

  The same amount has been provided by CIDA for implementing the “Strengthening of Local Governance in Eastern Khatlon ” project.  This project is aimed at strengthening the policy links between the districts, the jamoats and the population by encouraging participatory planning processes. At the same time it will support rational and responsive decision making, corresponding to longer-term financial capacities thereby improving the prospects for financial sustainability using local resources. The project comprises two major components: 1) local capacity building and 2) participatory development planning and decision-making.  Trainings, technical assistance and finances will be integrated such that a constant transfer of knowledge accompanies and builds on practical experience on the ground. A key element towards achieving sustained development is community involvement in local decision making.