The geophysical and hydro-meteorological environments of both Tajikistan and Afghanistan place the two countries among the most high risk regions globally. This is further exacerbated by the changing patterns both of global environment and climate change and political developments in both countries.

The region is one of the most isolated in Central Asia and is characterized by severe climatic conditions (e.g. temperatures variations between +50C in low lands and -60C in mountainous areas), high ruggedness of the topography and proneness to a variety of natural hazards, such as earthquakes, landslides, mudflows, floods and droughts, land erosion etc.

While the countries share more or less similar natural hazards profile due to similarity of the landscape and climate conditions, the national capacities to deal with the hazards differ very much. Capacity building support by the international community was different in focus and thus placed the countries at varying levels in terms of national, institutional and community-level capacities to manage and reduce the risk of disasters. Natural disasters, apart of the obvious destructive impact on lives and livelihoods, hamper development pace and empower population, severely affecting those vulnerable.

As a part of a complex approach to poverty reduction efforts UNDP Tajikistan undertook activities to mitigate risk of natural disasters within its Tajik – Afghan Poverty Reduction Initiative (TAPRI).

UNDP through its Disaster Risk Management Programme rolled out multifaceted intervention, aiming at identification of existing natural hazards in the border areas, implementing community-level risk mitigation activities, preparing to reduce the impact of emergencies when they occur and bring together both countries in a policy dialogue to strengthen cooperation in the field of disaster reduction.

In April 2012 UNDP finalized the Hazard Characterization Study and presented the results to emergency managers. The Study describes natural hazards existing in the border areas, visualized in hazards maps, accompanied by GIS-based databases on the findings.

Flood protection embankment structures along the Panj River were constructed in Hamadoni and Shurabad districts of Tajikistan to protect the population of three rural communities from negative impact of possible floods. The activities on physical structures to reduce risk of disasters was coupled with awareness raising campaign and training to help people better understand the existing risk and teach them on how to behave before, during and after the disasters.

As part of supporting Afghan regional government to be better prepared to respond effectively to disasters UNDP procured and handed over to the Afghan National Disaster Management Authorities a reserve of non-food emergency items. The provided items, including emergency shelter/tents, kitchen utensils, mattresses and blankets, hygiene items etc for 200 families, were delivered to Takhor and Kunduz provinces of Afghanistan.

To support political discussions on trans-border cooperation between the two countries, UNDP facilitated two study tours for 10 representatives of Afghan National Disaster Management Authority from Takhor and Kunduz provinces to Tajikistan to discuss the issues of common interest with their Tajik counterparts – representatives of the Committee of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Tajikistan. As part of the study tours Afghan disaster managers participated in the International Conference on Sarez Lake, visited Training centre of the Committee of Emergency Situations and made field visits to get acquainted with the community-based disaster risk reduction projects, implemented in Tajikistan. Experience and knowledge derived from the study tour will increase the awareness and strengthen the local capacities to manage and mitigate risks of natural disasters both in Tajikistan as well as in Afghanistan.

As a result of the visits, a Protocol of Intent was signed between the two parties, outlining main directions of future cooperation. The Protocol signified the specific areas of cooperation of both countries in disaster risk management, mitigation and early warning.

Those cover intentions to cooperate on:

• Work towards establishment of a joint early warning system in Pyanj and Amu Darya rivers;
• Support establishment of crisis management centers in bordering areas of both countries;
• Support building capacities of Afghan disaster managers by the Tajik Committee of Emergency Situations experts;
• Establishment of information sharing links between both parties.

The Protocol outlines that regular meetings and visits will be conducted by both parties to initiate the activities mentioned above in the areas of cooperation.

Likelihood of both countries to face a multiple threats of routine disasters, a continuous compound crisis and near term of catastrophic disasters remain as high and UNDP through its Disaster Risk Management Programme prioritized its activities in reducing the risks of these disasters as well as enhancing the governments capacity to be able to warn the population of possible threats, respond, coordinate and accomplish relevant recovery activities. The implementation of the current project and its accomplished results will input major improvement in UNDP’s DRM strategy and clarify the gaps that need to be addressed in forthcoming projects. Involvement of UNDP in country’s Disaster Risk Management Strategy is relatively high and activities carried out within the given project will address the outputs indicated in the national DRM strategy.

PREPARED WITH ASSISTANCE OF UNDP TAJIKISTAN