The European Union and OSCE support Tajikistan’s Committee of Emergency Situations in renovating the Training Centre in Karatag

On 5 July, the Delegation of the European Union in Tajikistan together with the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe held a handover ceremony to commemorate the completion of the first phase of EU –funded project for renovation of the Training Centre of Tajikistan’s Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence (Committee) in Karatag, Shahrinav district.

The construction was implemented by the OSCE programme office in Dushanbe, and included renovation and equipment of training classes, a canteen, checkpoint and dormitories for 120 trainees and trainers, including two rooms reserved for women participants. . This enhancement will significantly increase the Training Centre’s capability to conduct training courses for Tajik rescuers to protect the communities from the disruptive impacts of natural disasters.

High-level representatives of Tajikistan’s government, European Union, UN agencies, embassies, International Organizations and NGOs participated in the handover ceremony.

“The finalisation of the I phase of the EU-funded project “Stabilization of Tajikistan’s southern borders with Afghanistan” -marks an important a milestone in the trilateral cooperation between the European Union, the OSCE programme office and the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defence (CoESCD). Primarily by substantively strengthening, the professional capabilities of Tajikistan’s Border troops and the CoESCD, to more effectively respond to natural disasters and illicit activities in the border regions, through tailored practical trainings. To facilitate these trainings the CoESCD Training Center for Rescuers in Karatagh has undergone major renovation works. This includes external engineering structures like water supply, sewerage and electricity, as well as the construction of a security check-point, a two-story classroom, dormitory and sports facility accommodating 120 students, a fully independent canteen serving 80 people as well as the installation of fire alarm and video surveillance systems. For the phase I the EU has provided 3.3 MEUR. The II phase of the project has just been launched and will contribute to adding additional classrooms, administration buildings, auditorium, gymnasium, first aid training stations and sanitary facilities to the Committee’s Training Centre in Karatagh. In addition, 270 officers of the Committee will undergo 14 training courses in order to better manage field operations in the border regions.  

In the II phase, the Programme Office plans to renovate classroom and administration buildings, auditorium, gymnasium, first aid station and sanitary facility in the Committee’s Training Centre in Karatag. In addition, 270 officers of the Committee will undergo 14 training courses to enhance their capabilities to sustain field operations” – noted H.E. Marilyn Josefson, Ambassador of the European Union in Tajikistan.

The Chairperson of Tajikistan’s Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence, General Colonel of police Rustam Nazarzoda, expressed his gratitude to the European Union and the OSCE for renovating the Centre. He emphasized that there is no analogue of this Centre in Central Asia, and it allows training not only national rescuers but also rescuers from partnering neighbour countries.

“I’m delighted to be here today and see the results of our significant work together. I believe that the Training Centre will help the Committee address the challenges posed by disasters and contribute to the overall increase in security of Tajik citizens,” said Ambassador Vuk Zugic, Acting Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe.

The renovation initiative is part of the OSCE’s project on the Stabilization of Tajikistan’s southern borders with Afghanistan, funded by the European Union. For Phase I the European Union has provided EUR 3.3 MLN, and for the phase II - EUR 4.6 MLN. The project aims to strengthen the professional capacities of both Tajikistan’s Border Troops and the Committee to tackle illicit activities in border regions and respond to natural disasters.

In the project's first phase, the Programme Office conducted 13 training courses for 220 officers of the Committee. In the second phase, the Programme Office plans to renovate classroom and administration buildings, auditorium, gymnasium, first aid station and sanitary facility in the Committee’s Training Centre in Karatag. In addition, 270 officers of the Committee will undergo 14 training courses to enhance their capabilities to sustain field operations.