OSCE completes training course on avalanche safety within EU-funded project for Tajikistan's Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe completed a capacity-building training course on avalanche safety for representatives of Tajikistan’s Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence (CoESCD) on 15 March 2024 in the Varzob district, outskirts of Dushanbe.  The event was conducted as part of the OSCE’s project on the Stabilization of Tajikistan’s southern borders with Afghanistan, funded by the European Union. 

Designed to enhance preparedness and response capabilities, the two-week course boasted a cohort of 20 participants, including 18 rescuers and two national instructors. The participants, all male, represented Rapid Response Units strategically stationed across Tajikistan's Sughd, Khatlon, and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province (GBAO) regions. Focusing on critical skills such as the identification of avalanche zones, risk assessment procedures, and the proficient handling of search, extraction, and transportation operations for victims, the course was set to elevate the expertise and readiness of the country's emergency response teams. Practical sessions were conducted in the avalanche danger zones of the Maikhura base of the CoESCD in Varzob district. When weather conditions allowed, participants used the knowledge in practice in the avalanche-prone zone. During the training’s delivery, more than 40 avalanches were registered. Participants got immediate and practical experience and were involved in extracting 50 vehicles from the snow and providing transportation for victims.

As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthen Tajikistan's capacity to respond to natural disasters and ensure stability in the border area, this initiative exemplifies collaborative efforts between OSCE, the European Union, and local authorities, with a shared goal of ensuring the safety and security of the region.