Press Releases

Emergency Operations Response Centre Opens in Tajikistan

IOM and the Government of Tajikistan have opened an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in the capital, Dushanbe, to support disaster response and recovery efforts in a country prone to natural disasters.

In the last 10 years, the country has suffered from repeated floods, mudslides, droughts and earthquakes. Nearly 4,900 people have lost their lives in these disasters in that time, mainly in poor rural areas.

Using the latest communications technologies, the Emergency Operations Centre will be able to respond to disasters like these to quickly reach the relevant authorities and organizations in the affected districts.

The centre, affiliated with the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense, is linked with the main regions of Khujand and Kulyab in order to provide well-timed emergency relief and help expedite evacuations of disaster-affected populations in need.

"It is our goal to be as well prepared as possible to deal with emergencies and disasters in our country. The establishment of a new EOC will support effective emergency operations and help to achieve compliance with government guidelines. I believe it's the strong relationship that we have developed with IOM and its staff that has put us one step closer to realizing this project," said Chairman of the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense, General-major Latipov.

IOM has assisted the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense in the construction of the centre and in supplying it with technical advice and tools. The centre is staffed by an experienced professional team, who will analyze, validate and effectively exchange information when activated for a response to an emergency.

"The opening of the Emergency Operations Centre is a very important step undertaken by Tajikistan's government. It shows how committed the government is to being prepared in responding to emergencies," says IOM Tajikistan Chief of Mission Zeynal Hajiyev.

The EOC, located on the outskirts of the capital, Dushanbe, has been renovated and equipped with funding from the Japanese government. As this is the first initiative of its kind, the centre will be developed further in order to improve its ability to respond to disasters.