OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe completes third EU-funded training course on sustained field operation capacity for Tajik rescuers
The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe completed a four-week training course on Sustained Field Operation Capacity for representatives of Tajikistan’s Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence (Committee) in Bokhtar city of the Khatlon region on 12 March 2021.
The course aimed to improve the skills and capacities of the rescuers, using practical exercises in different situations, which will enhance their conduct during complex rescue operations in difficult field conditions all over Tajikistan.
During the training course, another group of 18 rescuers from Khatlon (in addition to the 64 rescuers trained previously) refreshed their skills in military/topography map reading and orientation, trace tracking, and river crossing, as well as in search-and-rescue operations in mountainous and water areas, in transport and collapsed buildings and during mudflows, avalanches and road accidents. Participants also learned about legal, human rights and gender-related aspects of conducting rescue operations.
Classes were delivered by representatives of the Committee and the OSCE.
Lieutenant General Rustam Nazarzoda, Chairperson of Tajikistan’s Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence said that this is the first seminar held for a regional level rescue team, which brings the total number of seminars organized by the OSCE for the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense Rescue Unit to five. “We highly appreciate this training activity as it has not been conducted at the regional level before. The goal is the same - to save lives of people affected by natural disasters. I express my gratitude to the OSCE, the EU, the Committee’s Central Office and the Regional Administration for organizing such a seminar to improve rescuers skills. We are glad that a local specialist with the knowledge of disasters prevalent in the region was involved in holding these training courses.”
Naimjon Hojimatov, Commander of the Special Rapid Response Rescue Team of the Committee in Bokhtar city said: “During the four-week training course, we improved and enhanced our search and rescue knowledge both theoretically and practically. In the future, we plan to use new and digital technologies in our daily rescuing activities. New methods of search and rescue operations in various situations and first aid skills will be applied into practice to rescue victims affected by disasters.”
“Three cycles of five training courses on Sustained Field Operational Capacity, Advanced First Aid and Winter Specialization have been conducted for the representatives of the Committee. So far, ten male trainers and a local female trainer conducted the courses. In addition, 82 training participants, including 11 women, benefited from those courses,” said Valeriu Chiveri, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. “At the request of the Committee, regional rescuers were also involved in the training courses. Close and well-maintained co-operation between the Committee and the Office allows us to conduct the training courses in a proper way and achieve the expected results. It would have been impossible to achieve the results of the training course and the entire project without the significant financial contribution of the European Union.”
Petra Gašpárová, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Tajikistan said: “It is a pleasure to see that the EU-funded programme on “Stabilization of Tajikistan’s southern border region with Afghanistan” contributes to the development of skills and capacities for civil protection and emergency response. Efficient co-ordination and professional rescue or emergency operations help save lives, but also significantly contribute to security in the border areas.”