The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) completed a week of training for the Information Management and Analytical Center (IMAC) staff of Tajikistan’s Committee on Emergency Situations and Civil Defense (CoES) on February 23.
According to the WFP Country Office in Tajikistan, the first half of the course covered key features of Esri ArcGIS, a leading mapping and spatial analytics software: this included working with maps, performing basic analysis, and developing data and maps for reports. The second half focused on remote sensing analysis during the first 72 hours of an emergency response.
“In the event of natural disasters in Tajikistan, there is a high risk of disruption to food production,” says WFP Deputy Country Director Mariko Kawabata. “Helping the Government of Tajikistan prepare for emergencies and equip itself to deal with them is key to protecting the livelihoods of the most vulnerable.”
WFP, which has operated in Tajikistan since 1993, is providing technical and financial support to the CoES to strengthen its emergency preparedness and response capacity.
IMAC conducts risk assessments, and collects, analyses and disseminates data on natural disasters.
“This training will enhance capacity in the field of emergency preparedness and response as well as improving the quality of data collection and management in the event of natural disasters,” says CoES Chairman, Rustam Nazarzoda.
In line with a Memorandum of Understanding, WFP has provided CoES with IT equipment and two unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), which can monitor disaster-prone areas and create situational maps to improve preparedness and deploy in recovery efforts. WFP has also equipped a CoES warehouse with refrigeration units for the storage of perishable food items for use in emergencies.
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.
