KULOB, October 29, 2008, Asia-Plus — A seminar for teachers from Kulob and Vose district on how to respond to emergency situations was launched in Kulob on October 29.
Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, one of trainers, Qurbonali Homidov, said that the seminar had been organized by international organization Mission East (Denmark) under support of the European Commission.
During the seminar that will last till November 7, some 100 teachers from Kulob and Vose will be instructed. “These teachers will conduct training in their classes,” Homidov said.
According to him, the Kulob and Vose district have been chosen because they lie on the flood plain of the Yakhsou River, which flows through a wide, flat valley that separates two rows of tall mountains. Every spring, melting snow from the mountains turns the Yakhsou River into a vigorous force that overruns the dyke system and threatens the lives and property of those who live beside it.
Homidov noted that an exercise for rescue groups started in the village of Qainar, Vose district on October 29 as well. These village rescue groups (VRGs) were trained by emergencies experts under financial support of the Mission East, he said.
Mission East has focused on twenty four villages in this vulnerable area for its Flood Management Project. The challenge is to give the people of this region the means to cope with their disasters by themselves. Mission East”s efforts include installing an upstream early warning system, refurbishing structures outside of the flood zone to be used as evacuation points, training women in post flood hygiene measures, and establishing the VRGs to contend with the floods in the absence of government assistance.
Mission East has worked in Tajikistan since 1997. Its strategy in Tajikistan focuses on improving livelihoods for vulnerable households and communities, with a particular emphasis on community mobilization and community management.
