TAJIKISTAN
FOCUS and Oxfam Collaborate in Disaster Reduction Activities and Provides Expertise to Mission East and Oxfam
FOCUS and Oxfam Great Britain (Oxfam) have signed an agreement to collaborate under the their respective DIPECHO 2007-2008 grants to share geographic information system (GIS) services. Harnessing its own expertise in the Gorno Badakhshan region, FOCUS will assist Oxfam’s disaster risk reduction activities in eastern Khatlon. In addition, FOCUS conducted training on geographic information system (GIS) theory and field application including the use of GPS to Mission East and Oxfam staff to further their respective DIPECHO activities.
Okmamad Debris Flow
The village of Okmamad, in Badakhshan, is faced with the constant threat of mudslides and rockfall from mudflows brought on by rain or melting snow. FOCUS targeted this vulnerable village for intervention under the second phase of the “Fostering Disaster Resilient Communities in Isolated Mountain Environments” project, funded by the European Union’s DIPECHO programme. FOCUS geologists, social mobilizers and engineers conducted a comprehensive risk assessment and built a channel to retain debris. A test of the community’s resilience came in late June, when community members heard the rumble of a debris flow. They reinforced the sides of the channel so that debris would remain in the channel thereby preventing a potential disaster. Ayombek Pallaev, a member of the community’s disaster response team, noted that FOCUS made the community members feel that “[somebody] is taking care of us, and we are not alone.”
Harnessing its own expertise in the Gorno Badakhshan region, FOCUS will assist Oxfam’s
disaster risk reduction activities in eastern Khatlon
Mudflow in Darwaz
Heavy rains triggered a severe mudflow in the village of Shikev in the Darwaz District of Badakhshan in late July. As a result, a car bridge on the Khorog-Dushanbe road was shifted by almost a meter off its original position and several homes were destroyed. A joint assessment by the Government and Committee of Emergency Situations (CoES) of Badakhshan and FOCUS resulted in affected households being temporarily relocated with neighbours. FOCUS, in coordination with the Government and CoES, initiated relief efforts by providing food, tents and other emergency supplies to families. The FOCUS team also recommended the reconstruction of the damaged water channel to support the rehabilitation of 200 hectares of impacted arable land.
DIPECHO Team Trains Youth to Become Community Assets
August 2007 saw the completion of twenty-two disaster awareness training sessions for young individuals conducted throughout Badakhshan. FOCUS’ DIPECHO team held invigorating workshops for youth participants on disaster awareness and preparedness, presenting modules on natural disasters most prevalent in Badakhshan and conducting interactive question-answer sessions to review knowledge. An important objective of the camp was to ensure that youth were able to pass critical learning on to their families and communities. The 2007 DIPECHO training sessions will reach over 1,500 children and many more family and community members.
Heavy rains triggered a severe mudflow in the village of Shikev in the Darwaz District of Badakhshan in late July
For further information, please contact your nearest FOCUS office whose details can be found under Contact. FOCUS. Source.
Ismailimail 