Early warnings and early action save lives and livelihoods, and keep people on track for sustainable development
On 29 and 30 August, 2023 the delegation of the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan (RCST) led by its Deputy Secretary General Ms. Dilorom Mirova, supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has actively participated in the first national consultation to deliver on the Early Warnings for All initiative. This two-day consultation is being organized by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan with the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and IFRC.
The IFRC is leading on preparedness to respond to early warnings, which is the pillar 4, one of the four pillars of Multi-Hazard Early Warning System.
“The Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan, as a member of the IFRC and a leading national and local humanitarian actor in Tajikistan, is helping drive this initiative in Tajikistan,” says Mme Dilorom Mirova, the RCST Deputy Secretary General.
Indeed, early warnings are much needed in Tajikistan, which is a highly disaster-prone country, with mountainous terrain accounting for 93 percent of its territory. Floods, mudflows, landslides, earthquake, and droughts are the most frequent hazards. Yet, these hazards do not need to lead to disasters that kill and destroy people and local communities. Proper early warnings and capacity for early action before disasters hit can provide a chance to avert and minimize disaster impacts, save lives and livelihoods.
In Tajikistan, backed by the IFRC network, the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan has invested in building community resilience particularly in disaster management, through disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and emergency response. Recently the National Society has also incorporated elements of climate change adaptation into its programming.
The Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan has the structure in place to support the roll out of Pillar 4, not only in early warnings but also in early action. Across Tajikistan, the National Society has 69 branches, 149 paid staff and a network of 12,000 volunteers countrywide.
“Our volunteers and the National Society’s Local Disaster Management Committees will be the backbone for people-centered, locally-led approaches under the Early Warnings for All initiative. They will also help to facilitate local-level early action, including simulation exercises,” says Mme Dilorom Mirova, the RCST Deputy Secretary General.
Disaster Management is one of the core strategic directions and responsibilities of the Red Crescent Society in Tajikistan as specified in its Strategic plans and reflected in the government mandated auxiliary role. Therefore, Disaster Management programming is a long-term commitment and fundamental area of focus for the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan.
To summarize, the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan will contribute to successful Early Warnings for All in Tajikistan through:
- Actioning the Early Warnings for All initiative at national and community levels,
- With whole-of society, people-centered, and locally-led approaches, and
- Promoting cooperation with partners to enhance cross-pillar alignment and coordination.
We all bear responsibilities, and cooperation is key. The Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan, with its auxiliary role to public authorities in the humanitarian field is supporting the government to deliver Early Warnings for All, also other international agreements such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Early warnings and early action can save lives and livelihoods. We all deserve that chance. The Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan looks forward to enhancing its work with public and private sectors to help everybody to secure that chance and stay on track for sustainable development.
