Project facts:

Duration: 1.3.2009 - 30.06.2010(Phase I)
Current Phase: Sept. 2011 - Sept. 2013 (Phase II)                     
Overall Budget for Phase I: CHF 1’449,387
SDC Contribution for Phase I: CHF 643,725
Overall Budget for Phase II: CHF 1'442'856
SDC Contribution: CHF 799,131
Location: Republic of Tajikistan
Partners: Ministry of Education, CoES, Ministry of Health, various NGOs
Implementing Agency: Focus Humanitarian Assistance
Donor: SDC HA, DFID, FOCUS/AKDN/WHH 
 
Background 

Tajikistan is highly prone to natural disasters; hazards and disasters hamper and delay the economic development of the region. Natural disasters in Tajikistan caused a total damage of more than USD 300 Mio between 2000 and 2007. The adequate management of disasters is held back by poor resources, difficult communication and bad access to remote areas.So called “remote geohazards” name all hazards like rapid erosion of dam lakes, glacier lake outburst floods (GLOF) or landslides blocking the runoff of a valley. The origin is located in remote areas, several ten kilometres away from possible impact areas. Contrary to hazards with local origin and local impact, they are seldom recognized before they occur. The impact is of regional scale and effects are usually disastrous. Although the physical cause of many natural events cannot be removed, geologic and hydrologic investigation, good engineering practices, awareness, preparedness and land use management regulations can reduce the risks. 

Overall goal

Reduced disaster risk in Tajikistan through strengthened capacity of the national institutions to monitor and respond to remote hazards and improved disaster resilience of the communities at risk. 

Project objectives 

GLOF Hazard Risk assessments for Zerafshan valley, Jirgital district and in GBAO districts conducted and reports/ recommendations produced and disseminated;

Communities in GBAO have increased resiliency to the risk of GLOFs through awareness, preparedness, monitoring and early-warning measures;

Scientific specialists in Tajikistan are more aware of GLOF risk reduction experience in Tajikistan and have access to supporting materials;Impact assessment data is available providing insight to the awareness and preparedness levels of communities both before and after the project interventions. 

Project implementation

The current project has a close link to the other SDC funded “Remote Geohazards in South-Western Pamir” project (2002 – 2005). It implements conclusions and recommendations of this first project not yet taken up. In addition, it can build on the methodology developed during this project. The project output will be achieved by significant capacity building of government institutions.  Specifically the Hydrometeorology department, Geology department and Committee of Emergency staff will take active part in the GLOF risk assessments throughout the country. 

These individuals will both learn techniques to assess the risk of GLOFs and take active part in developing reports on the results of the assessment side-by-side with specialists from Europe (analyzing remote sensing data, training in and using of GIS to develop maps, conduct spatial information analysis). Finally, staff members will be trained in using glacial lake monitoring tools and GPS devices.

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Contacts:
Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan