Tajik and Afghan experts discuss synergies between humanitarian mine action and disaster management at OSCE event

DUSHANBE, 24 April 2014 – A two-day OSCE workshop “Enhancing Mine Action Programme’s Contribution to Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery” started in Dushanbe today.

The event brought together more than 35 technical experts and practitioners working in the mine action and disaster management area from Afghanistan and Tajikistan. It is hosted by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan and  chaired jointly by the Tajikistan National Mine Action Centre and the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority.

The workshop seeks to find synergies between disaster management and humanitarian mine action sectors.

“Technical co-operation and closer interaction across the borders can serve as a catalyst of improving the situation on the ground,” said Hans-Peter Larsen, Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan. “This workshop is part of the OSCE’s efforts to facilitate such dialogue in humanitarian mine action in Central Asia, and to contribute to Afghanistan’s and Tajikistan’s long-term capabilities to enhance the safety and security of the state and the people.”

“Addressing the landmine threats demands closer co-ordination between agencies, in particular between structures dealing with humanitarian mine action and with disaster management structures,” said Muhabbat Ibrohimzoda, Director of Tajikistan National Mine Action Centre, adding that such events foster the co-operation.

“Both Afghanistan and Tajikistan are particularly prone to natural and man-made disasters, and landmine contamination is among key challenges,” emphasized Mohammad Daim Kakar, Director General of Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority. “This workshop is helping us to formalize already existing co-ordination arrangements between the two countries.”

Since 2009, the OSCE has been supporting the development of co-operative mechanisms on a technical level among states in Central Asia and Afghanistan to address concerns and challenges stemming from explosive hazards.