LocationsEnhancing disaster response measures in Kyrgyzstan: construction of a new fire unit in Suzak village completed
March 15, 2024
Fir station opening in Suzak district, Jalal-Abad province.
15 March 2024, Suzak – Today in Suzak village of the Jalal-Abad oblast an official ceremony dedicated to the opening and successful start of operation of the fire and rescue unit №65 within the framework of trilateral cooperation between the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Government of the Republic of Korea, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) was held.
The ceremony in Suzak was attended by the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in Jalal-Abad Oblast, Minister of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to the Kyrgyz Republic, KOICA Country Director, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic.
The completion of the fire and rescue unit in Suzak village is the result of joint efforts by KOICA and the Ministry of Emergency Situations as part of a broader initiative to build four fire and rescue units across Kyrgyzstan, including Bishkek, Osh, and Cholpon-Ata (Issyk-Kul oblast). The cooperation is aimed not only at strengthening the disaster risk management capacity of the Kyrgyz Republic but also at supplying modern firefighting equipment and machinery and improving the overall quality of firefighting services. In addition to technical assistance, UNDP has improved working conditions for firefighters, mainstreamed gender equality, increased universal access to fire departments and ensured adherence to sustainable development principles.
During the ceremony, the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Jalal-Abad province Absattar Syrgabaev emphasized: “In the Suzak distrisct, which is the second most populous region of our republic, there was an urgent need to build a new fire and rescue unit and strengthen its technical base. This fire and rescue unit will serve more than 175 thousand people living in five villages of the Suzak district.”
The Minister of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic Boobek Azhikeev noted: “The grant project totaling almost 8 million US dollars within the framework of trilateral cooperation to improve the capacity of the fire and rescue service is bearing fruit. The construction of a fire and rescue unit in Bishkek will be completed soon. Therefore, we sincerely thank our partners and hope that our further friendship will develop in a comprehensive direction.”
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Lee Won-jae highlighted that: “The Kyrgyz Republic is a key partner country for our government, and we will continue to strengthen development cooperation between the two countries to achieve the Kyrgyz government's national development strategy and improve the quality of life of its people.”
KOICA Country Director Ms. Lim So Yeon noted: “In the southern part of the country, including the Jalal-Abad region, we plan to promote projects to strengthen student nutrition and health, and we will also make efforts to respond to climate change in the future.”
Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative, emphasized the importance of disaster risk reduction and response to climate emergencies. She noted: “We have joined forces to improve access to timely assistance in case of emergencies. Having a modern infrastructure that can withstand and prevent loss and damage to people and the country is an important component of the entire disaster risk management and sustainable development system.”
UNDP has successfully modernized fire protection facilities and equipment to reduce loss of life and physical damage due to fires. These stations are not only a contribution to safety but also a response to the challenges presented by changes in the natural environment. Through cooperation, both locally and internationally, UNDP strives to create not only a safe but also a sustainable future for the citizens of Kyrgyzstan.
As of today, three fire and rescue units have been completed and are ready for operation, and work on a fourth unit in Bishkek is scheduled to be completed by the end of this summer. The successful completion of the fire stations marks a significant step towards a safer and more secure future for the people of Kyrgyzstan.
The construction and equipping of the fire and rescue units is being carried out under a joint project of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, KOICA, and UNDP "Improving the level of public safety from fires by strengthening the capacity of the fire and rescue service in the Kyrgyz Republic" with a total budget of $7.7 million. The project aims to reduce the vulnerability of the population to fires and create conditions for sustainable development by modernizing and equipping fire and rescue units, as well as improving the regulatory framework of the fire and rescue service to protect the population, especially the most vulnerable groups such as women and children.
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