LocationsEnhancing disaster response measures in Kyrgyzstan: a new fire and rescue station in Osh is officially open
January 25, 2024
26 January 2024, Osh – The official opening ceremony of the new fire and rescue station held today in Osh city. The construction of the new facility became possible within the framework of trilateral cooperation between the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Government of the Republic of Koreathrough the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The opening ceremony was attended by the First Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic Azamat Mambetov, Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in Osh province Shailoobek Kozubaev, Deputy Mayor of Osh Nurbek Kadyrov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to the Kyrgyz Republic Lee Wonjae, KOICA Country Director Yi Jongsoo, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic Alexandra Solovieva.
The Osh fire and rescue station is one of three others built jointly by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, KOICA, and UNDP as part of a broader initiative to strengthen the country’s disaster risk management capacity. New fire and rescue stations have also been built in the cities of Cholpon-Ata (Issyk-Kul province), in the village of Suzak (Jalal-Abad province), and the construction of another one is underway in Bishkek. This initiative includes not only the construction of the facilities but also the supply of modern firefighting equipment and machinery, as well as improving the overall quality of firefighting services. Along with technical assistance, UNDP has improved working conditions for firefighters, mainstreamed gender equality, expanded universal access to fire services and ensured sustainability.
First Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic Azamat Mambetov noted the timeliness of the project, given the annual increase in the number of fires, especially during the heating season, and said: «We are glad that we are successfully implementing this project within trilateral cooperation. Opening new fire stations will help prevent more accidents. The new facilities are equipped with special equipment, and modern vehicles suitable for extinguishing fires. In addition, more than a hundred specialists went through professional training provided by the Korean counterparts, and 20 employees of fire and rescue departments were trained in Korea.”
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Lee Wonjae noted: “Osh is a major city in the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Osh fires station, completed with the interest and support of officials from both countries, will play an important role in protecting residents of the Osh region from various fires and disasters based on the latest infrastructure and operating equipment."
KOICA Country Director Mr. Jongsu Yi emphasized that: “As a reliable partner of the Kyrgyz government, KOICA plans to continue to actively pursue development cooperation for the socio-economic development of Kyrgyzstan.”
Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative, emphasized the importance of disaster risk reduction and response to climate emergencies. At the opening of the station, Alexandra Solovieva noted: “We recognize that emergency situations require a specialized approach. Today's opening is an important step in complementing existing infrastructure, strengthening national capacities and improving the effectiveness of response to fires and other emergencies. As statistics from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic note, the growing number of fires and threats associated with urbanization, as well as climate change require constant attention and action. The result of the project throughout the country will be the creation of conditions for timely assistance to more than 400,000 people in emergencies. Reducing response times and equipping with modern equipment will significantly improve the overall security of the region.”
UNDP has successfully upgraded fire protection facilities and equipment to reduce the number of casualties and physical damage caused by fires. Strengthening firefighting capabilities aims to protect vulnerable populations, especially women and children. These stations are not only a contribution to urban safety but also a response to the challenges caused by environmental changes. Through collaboration, both locally and internationally, UNDP strives to create a safe and sustainable future for the citizens of Kyrgyzstan. To date, the construction of three fire and rescue units is completed and ready to operate, the fourth unit in Bishkek is underway. The successful completion of the fire stations marks a significant step towards a safer and more resilient future for the people of Kyrgyzstan.
The construction and equipment of fire and rescue units is carried out within the framework of the joint project of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, KOICA and UNDP “Improvement of fire safety of population by strengthening capacity of the Fire and Rescue Services in the Kyrgyz Republic” with a total budget of 6.9 million USD. 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 to protect the population, especially the most vulnerable groups such as women and children.
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UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at www.kg.undp.org or follow at @UNDPKG.
Contacts for the media:
Ainagul Abdrakhmanova, Communications Officer at +996775755776
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