LocationsCeremony of handover of heavy machinery to the Agency for Land Reclamation and Irrigation
April 6, 2023
Dushanbe, Tajikistan - On April 5th, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Tajikistan handed over heavy machinery to the Agency for Land Reclamation and Irrigation (ALRI) as part of the project "Strengthening community resilience to climate-induced disasters through nature-based solutions" financed by the government of Japan. The handover ceremony took place at the ALRI technical base and was attended by representatives from UNDP Tajikistan, ALRI, and the Embassy of Japan.
During the ceremony, the UNDP Tajikistan Resident Representative, Mr. Lenni Montiel, gave a welcome address and spoke about the project's integrated approach and importance in terms of improving communities’ resilience through mitigation works to climate induced disasters. The heavy machinery, which included two truck crane manipulators, a heavy-duty dump truck, and a road towing vehicle with a semi-trailer, were procured for national ALRI, as well as an excavator and a trailer for cleaning the Tebalay canal and carrying out mitigation works for the Kulob region.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mr. Lenni Montiel, UNDP Tajikistan Resident Representative, emphasized the importance of investing in initiatives that strengthen community resilience to climate-induced natural hazards. "The equipment will serve the purposes mentioned in reducing the impact of climate change and will be instrumental in enhancing community resilience and improving readiness to confront future challenges" said Mr. Montiel.
The Ambassador of Japan to Tajikistan, H.E. Mr. Aiki Toshihiro, also delivered welcoming remarks and expressed his satisfaction with the progress made under the project. He mentioned that Japan is committed to supporting Tajikistan's efforts to tackle climate change and related issues.
As mentioned during the ceremony "We are grateful to UNDP Tajikistan and the Government of Japan for their support in this project," said Mr. Davlatzoda Zafarbek, Director of ALRI. "The heavy machinery will allow us to carry out essential tasks, such as cleaning and mitigation works, and enhance our efforts to reduce the impact of climate change in Tajikistan."
The ceremony also included a signing of the handover certificate by Mr. Montiel and Mr. Davlatzoda Zafarbek, Director of ALRI, which marked the official handover of the heavy machinery to ALRI.
UNDP Tajikistan's project, "Strengthening community resilience to climate-induced disasters through nature-based solutions," financed by the government of Japan, addresses the severe consequences of shifting climatic conditions that threaten Tajikistan's social and economic stability.
In May 2021, floods caused substantial loss of life and property in Khatlon Province, making 300,000 people vulnerable and at risk due to the uncontrolled discharge of water through the Tebalay River. To increase community resilience, the project used an integrated approach in the Tebalay watershed, including conducting a hydrometeorological hazards assessment and designing and implementing watershed management activities prioritized by local stakeholders. The project also provided heavy machinery to national and regional agencies for mitigating the impact of climate change. An early warning system was installed to inform local population at risk during the floods, and Community Emergency Response Teams were established and trained in essential skills. Other activities included fencing eroded lands, carrying out awareness-raising campaigns and simulation exercises, and supporting the production of metal nets to strengthen riverbanks in Sh. Shohin, Muminobod districts and Kulob city of Khatlon region. These measures enhance community resilience and improve readiness to confront future challenges. The UNDP Tajikistan project's integrated approach serves as a model for effective disaster risk reduction in vulnerable areas. The project received generous financial support from the Government of Japan, and the UNDP Tajikistan remains committed to supporting Tajikistan's efforts towards a more resilient future.
