Dushanbe, September 18, 2024, The Europe Today – Over the past decade, Tajikistan has endured more than 4,000 natural disasters, affecting 411 individuals and causing substantial damage, announced Rustam Nazarzoda, Chairman of the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense. Speaking at the 9th meeting on disaster risk reduction, organized by the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Nazarzoda outlined the growing severity of the issue, as leaders and representatives from ECO member states gathered in Dushanbe.
According to Nazarzoda, the financial toll of these disasters has exceeded $500 million, highlighting a sharp rise in both the frequency and impact of emergencies compared to previous decades. “The number of emergencies has increased by 2.3 times compared to the previous decade, and the amount of damage has increased by 1.2 times,” he stated.
He attributed the increase to Tajikistan’s geographical vulnerability, noting that 93% of the country’s territory is mountainous, which amplifies the risk of natural calamities. Climate change, he added, is further exacerbating the situation.
Nazarzoda also pointed to a broader regional concern, stating that over 70 million people in the ECO region have been affected by natural disasters in the past 10 years.
The Dushanbe meeting is being attended by disaster risk management officials from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan, as well as representatives from diplomatic missions and international organizations based in Tajikistan. The gathering is seen as a key step in coordinating efforts to mitigate the rising risks of natural disasters across the ECO region.
The discussion underscores the urgent need for enhanced cooperation among ECO member states to strengthen disaster resilience and reduce the human and economic toll of these calamities.
