BISHKEK (TCA) — With US $11.9 million from the Government of Japan, Kyrgyzstan on March 7 launched three major programs to build up the country’s civil registry, increase capacity to respond to disasters, and make schools safer. The programs will be implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic reported on its website.
Implemented by UNDP, the civil registry program will aim to deliver a first batch of 3 million electronic ID cards and establish 150 State Registry Service offices across the country.
The disaster risk reduction program, also to be carried out by UNDP, will provide equipment to help monitor avalanches. It will also equip 22 fire stations across the country, and create an emergency 112 number in the northern regions of the country.
UNICEF will work with the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Emergency Situations, as well as the State agency responsible for housing safety for making schools and pre-schools ensure physical safety of schools to hazards and ensure children know how to protect themselves when a disaster hits.
“I believe our joint work will allow us to make an important contribution to implementation of the Agenda for the period until 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals, the Sendai Framework Program for Disaster Risk Reduction through 2030 adopted by the United Nations member countries,” said Alexander Avanessov, UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Ambassador of Japan to the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Yoshihiro Yamamura, UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Alexander Avanessov and UNICEF Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic Mrs. Yukie Mokuo attended the official ceremony to launch the three new programs.
