Mahbub Sharif, UNICEF Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, said: “Training of teachers and students of the schools on basic skills and knowledge on decreasing risks from potential natural and man-caused disasters will allow to ensure secure environment for development of children. Over 5,000 teachers from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan will receive information, provided today at the training, which will help to saving of children lives at emergency situations.”

The training was organized within the framework of the realization of UNICEF sub-regional project “Assisting to decrease risk from potential disasters in vulnerable communities in Central Asia”, which is supported by the European Commission’s humanitarian aid department.

Representatives of the UN gathered in Kobe, Japan, in 2005 and approved action plan for uniting efforts on decreasing risks from disasters and vulnerabilities to potential threats from natural and man-caused character.

Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan also joined to implementation of the agreement on realization of the plan.

Training is carried out at assistance of two international experts, working for UNICEF. Participants were selected among representatives of education system, education and emergency ministries of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

Central Asian region is prone to disasters regularly, which expose lives of many people to risks. All of these negatively affect economic growth and development of the countries.