The first coordination meeting of organizations funded through the European Commission’s Disaster preparedness program, DIPECHO, was hosted by World Vision Uzbekistan in the Uzbek capital Tashkent earlier this month, demonstrating significant progress in launching a coordinated earthquake preparedness project.

Representatives of UNICEF Uzbekistan, Red Crescent Society (RCS) Uzbekistan and World Vision Uzbekistan attended the meeting, which focused on the coordination of efforts between DIPECHO partners in order to prevent duplication of work, allocate resources efficiently, as well as to share information and opportunities to enhance each other’s performance through cooperation and coverage of geographic areas.

’Joint cooperation will ensure quality and efficiency of our work’, affirmed Hans Bederski, World Vision Uzbekistan National Country Director.

The meeting revealed major similarities in project plans of the partners, the common educational focus and their unity in striving toward one goal of reducing the risk, the possible devastation and loss of life in the case of natural disasters

World Vision concentrates its efforts in all 11 districts of the capital Tashkent, whilst UNICEF and RCS work mainly in other regions of Uzbekistan.

Each party made a presentation on its project, explaining areas of work and future plans. The following discussions demonstrated a high degree of willingness of the partners to coordinate and cooperate. They agreed to share data and information, coordinate selection of master trainers, focusing on those with previous experience in disaster risk prevention, thus ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the trainings.

In addition, issues such as the selection and training of Master Trainersdeployed training materials, the payment of trainers, and the creation of consultative centers in districts of Tashkent were discussed.

The first round of negotiations between DIPECHO partners in Uzbekistan proved successful and provided the basis for a fruitful future cooperation. The overall goal is to serve people’s well-being in Uzbekistan, and the meeting demonstrated the DIPECHO partners’ willingness and ability to do so.

World Vision Uzbekistan became a DIPECHO partner in March 2007. The European Commission’s contracting partner is World Vision Germany.