24.10.2023
Collaboration between the PRECA Project and the Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction
Dr. Nigel Lightfoot, an expert in Testing and Exercising of the PRECA project, met with Mr. Serik Aubakirov, the Director of the Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction (CESDRR), on 16 October 2023, Almaty, Kazakhstan. The CESDRR, which was initiated by Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Ministries of Emergency Situations, plays a vital role in enhancing preparedness and response to emergencies in Central Asia. This center has been accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan as an international organization.
The primary objectives of the CESDRR are to establish effective mechanisms for reducing the risk of emergencies, mitigating their consequences, coordinating joint responses through agreed-upon measures by all parties involved, and fostering regional and international cooperation.
During the meeting, Dr. Nigel Lightfoot introduced the PRECA project and provided insights into the project's future plans.
One of the key discussion points during the meeting between Mr. Serik Aubakirov and Dr. Nigel Lightfoot was cooperation within PRECA EXERCISE 2024, which is planned to be held in May 2024. This event will be held in the form of a tabletop exercise, during which participants will test their national systems of response and management of Mass Gathering incidents.
In the frame of the collaboration between the PRECA Project and CESDRR, an opening session of the PRECA Regional Working Group Meeting was organized at the CESDRR office in Almaty on 17 October 2023. This session served as a platform for further discussions on cooperation in Central Asia.
During the opening session, the participants were greeted by Mr. Bakhtiyor Gulyamov, Head of the EU CBRN CoE Regional Secretariat for Central Asia, Mr. Serik Aubakirov, Director of the CESDRR, and Mr. Andrew Proudlove, PRECA Team Leader.