Building Safer Communities through UN–Kyrgyzstan Cooperation

the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the United Nations system in support of national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. It focuses on four areas: equitable access to quality social services and decent work; inclusive green socio-economic development; climate action, disaster risk management and environmental protection; and just, accountable and inclusive institutions that promote peace, cohesion and human rights. 

The UNSDCF succeeds the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2018–2022. While the UNDAF also provided a common framework for UN support, the new-generation Cooperation Framework reflects broader UN development system reform, with a stronger emphasis on integrated action across the UN system, national ownership, partnerships, measurable results and leaving no one behind. An independent evaluation of the current Framework is now under way to understand what has worked, where challenges remain and why. Its findings and lessons will help shape the next Cooperation Framework beyond 2027, so that future UN support responds to Kyrgyzstan’s evolving priorities and builds on approaches that have demonstrated results.

Strengthening preparedness at every level

Disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness are part of this broader partnership. UN support to the Kyrgyz Republic extends across the system — from helping children and communities understand what to do in an emergency, to strengthening the skills of public officials, improving early warning and risk analysis, and supporting more coordinated and inclusive disaster management.

The examples below represent only a small part of this wider cooperation.

As part of the ongoing evaluation of the UNSDCF 2023–2027, Colonel Ilias Ibraimov, Deputy Head of the Training and Research Centre of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, reflected on how cooperation with the United Nations has contributed to stronger emergency preparedness and greater resilience in Kyrgyzstan.

Turning knowledge into preparedness

One area of cooperation has focused on making practical emergency preparedness information available to children, schools and communities.

Series of animated videos developed for children provide simple guidance on how to respond to natural and human-made emergencies. The videos are shared through the Ministry of Emergency Situations’ digital platforms and incorporated into school life-safety lessons.

Annual training for teachers reinforces the materials and helps integrate preparedness into the education system. By presenting emergency guidance in a simple and accessible format, these resources can help children recognize risks, understand what action to take and share preparedness messages with their families and communities.

Strengthening the people and institutions that respond

Cooperation has also helped strengthen the capacity of professionals responsible for emergency preparedness and response.

An animated training courses have been developed for personnel of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Civil Protection Service, which brings together 12 government bodies. The courses address the prevention of sexual harassment and the provision of psychological first aid during emergencies.

Such training goes beyond building individual skills. It helps institutions develop a shared understanding of responsibilities and response standards, contributing to more coordinated, inclusive and people-centered action when emergencies occur.

Connecting preparedness, risk information and response

These initiatives are part of much wider UN system support for disaster risk reduction and resilience.

In 2025, UN agencies supported work to improve disaster-loss data and standardized reporting; strengthen climate and disaster risk monitoring; assess mudflow and glacial-lake risks; and expand geographic information system capacities. Cooperation also supported health emergency preparedness and One Health approaches.

Other areas of support included climate risk insurance and anticipatory action, community-based early warning systems, arrangements to prevent and respond to gender-based violence during emergencies, local climate and disaster risk planning, and the pre-positioning of emergency food assistance for remote and mountainous areas.

Together, these efforts help connect risk information, preparedness, financing, protection and emergency response across institutions and communities. They also show why disaster risk reduction requires cooperation across sectors rather than action by any single institution or agency.

From institutional capacity to community resilience

Colonel Ibraimov emphasized that stronger institutions need to be matched by continued efforts to ensure that people throughout the country have access to practical preparedness information and training.

This is particularly important for remote communities and for people who may face additional barriers in accessing information or services during an emergency.

“Information and services are more accessible in the capital, but many remote communities still need greater support,” he said. “We should strengthen training and awareness so that people, especially vulnerable groups, know how to act during emergencies.”

This priority is consistent with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which emphasizes understanding disaster risk, strengthening risk governance, investing in resilience and improving preparedness.

In practice, this means making sure that people know what to do before an emergency occurs, that institutions can work together effectively when it does, and that preparedness measures reach communities and people who face the greatest risks.

Learning from today to strengthen future cooperation

Colonel Ibraimov’s reflections are also part of a larger question being examined through the evaluation of the UNSDCF 2023–2027: What difference has cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the United Nations made, what approaches have worked well, and where is further progress needed?

The evaluation looks beyond individual activities. It helps assess how different parts of the UN system have worked together, how effectively support has responded to national priorities and people’s needs, and what can be improved.

These lessons are particularly important as the Government and the United Nations prepare the next Cooperation Framework beyond 2027. Evidence from the evaluation can help identify approaches worth continuing or expanding, areas where cooperation should change, and emerging challenges that need greater attention.

In disaster risk reduction, this means building on progress already made while continuing to strengthen institutions, improve access to risk information and preparedness, and ensure that communities throughout Kyrgyzstan are better equipped to anticipate, prepare for and respond to emergencies.