UNICEF Helps Connect a Village in Batken to the National Emergency Warning System

UNICEF has installed new emergency warning equipment at Ak-Say village school in the Leylek district of Batken province. The Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Emergency Situations has successfully connected the equipment to the national warning system, ensuring the entire village is covered. The equipment, worth over 2 million KGS (USD 23,410), is provided under a project aimed at improving the disaster preparedness of schools funded by the Government of Japan.

"The installation of this equipment is an innovative tool that will help strengthen preparedness to respond to all types of emergency situations," says Minister of Emergency Situations Boobek Ajikeev.

This equipment includes loudspeakers, amplifiers, modems to connect to the internet, and a backup power supply to ensure that it works even without electricity. The speakers are loud enough to ensure that all residents of Ak-Say village, especially children, can hear the messages broadcast during emergencies.

"Children are especially vulnerable in emergency situations like earthquakes, fires, or other disasters. We're grateful to our partners – the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Government of Japan – for supporting this initiative," says Cristina Brugiolo, UNICEF Representative in Kyrgyzstan a.i.

The national emergency warning system is designed to transmit information about emergency situations and alert the population through different channels to ensure their safety. The system is managed by the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Ak-Say is a village with about 2,761 residents located on the border with Tajikistan. More than 400 children attend the local school.