OSCE to work with the Armenian Rescue Service to improve emergency preparedness

YEREVAN, 8 April 2008 - The OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Armenian Rescue Service (ARS) signed an implementation agreement today that aims to improve the Public Information Centre of the Armenian Rescue Service.

The agreement, which outlines a framework of co-operation for 2008, launches a new OSCE-supported project, which includes technical support to the Centre, training of staff, production of "Emergency Channel" TV programmes and enhancing the "Emergency" newspaper.

"It is a prime duty of any government to help prevent and alleviate as much as possible the consequences of natural and man-made disasters. The OSCE, as one of the key regional security organizations, is tasked with assisting the Armenian government in improving security for its population", said Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. "This includes physical security and we are pleased to be able to assist the Armenian Government in fulfilling its plans in the field of disaster management."

The project follows a request from the ARS and the assessment conducted by the OSCE in December 2007, which identified main directions for future strategic development of the Centre. The project complements efforts by other organizations and is part of the ARS Development Strategy for 2008-2012.

"Emergency information is vital since people need to know what threats and risks are there. People need to be aware of what the authorities are doing and they need to know what they should do, how they should act during emergencies," said General-Lieutenant Edik Barseghyan, Head of the Armenian Rescue Service. "In this respect, accurate, comprehensive and timely information would prevent chaos and panic, save human lives and would contribute to confident dialogue with the population."

The mandate of the Public Information Centre is to provide information and training on a regular basis to raise preparedness of governmental and self-governmental bodies, mass media and the population to natural and man-made disasters. Various public events such as discussions, presentations and meetings will be organized at the Centre throughout the project duration.