A key meeting of the National Red Crescent Societies of Central Asia took place in the city of Khujand, marking an important step toward strengthening the region’s collective preparedness for emergencies. The event was organized with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The main focus of the gathering was the upcoming update of the Regional Contingency Plan for Disaster Response — a strategic framework that defines how Central Asian countries can act together when rapid, coordinated assistance is needed. For the first time in this format, representatives from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan presented their national strategies, shared experiences from their Rapid Response Teams, and discussed ways to make these systems more compatible and effective across borders.

Participants paid special attention to how national early warning systems function, how coordination with governmental emergency agencies is organized, and how response teams are trained and equipped. These in-depth presentations helped identify not only differences but also many shared approaches that can serve as the foundation for unified regional standards.

The meeting in Khujand effectively marked the launch of a major regional effort — the creation of an updated plan that will bring together the best practices from all five countries. The ultimate goal is clear and strategically vital: to ensure that Red Crescent teams from across Central Asia can work together swiftly and efficiently, regardless of national borders. Common standards for training, equipment, and information exchange will help accelerate response times and enable the delivery of humanitarian assistance within hours, not days.

Work on the new document will continue in the coming months at the expert level. Yet even now, Khujand stands as a milestone — the starting point of a new stage of cooperation: closer, more coordinated, and focused on building a resilient future for Central Asia in the face of natural disasters.