On June 13, RA ES Minister Davit Tonoyan and Shinichi Kitaoka, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) visited the town of Spitak of Lori region, to lay flowers on the cross stones dedicated to the memory of the victims of Spitak earthquake in 1988 and the victims of the major earthquake in Eastern Japan in 2011. The event was also attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Armenia Eiji Taguchi, Lori Governor Arthur Nalbandyan and other officials.
Since 2007, the RA ES Ministry cooperates with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), implementing numerous projects that contribute to disaster risk reduction in our country.
In his welcoming remarks, Minister of Emergency Situations D. Tonoyan, stressed, that Japan and Armenia were countries prone to earthquakes, and efforts taken towards disaster risk reduction were of vital issue, at the same time the Minister expressed gratitude to the Government and the friendly people of Japan for assistance.
– Numerous countries extended hand to Armenia in the days of Spitak earthquake. Forsooth, humanity knows no limits, and the Armenian rescuers are now ready to help other countries. Taking into consideration Japan’s experience and achievements in the fields of disaster risk management, response to emergency situations, as well as highlighting Armenia’s outstanding achievements obtained through cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, today, we assure, that we are ready to expand this cooperation.
In his speech, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Shinichi Kitaoka mentioned, that he was greatly impressed by the fact, that living thousands of miles away from his homeland Armenians pay tribute to the victims of the disaster in Japan:
– This is my first visit to Armenia. Today I have visited a place that had suffered from a devastating earthquake and I imagine your loss, and I would like to express gratitude for the proposal of sending rescue teams from Armenia after the earthquake and tsunami in 2011. I wish, that the cooperation between our countries and our peoples be stronger and more effective.
After the earthquake in Spitak, the Japanese Agency had sent 31-member rescue team and humanitarian aid to Armenia, which was the first step of cooperation.
In 2010, the Government of Japan donated 28 completely new and modern fire vehicles to the RA ES Ministry, the seismic risk assessment in the RA was also carried out thanks to Japan Agency. In 2016, the Government of Japan provided the Ministry of Emergency Situations 6 new “Mitsubishi” model vehicles, which served as mobile management and psychological assistance centers in emergencies.
During many years of cooperation, many employees of the RA MES have been trained in leading educational centers of Japan.
Currently, three landslide disaster management programs are underway and the issue of providing Armenia by another 39 new fire vehicles and ladder is under consideration.
