Mine Risk Education for Tajikistan's Frontier Guards

MRE training was held in nine border units of Khatlon and Sughd Regions in summer 2016 with USDOS financial support. Its aim was to make border patrols properly aware of the danger of landmines/ERWs. A total of 215 frontier guards from frontier units based in Khatlon region and Sughd region were given comprehensive information on safe behavior about mines and on mine hazards. The MRE training held in each border unit provided educational materials and presentations were also given. 

The Mine Risk Education supported sessions and classes supplying a wide range of information and educational materials teaching frontier guards how to recognize hazardous areas and how to act safely so as to minimize casualties. It also aimed to develop their understanding of their mine action role in the country and of how to reduce the risk of death or injury among soldiers from landmines.

MRE is deemed to be crucial for frontier officers and soldiers. The frontier checkpoints in the Tajik-Afghan and Tajik-Uzbek border areas have benefited from the landmine/antipersonnel mine hazard training. Frontier post and checkpoint commanders and officers regard MRE material as a valuable training resource. MRE has promoted good cooperation with frontier units in the southern and northern border areas of Tajikistan.

Tajikistan National Mine Action Centre (TNMAC) supports continued effective collaboration with the State Committee of the Border of the Republic of Tajikistan to develop MRE training to protect patrols serving on the frontier. The MRE provides a secure environment for training frontier guards in how to deal safely with landmine hazards. TNMAC promotes MRE training to develop landmine hazard knowledge and safety skills in order to eliminate the risk of death and injury from landmines in frontier posts and units. The trainings gave proper awareness to the senior military staff and soldiers to reduce casualties among border patrols. The project added new criteria to the framework of the National MRE Strategy in Tajikistan Mine Action under Ottawa Convention.