Caspian-2026 Exercises: We Hope the Experience Gained Will Be Used to Protect the People of Turkmenistan

Caspian-2026 Exercises: We Hope the Experience Gained Will Be Used to Protect the People of Turkmenistan International “Caspian-2026” emergency response exercises were held in Astrakhan with the participation of rescue services from Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. According to published information, participants practiced firefighting, search and evacuation operations, rescuing people on land and water, as well as responding to accidents and chemical hazards. Turkmenistan’s participation in such international exercises is a positive development. However, it is especially important that the knowledge and experience gained benefit not only state institutions, but above all the people of the country. The Dayanç Civil Movement Human Rights Platform hopes that the authorities of Turkmenistan will pay much greater attention to transparency and effective emergency response. In the event of fires, floods, storms, industrial accidents, natural disasters, or other emergencies, the public must receive accurate and timely information. Concealing such incidents or failing to provide official explanations can create additional risks, fuel rumours, and make it more difficult to assist those affected. People must know what has happened, whether there is a danger to the population, where they can seek help, which areas may need to be evacuated, and what measures are being taken by the relevant state services. It is equally important to establish an effective system of assistance for victims. People who lose their homes or property as a result of an emergency should be able to receive temporary accommodation, medical care, social and psychological support, and material assistance. We also believe that Turkmenistan should develop a volunteer rescue and humanitarian movement. Properly trained volunteers could support professional emergency services in searching for missing persons, evacuating residents, delivering water, food and essential supplies, organising temporary assistance points, and supporting affected families. For this purpose, a safe and clear system should be created for the training and registration of volunteers and for their coordination with emergency services. The experience of many countries shows that active participation by civil society during emergencies can help save lives. International exercises have real value when the knowledge gained is translated into practical mechanisms for protecting the population. We hope that Turkmenistan’s participation in the “Caspian-2026” exercises will become another step toward building an open, professional, and people-centred emergency response system in which the lives and safety of citizens are the highest priority.