Uzbekistan rolls out mosque loudspeaker system for emergency alerts in pilot project

As reported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on March 24, the system was introduced in cooperation with the country's Ministry of Emergency Situations to expand early warning coverage.

Under the initiative, special devices have been installed in mosques located near residential areas. This allows emergency messages from the ministry to be broadcast through external loudspeakers and delivered quickly to a wide audience. So far, the equipment has been installed in 272 mosques across seven regions — Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, Namangan, Samarkand, Syrdarya, Tashkent, and Fergana.

Mosques were selected due to their presence in nearly all settlements and their role as widely trusted social institutions. They are also equipped with high-powered external loudspeakers with a coverage radius of 500 to 2,000 meters. According to project estimates, the system could reach around 6.5 million people, including men, women, children, and vulnerable groups.

An additional advantage of this alert channel is its ability to function even during disruptions to mobile communication or electricity supply.

In addition, with support from UNDP and funding from the Green Climate Fund, 28 large outdoor screens have been installed along major roads and in crowded areas to further enhance public warning systems.