Dear President Bakiev,

I am writing to urge your government to ensure that asylum seekers and refugees in Kyrgyzstan fully enjoy the protections to which they are entitled under international and Kyrgyz refugee law. Human Rights Watch also urges you to ensure that the government investigates the recent disappearance from Kyrgyzstan of an Uzbek asylum seeker and to actively inquire after and monitor the situation of individuals returned

Kojomkulov told IRIN there is no electricity in their village for 12 hours a day: 1200-1800 and 000-0600. "Luckily, we just recently got connected to the natural gas grid and we can cook and heat water thanks to that. However, those who don't have natural gas

Highlights

In November there have been several positive developments indicating the increasing engagement of Gulf countries in the international humanitarian system. On 24 November, His Highness Sheikh

Acute humanitarian needs now exist in Kyrgyzstan, caused by a confluence of factors. Last year's harsh winter, followed by low precipitation during the spring and summer of 2008, has depleted Kyrgyzstan's hydroelectric resources and caused power cuts just when electricity is most needed for home heating. Soaring food and fuel prices, adverse weather and declining remittances have weakened the purchasing power of the most vulnerable and contributed to a precarious food security situation for some. The October 2008 WFP Emergency Food Security Assessment

By Gulnara Mambetalieva and Mirgul Akimova in Bishkek (RCA No. 557, 27-Nov-08)

Kyrgyzstan faces uncertain times as winter approaches and electricity generation is so low that the government has been unable to honour a pledge to end power cuts.

Since August, the country has suffered rotating power cuts as part of an austerity programme to save water for a time , but the energy ministry promised these would end in October, well before temperatures started falling.

"Winter is a brutal time in Kyrgyzstan. We will be providing food to those who are unable to meet their basic food needs due to the past year's high food and fuel prices," said Daly Belgasmi, WFP Regional Director for the Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

WASHINGTON, November 25, 2008 - The World Bank's Board of Directors today approved IDA credit and grant in the total amount of US $11 million for the Energy Emergency Assistance Project. The Energy Emergency Assistance Project finances the provision of equipment, materials, and spare parts to increase power and heat generation at the Bishkek and Osh Combined Heat and Power Plants (CHPs). In particular, fuel oil, coal handling equipment, and other equipment and materials are being supplied for repair of the equipment in CHPs.

The working adult population - mainly sheep herders - usually retires early along with the rest of their family members. But that evening, many were outside in the local schoolyard waiting to hear the results of a local election. As a result, many were spared from being buried beneath the rubble that was once their homes. Sadly, many of their children were not.

Losing loved ones