Temperatures

During the past week, temperatures averaged near to slightly below normal across most of Central Asia. Temperatures are forecast to average 2 to 6 degrees C above normal during the second week of May. Minimum temperatures are forecast to remain above freezing except for the highest elevations of Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Maximum temperatures are forecast to occasionally warm above 30 degrees C across southwest Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan during the next week.

Precipitation

Overview

Posted April 19, 2013 by Nicolas Giroux & filed under Central Asia, Development 2.0, Disaster response.

Today mobile phones are more than a way to communicate over long distances.

9 April 2013 – The international community is losing vast amounts of agricultural production due to the effects of continuing land degradation such as desertification, a new United Nations study has warned, adding that without sustainable land management, development initiatives the world over will be stymied.

ALMATY, 14 March 2013 - Regional cooperation on disaster risk reduction in Central Asia and the South Caucasus received a major boost this week as representatives from eight countries consulted with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) on a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.

Protect Refugees, Asylum Seekers From Forced Returns

(Bishkek, February 26, 2013) – An Uzbek refugee has been missing from Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, since February 18, 2013, Human Rights Watch said today. Another asylum seeker from Uzbekistan is in custody while he contests an extradition order issued by the Kyrgyz authorities in violation of international law.

FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT

• The area planted with winter crops in 2012/13 is forecast to be similar to the good level in the previous year

• Cereal production in 2012 is estimated to be above the five-year average

• Import requirements are forecast to decrease significantly

• Concerns have been raised on food security for people on low incomes

The area planted with winter crops in 2012/13 is forecast to be similar to the good level in the previous year

Frequent small to medium-scale emergencies raged through the region in 2012, inflicting the most damage on rural households. Support from humanitarian and development partners was often necessary to help affected people back onto their feet, learn from the disaster and better prepare for future shocks.

By RFE/RL

January 07, 2013

Tensions between the main ethnic groups of the Ferghana Valley flared again over the weekend, rekindling memories of clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz in June 2010 that left hundreds dead and injured and caused widespread property damage.

Residents of the Uzbek enclave of Soh in southern Kyrgyzstan reportedly attacked Kyrgyz border guards and took Kyrgyz citizens hostage on January 5.