Tajikistan: Drought - Oct 2008

22 July 2011 - This paper updates UNDP’s May 2011 analysis of emerging drought trends in the Aral Sea basin, as measured by data reported on CAWATERinfo. It also provides an initial look at the possible impact on agriculture and food security, by focusing on official food price data in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan.

Overview

It is well known that the Aral Sea Basin experiences multi-year periods of high and low water, and that low-water periods often correspond to poor harvests, higher food prices, reduced hydroelectric production, and heightened inter-state tensions in Central Asia. The most recent drought, in 2008, contributed to the “compound crisis” of water, energy, and food insecurity that particularly affected poor households in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan during that and subsequent years.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No.1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid, and in particular Article 2(f) and Article 15(3) thereof; Whereas:

(1) Central Asia regularly experiences a wide range of natural disasters and in particular landslides, mudslides, floods and earthquakes and the effect of climate change on its environment;

HIGHLIGHTS

- Acute as well as chronic malnutrition have increased significantly since January 2009. The almost double increase in wasting appears to be related to a high incidence of diarrhea in children during the summer months. Dietary diversity has improved in both children and women due to greater food availability. Both dietary diversity and nutritional status seemed to be influenced by food availability and access at the household level.

- Around 1.4 million people were identified as food insecure, 390,000 of them severely.

Note: Map production date estimated

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The organisations participating in the Mid-Year Review of the 2009 Humanitarian Food Security Appeal for Tajikistan agree that, despite national and international efforts, the humanitarian situation in Tajikistan remains severe. Multiple negative effects of the global economic and financial crises on the Tajik economy, combined with significant damage caused by natural disasters over the past year, have undermined ongoing efforts to improve the humanitarian situation.

HIGHLIGHTS

- The financial and broader economic crisis, coupled with recent increases of already high food prices, have started to more visibly impact rural households in Tajikistan. More unemployment, less remittances and even bankruptcies of small businesses have been registered.

- Around 1.4 million people were identified as food insecure. Of these, 480,000 of them severely food insecure; more than half are chronically food insecure.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - ADB Board of Directors has approved a US$5 million grant to help Central and West Asia address the impacts of climate change on the region.

The assistance will be through policy and capacity development and supporting investments in climate change adaptation.

"Climate change is taking its toll on the region, with declining crop yields, retreat of glaciers, increased diseases and heat stress, and changes in ecosystem functions," says Mark Kunzer, Environment Specialist of ADB's Central and West Asia Department.

In the future, climate change is …

This report covers the period 01/01/08 to 31/12/08.

In brief

Programme purpose: The Central Asia programmes are aligned with the Global Agenda goals to reduce the number of deaths, injuries, and impact from disasters; to reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies; to increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability; and to reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.

Programmes summary: …

This report covers the period 1 January to 31 December 2008

In brief

Programme purpose: The programmes supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Tajikistan are aligned with the Global Agenda goals to reduce the number of deaths, injuries, and impact from disasters; to reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies; to increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability; and to reduce intolerance, discrimination and …

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA (3 April, 2009) - This year, Habitat Guatemala made a tithe commitment of US$20,000 to Tajikistan. The country was selected by Europe and Central Asia office of Habitat for Humanity as a focus program for launching innovative projects and partnerships. This is the first time that a program outside of the US, Canada or Europe has tithed to this country.

In Tajikistan, the contribution from Habitat Guatemala is used to finance the installment of water filters in the Kumsangir area.

Highlights

From November 2008 to late January 2009, severe food insecurity appears to be less widespread in Tajikistan than it was in October 2008 or in April 2008. Nonetheless, chronic food insecurity remains a serious issue; results show that similar zones continue to be most affected.

=85Sughd and Khatlon remain the most food insecure regions in Tajikistan, especially the B.

United Nations Development Programme
Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS

Main Findings:

In the wake of the Gaza Crisis, the Consolidated Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory has been increased by US$ 68 million: from US$ 462 million to US$ 530 million. A Gaza Flash Appeal is currently being coordinated by OCHA, and will be officially launched on 2 February 2009.

Executive summary

In line with its strategy for 2008 to 2012, the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan is building its capacities and scaling up its services to assist the most vulnerable people in the country. This is in alignment with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' Global Agenda, thus contributing to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). At the same time it follows the Istanbul commitments and resolutions calling for a stronger engagement in migration.

Highlights

• Overall, in October and November, food security in Tajikistan was at a similar level as in April 2008.

TABOSHAR, 1 October 2008 (IRIN) - People are beginning to leave the small town of Taboshar in the northern Tajik province of Soghd due to an acute shortage of drinking water.

Fatima Umirova, 40, told IRIN: "There is no water in the houses at all. It can be found only in few water pumps on the street."

The on-street water pumps provide water for a few hours each day. "There were days when we had no water at all. People had to queue for hours to get some water...

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Tajikistan has experienced a series of economic, environmental, and social shocks over the last two years, which have increased food insecurity and reduced the capacity of the most vulnerable to deal with further shocks.

(Dushanbe/Dubai/New York/Geneva, 25 September, 2008): The United Nations, in consultation with the Government of Tajikistan and other humanitarian partners, has issued a Humanitarian Food Security Appeal for $34,746,555 to provide a temporary safety net for 800,000 of the most vulnerable people across the country.

Recent assessments indicate that a further 1.3 million people out of the total population of 6.7 million are at risk of food shortages as a combined result of reduced agricultural output …