Assistance to Tajikistan OCHA Situation Update No. 33

GENERAL
Heavy snow falls in the second half of February paralyzed road communication between some areas of Tajikistan, especially to/from/within Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast. 7 casualties in GBAO and suspected deaths of 6 people in the Varzob valley were reported by the Ministry of Emergencies of RT. GoT requested assistance to improve road access to affected areas. WFP and Aga Khan Development Network mobilized to help with road clearing efforts.

A massive mudslide on the morning of the 26th of February has severely affected the village of Chorvodor in South East Khatlon Oblast. The slide was relatively slow moving, allowing all villagers to escape their houses before it struck. 181 people in the village have been affected, with 11 houses completely destroyed and 22 severely damaged. Relief efforts have been coordinated between the Ministry of Emergency situations, the National Red Crescent Society and WFP.

The Aid Coordination Unit of RT issued its first information directory of Development Partner Profiles for 2003, which includes the data on various development actors, their activities and future perspectives as well as information on economic activities of local bodies. It is planned to have this publication updated and issued on annual basis.

Major political events and visits:

International Conference on Peace and Accord in Almaty, 1st official visit of Tajik Minister for Foreign Affairs to the United Kingdom, Inter-state Council of the Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC) in Moscow, credentials presented by the Ambassadors of the Netherlands, Korea, Indonesia, Israel, Belgium, Egypt, Sri Lanka and representative of Vatican.

Donors' missions:

International Monetary Fund, DFID, EC delegation and Canadian Embassy from Almaty.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

The Government-led working groups on the Millennium Development Goals have been meeting to prepare the Tajik report, which is scheduled for completion at the end of March. UN agencies have been welcome participants in these meetings, and have been requested to suggest and provide data from independent studies for inclusion in the report.

World Bank prepared its Country Assistance Strategy for Tajikistan up to July 2005 which envisages a lending program of up to US$80 million, mainly, to support GOT' PRSP.

More then 40 participants, including representatives of the Ministry of Health, UN Agencies and International Organizations and NGOs attended the Inter-agency Health Coordination meeting re-started with the support of the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The first such meeting in many months was attended by two of the newly appointed deputy Ministers of Health, who committed to strengthening dialogue with international organizations and the restructured ministry in the realm of healthcare reform.

AFGHANISTAN

A follow up mission of Afghan medical specialists are visiting areas of remote Kwahan province in Afghan Badakhshan, affected by a major whooping cough outbreak. Having been dropped off by helicopter, they are expected to return to Kabul via Tajikistan. WHO, OCHA continue to facilitate the mission.

US Ambassador in Tajikistan announced plans of the USG to allocate US$ 12 million for the construction of a bridge between Tajikistan and Afghanistan over the river Pyanj near the crossing point Nizhniy Pyanj (Sherkhan Bandar).

Consular Office of Afghanistan was opened in Khorog, GBAO.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

WFP Second cycle Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) Food distribution began in Sovetsky district with total distribution of 337.061 MT of various food commodities to 5,811 targeted- beneficiaries. The Navobod Psychiatric hospital covered under WFP VGF program received three-month norm and Supplementary feeding project is going on accordingly. A total quantity of 504.082 MT of various food commodities were distributed in 10 Jamoats of Rasht district for schoolchildren, teachers and technical staff under School Feeding (SF) Take Home ration. Under Food-For-Work project (reconstruction of bridges) in Shurobod and Kulob districts, the damaged bridges of Dashtijum (Shurobod) and Dahana (Kulob) villages were fully reconstructed and Parts of flooded roads in Shurobod and Kulob districts were rehabilitated as well, providing access to the inhabitants to other districts.

In Kulob and Dangara cities, 110 trainees under Food-For-Training (FFT) undergone and completed training in sewing and have now acquired necessary skills. The targeted-beneficiaries have already started production of national wears and now generate incomes that provides sustainable livelihood to their families.

Series of seminars on Land Privatization and Organization of Private Farms and Associations were conducted under the irrigation component of the OSRO/TAJ/201/SWE project. Seminars were held in jamoats of Yangiabad, Okkaza, Tajikabad (Vakhsh District); Namuna, Kuldimon (Pyanj District); Nosir Khisrav, U. Nazarov and dekhkan farms of Tagoymurod, Khurramzod, Hazrat, Arab (Kabadiyan District). The subjects of Land Privatization, Private Farming, Agricultural Taxation, Water Use, Water Code, Water Users Associations and Farming Technology were discussed among participants - rural farmers and householders of the project area. The community-based FAO Tajikistan seminars will be continued in Bishkent, Djilikul, Gissar and Shahrinav Districts.

On 2 February 2003 Mr. Nesim Tumkaya, UNFPA Country Director visited Tajikistan. The aim of the visit is to be familiarized with the UNFPA activities in the country. During his visit Mr. Tumkaya had meetings with representatives of different Ministries, Committees, Embassies and International Organizations, accredited in Tajikistan, international and local NGOs. On meetings mutual relation and further cooperation of these institutions with UNFPA was discussed. Also, he visited Tajik State National University, namely Accounting Faculty with the purpose to get familiar with 0undertaken activities and existing problems. From 26 January to 7 February 2003 Ms. Beret Austveg, International Consultant visited Tajikistan. The aim of the visit is to close the UNFPA funded project executed by WHO "Strengthening of the Ministry of Health and National Reproductive Health Centers Management Capacity and Developing of Reproductive Within the program of visit Ms. Beret had several meetings with WHO Representatives, "Somoni" group, Brest Feeding Center, HIV/AIDS Center, etc. From 13-18 February 2003 Mr. Richard Makalew, International Consultant visited Tajikistan. The aim of the visit to evaluate the UNFPA funded project "Population Development Strategy" executed by Commission on Population and Development (CPD). Within the frame of his visit Mr. Makalew had meetings with representatives of Government, CPD, Strategic Research Center, State Statistical Committee, etc.

UNFPA made financial contribution in the amount of US $ 5000 to the process of preparation of the CCA and UNDAF. This is in addition to the technical contribution of UNFPA staff by way of their active participation in the process. UNFPA supported the printing of the "Strategic Plan on Prevention of HIV/AIDS in Tajikistan in 2002-2005". The Strategic Plan is developed by the HIV/AIDS Center and will be distributed among Ministries, Institutions, Local Hukumats, UNAIDS Theme Group, NGOs, etc.

PLEDGES AND CONTRIBUTIONS

U.S. State Department donated $5.7 million worth medicines to Tajikistan, which includes 645 boxes of medicines and medical supplies to be distributed to the various health institutions in the country.

Tajikistan will receive EUR 0.5 mln. out of nearly EUR 49.1 allocated by SIDA for disaster measures in reply to the United Nation's annual requests for aid regarding different countries and regions.

Update on CAP 2002 (as of 7 March 2003)

Update on CAP 2003 (as of 7 March 2003)