Kyrgyzstan: Winter Energy Crisis OCHA Situation Report - 12 Jan 2009

HIGHLIGHTS

- Flash Appeal remains severely under funded with only USD 2,093,924 (10.1%) of original request for USD 20,586,803 received.

- General population and social infrastructure are subject to prolonged (6-18 h) power cuts and service interruption, leading to serious disruption of basic services, including health.

- Food aid distribution will begin before end of January despite severe lack of funding.

SITUATION

1. Since the onset of the cold season, the government has resumed severe electricity rationing (6 to 18 hours per day) throughout the country including the capital city Bishkek. Scheduled and unintended power cuts are affecting many social and mass care facilities and service interruption have been reported by media and NGOs. Nearly 800 electrically heated schools have begun two month holidays to save electricity.

2. On 12 January, according to the Kyrgyz national energy company, the water volume in the country's major energy producing Toktoqul dam was 75% of its volume for the same day a year ago. On the same day the water outflow continued to be much higher than the water inflow into the reservoir (407 cbm/sec compared to 161 cbm/sec), leading to a further decrease of the water levels in the dam.

3. On 1 January, gas prices to consumers were increased by 80% compared to last year, which puts further strain on vulnerable households. Annual inflation in 2008 had already reached 19.8% - the second highest in the CIS region. A further increase in the cost of gas imports in 2009 will certainly add upward pressure on prices of food and heating.

4. In Bishkek, health authorities reported a significant increase in the number of persons treated for carbon monoxide poisoning during last eight weeks compared to the same period last year (71 compared to 29). This may indicate that urban populations, in the absence of electricity, have to use alternative fuels for heating purposes.

5. Amid fears that poorer farmers have been unable to buy enough fodder for their livestock for the winter, there are persistent reports from around the country that farmers are now selling their livestock.

NATIONAL RESPONSE

6. The government has concluded a gas supply agreement with Uzbekistan, which will provide 650 million cubic meters of natural gas to Kyrgyzstan in 2009 - 13% less than last year. The gas imports will provide some alternative to electrical power consumption but will not be sufficient to eliminate the current electrical power rationing.

7. After an upgrade the Bishkek Thermal-Electrical Plant increased its output from 230 MW to 250 MW and in Osh city up to 12 MW.

8. According to the Minister of Industry and Energy, the energy saving plan has so far resulted in 37% reduction of energy consumption compared to last year.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

9. As of 6 January, projects in the Flash Appeal received USD 2,093,924 or only 10.1% of the total requested amount, most of which (94.1%) was provided through the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Projects in Health, and Water and Sanitation sectors received no funds at all. 10. USAID has donated 275 tones of wheat seeds amounting to USD 300,000 to be distributed to farmers through local partners. 11. WFP has set up an office in Kyrgyzstan and began procurement and delivery of food aid into the country. The first 16 wagons of wheat flour have arrived and distribution of aid to beneficiaries is expected to begin before the end of January. WFP is utilizing USD 1,350,000 from CERF funds and a USD 100,000 contribution from the Turkish government as well its internal funds. 12. FAO is the process of procuring fodder, de-worming and other supplies for its distribution programme. FAO is utilizing USD 400,000 from CERF funds. 13. UNICEF has received USD 109,000 from CERF to support shelters for street children, and USD 125,000 from the Netherlands UNICEF Committee, which they are using to provide support to institutions for disabled children.

14. UNHCR has received USD 110,000 from CERF to provide food rations to 1,000 asylum seekers and refugees

COORDINATION

15. Humanitarian coordination is currently facilitated by a humanitarian coordination specialist in the UN RC Unit in Kyrgyzstan and through the sectoral leads.

OUTSTANDING NEEDS

16. With temperatures now well below freezing and important power cuts interrupting social services, including medical services, substantial additional funding for the flash appeal is urgently needed. Priority sectors include health, water and sanitation and food security. 17. This report is based on information provided by the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan. 18. This situation report, together with further information on other ongoing emergencies is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

Contact details

UN Offices in Kyrgyzstan
Mr. Neal Walker Resident Coordinator
Ms. Aynura Alymbekova, Emergencies focal point, Fax: + 996 312 611 191 Tel: + 996 312 611 224

OCHA Office in Almaty
Ms. Gabriella Waaijman, +7 727 2528 643 +7 7777 809 071, E-mail: waaijman@un.org
Mr. Ali Buzurukov, + 7 727 2528 643 +7 7777 809 073, E-mail: buzurukov@un.org (Russian speaking)

Desk Officer/Focal Points:
Ms. Séverine Rey (New York), Direct Tel: + 1 917 367 5336, E-mail: rey@un.org
Ms. Pieter Neussl (Geneva), Office Tel: +41 22 917 4329, E-mail: neussl@un.org

Press Contact: (NY)
Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Office Tel: + 1 917-367-5126 Office Fax: + 1 212-963-1312, Email: bunker@un.org

Press Contact: (GVA)
Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Office Tel: + 41 22 917 26 53, Office Fax: + 41 22 917 00 20, E-mail: byrs@un.org

Press Contact: (GVA)
Ms. Nadia Evans, Office Tel: + 971 50 227 9808, E-mail: evans@un.org