Tajikistan: Cold Wave/Compound crisis OCHA Situation Report No. 5

This report is based on information provided by the Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team (REACT), the Committee of Emergency Situations and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan.

HIGHLIGHTS

Long awaited warmer temperatures in Tajikistan have replaced snow with intense rains and avalanches, while the East of the country and mountainous regions continue to suffer from cold weather conditions which are expected to continue at least until the end of March.

The National Committee on Emergency Situation has warned of further frequency and intensity of avalanches, mudflows and floods in the next few weeks, representing a significant danger to people's lives and property.

SITUATION

1. Long awaited warmer temperatures in Tajikistan have replaced snow with intense rains and avalanches, while the East of the country and mountainous regions continue to suffer from cold weather conditions which are expected to continue at least until the end of March.

2. As a result of increased avalanches and mudflows a number of critical access roads have been closed, including the Dushanbe-Khujand road connecting the South and North of the country.

3. The National Committee on Emergency Situation has warned of further frequency and intensity of avalanches, mudflows and floods in the next few weeks, representing a significant danger to people's lives and property. UNCT is assessing the situation in regard to possible impact of the spring related disasters. Areas that have been identified as most at risk to floods and mudflows are:

- Southern side of Gissar mountain range

- Northern side of Turkistan mountain range

- Basin of Zeravshan River

- Basin of Surhob and Obihingou rivers

4. The Ministry of Health has warned of a worsening epidemiological situation in the country related to damage of sewage and water supply systems during the winter season.

5. The water inflow into Norak Reservoir has increased to 201 m3/sec (compare to 100 m3/sec on 19 February and 36 m3/sec on 28 January) but the water level continues to remain close to critical level due to increased outflow (255 m3/sec). Dushanbe central heating station reports that only 7, 500 metric tones of low sulfur residual oil (mazut) remain available. Additional quantities procured by UNDP and World Bank will be supplied during March.

NEEDS ASSESSMENT

6. After the launch of the Flash Appeal, agencies and government have continued assessing needs in various sectors. FAO has undertaken, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, a rapid assessment of the agriculture sector. The assessment confirms level of losses of approximately USD 250 million for livestock and agriculture. It also indicates that the most immediate needs are in the livestock sector, in the provision of animal feed as well as veterinary services. The next most immediate needs would be for the planting of potatoes in spring and cereal production, in particular maize but also some wheat in higher locations, all essential for rural household food security. During April and May, FAO, WFP and UNICEF are planning a comprehensive livelihoods assessment to look at agriculture, food security and nutrition.

7. To get a better understanding of the situation, the Global Logistics Cluster Support Cell sent a Logistics Response Team to Tajikistan to assess logistical support needs. Based on their assessment, setting up of a logistics cluster in Tajikistan was recommended; this should help responding to the current situation while setting up a structure that could be expanded to deal with possible future emergencies in the country.

For detailed information please contact:

Contact Details:

Tel: + 41-22-917 12 34
Fax: + 41 22 917 0023
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only:
Tel. + 41 22 917 2010

UN Office in Tajikistan
Mr. Michael Jones
Resident Coordinator
Tel: + 992 47 441 0680

OCHA Office in Almaty:
Ms. Gabriella Waaijman
E-mail: waaijman@un.org
Tel: + 7 727 2528 643
+ 7 777 7809 071

Mr. Ali Buzurukov
E-mail: buzurukov@un.org
Tel: + 7 727 2528 643
(English and Russian speaking)
+ 7 777 7809 073

Desk Officers/Focal Points:

Ms. Séverine Rey
E-mail: rey@un.org (New York)
Tel. + 1 917 367 5336
Fax: + 1 212 963 3630

Ms. AoibheannO'Keeffe
E-mail: okeeffe@un.org (Geneva)
Tel. + 41 22 917 4329

Press Contact:

(Geneva)
Ms. Elizabeth Byrs
E-mail: byrs@un.org
Tel. + 41 22 917 2653
Fax: + 41 22 917 0020

(New York)
Ms. Christina Bennett
E-mail: bennett1@un.org
Tel: + 1 917 367 8059
Fax: + 1 212 963 1312

(Dubai)
Ms. Nadia Evans
Tel. + 971 50 227 9808
E-mail: evans2@un.org