Tajikistan: Cold Wave/Compound crisis OCHA Situation Report No. 6

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.

The present corrigendum has been issued to reflect the accurate level of contribution and response in the agriculture sector.

HIGHLIGHTS

While there are still outstanding needs stemming from the cold wave/energy crisis, the country is now starting to face Spring related emergencies, in particular as the thaw increases the threat of flash floods and landslides.

Pre-positioning of available emergency Non Food Items and shelter material (Family Kits) is being urgently initiated for the two most disaster prone areas in Zarafshan and Rasht valleys.

Financial support is urgently needed to procure additional stocks and ensure warehousing and transportation of pre-positioned goods; this would cover the projected needs of 1,500 potentially disaster-affected households.

SITUATION

1. Recent high temperatures in Tajikistan have caused the snow at high elevations to melt, bringing closer the spring thaw scenario. April is traditionally a month of flash floods in Tajikistan. This year, in the wake of one of the harshest winters in recent history of the country and melting of the exceptionally heavy accumulated snow pack, floods and landslides are considered to be highly likely.

2. At the request of REACT, the Shelter/NFI Cluster, led by IFRC undertook a study of the likely impact of the spring thaw in the most hazardous zones in cooperation with the Government and Cluster partners. Some 422 villages across the country along all of the main river valleys of Tajikistan were identified as being at high risk. The report made a number of recommendations for immediate and longer term actions to mitigate the effects of the thaw. Based on statistical averages of the last five years (2002-7), at least 1,500 households are predicted to be affected by spring-thaw related natural disasters this year.

3. Hydro-Met, the local hydro-meteorological service, will undertake a helicopter survey during the first week of April to measure snow pack levels at higher mountain elevations. The survey aims to assess and the likely medium and long term impacts of the thaw on water and irrigation systems. The results of the survey will be made available mid-April.

FOOD SECURITY

4. A comprehensive Emergency Food Security Assessment is under preparation by the Cluster Lead (WFP), in cooperation with UNICEF for the nutritional and FAO for agriculture/livestock components, adopting a holistic 'livelihoods' approach. The assessments will take place during the month of April, and will cover the nineteen identified homogenous zones in the whole of Tajikistan. The results, expected to be available mid to end May, will endeavor to identify short (3 months), mid-term (18 months) and long term (3 years) response options.

5. There have been several pledges for the agriculture sector. Particularly, ECHO contributed EUR 180,000 and SIDA contributed USD 480,000 for emergency provision of animal feed to weather affected households in selected districts of Khatlon and DRD regions respectively. Provided contributions will cover at least 7910 rural households in Muminobad, Shaartuz, Pyanj, Jirgital, Faizabad and Tajikabad districts. FAO continues to concentrate its efforts to secure fodder seeds, clinical veterinary support, wheat and potatoes, hoping for contributions to cover these most needed activities.

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
Tel: + 7 727 2528 643
+ 7 777 7809 071
E-mail: waaijman@un.org

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

Desk Officers/Focal Points:

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

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

Press Contact:

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

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

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