Attachments
- Glide Number: EQ-2025-000049-TJK
- DREF Allocation: CHF 157,151
- People Affected: 4,004 people
- People Targeted: 1,572 people
- Operation Start Date: 27-04-2025
- Operation Timeframe: 4 months
- Operation End Date: 31-08-2025
Description of the Event
Date of event 13-04-2025
What happened, where and when?
On 13 April 2025, at 09:24 local time, an earthquake hit several regions of Tajikistan, including Rasht and Sughd regions and the capital city of Dushanbe. Its epicenter was located 160 kilometers northeast of Dushanbe, 21 kilometers east of the Rasht district. The intensity at the epicenter was 5–6 on the Richter scale, 4–5 in the Rasht region, and 3 in the city of Dushanbe. Aftershocks occurred on the same day at 12:14 and 13:33 in roughly the same geographical area, however with less strength.
Immediately after the onset of the disaster, the government sent a commission to the field to assess the damage of the earthquake. According to commission reports, 67 homes were fully destroyed, 195 partially damaged, 186 lightly damaged, and more than 140 was affected causing only minor damage. Key infrastructure—including a hospital, clinics, and schools—was also affected. One person died, and 16 were injured.
On 22 April 2025, another earthquake has occurred in the region, with 4.0 on the Richter scale. In addition, on 17 April 2025 and 19 April 2025 tremors were registered with the epicenter in the neighbouring Afghanistan, which were also felt in the area, with a magnitude of 3.0 or below the Richter scale.
Taking into account the possibility of additional tremors in the area, the CoES is working with communities with awareness raising and educational initiatives to ensure they are ready to act before, during, and after an earthquake.
An official letter was sent by the Committee of Emergency Situation and Civil Defence to the international community, including the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan, requesting assistance to respond to the needs of earthquake-affected communities.
Scope and Scale
On 13 April, immediately after the earthquake, Emomali Rahmon, a governmental commission led by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, Sulaymon Ziyozoda, was dispatched to the Rasht Valley districts by the order of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan.
The National State Commission, consisting of representatives from the leadership of relevant ministries and agencies responsible for emergency situations, state reserves, construction, geology, land management and geodesy, as well as local executive authorities, were engaged in a comprehensive assessment of the earthquake’s consequences and in determining the scope and types of urgent assistance required for the aected population.
According to offcial government data, the earthquake affected a total of 4,004 people, including those whose homes were fully destroyed, partially damaged, or sustained minor damage to main or auxiliary structures. Information provided by the Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team (REACT), the National State Commission, identied the following damages to the households in Rasht and Tojikobod districts: 1) Rasht - 34 houses destroyed fully, 72 houses damaged partially, and 89 houses damaged lightly. 2) Tojikobod - 33 houses destroyed fully, 123 houses damaged partially, and 97 houses damaged lightly.
Damage to infrastructure:
One regional hospital, three medical/healthcare centers, eleven school facilities, 1.97 km automobile roads, 4.55 km of power lines ,and 21.1 km of water (drinking and irrigation supply network) were impacted. In addition, 47 cows and sheep were lost.
In addition to the information provided by REACT, RCST, in coordination with local authorities and the local branch of CoES, has also conducted damage assessment before the State Commission has arrived to the aected area. According to the National Society's initial damage assessment, the number of houses impacted may be higher. However, until further assessments are conducted in close coordination with state authorities, the planned intervention is designed based on the official data provided by the state.
Main Household Income Sources in Rasht and Tojikobod:
Most families' income is coming from farming and livestock, including cattle, sheep, and goats, growing crops and vegetables like wheat, potatoes, as well as gardening. Labour migration is one of the key sources of income, with many families receiving remittances from relatives abroad, mainly from Russia. Means of living also comes with jobs in public sectors and from state social security payments, however, these are limited. Seasonal and daily labour, such as farm work and construction, provides additional income, especially during the summer season.
Under the current Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) operation, RCST plans to support only those households whose homes were fully destroyed or signicantly damaged—totaling 262 households and 1,752 people.