Tajikistan: Earthquake OCHA Situation Report No. 3

Ref: 2006/0196

OCHA Situation Report No.3
Tajikistan - Earthquake

This situation report is an update of the situation since the earthquakes in Qumsangir on 29th July. This is an appeal for funds to cover needs, which, if not addressed, could lead to serious humanitarian consequences at the onset of the winter season. It is based on information provided to OCHA by the Office of the Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan. Interested donors can contact the Resident Coordinator’s office: Mr. William Paton at 992-372-210679/210670, william.paton@undp.org

This appeal is intended to cover the urgent remaining needs of the population affected by two earthquakes, which hit the southern district of Qumsangir in Tajikistan on the 29th of July 2006. A total of 1,083 houses have been fully damaged and more than 1,500 have been partially damaged. A total of 21,000 people had lived in these fully and partially affected houses.

The UN Country Team, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and the international community have been effective in meeting urgent, sector specific needs, especially in health, water and sanitation, and education. The response has been well coordinated through the Disaster Management Partnership REACT (Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team).

Even though the government only a few days following the earthquake initiated the reconstruction of houses, the construction work has progressed very slowly. As a result, there is a fear that half of the fully destroyed houses (approximately 500 houses) will not be rebuilt before the winter begins. If this were to occur, it would have serious humanitarian consequences, which is the reason for this appeal.

The appeal calls for 500 winter tents, as well as material support for reconstruction of 200 houses. In addition to other infrastructure damaged, nine schools, in which more than 7,000 children study, were also affected by the earthquakes. In order to ensure continuity in children’s education, this appeal covers part of the needs for school rehabilitation. Although the school year has already begun, the children in affected schools do not have access to a safe classroom-learning environment. There is an urgent need for full or partial rehabilitation of schools, provision of school furniture, textbooks, and essential school supplies in affected schools. Although the Government has committed to the reconstruction of 2 schools on their own, their resources are very limited to complete the rehabilitation of other 7 schools.

The total amount required is USD 1,000,000. The duration of implementation of these activities is planned for six months.

RESPONSE PLANS

OCHA is prepared to accept cash contributions to be used for immediate relief assistance, in support of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the country.

The full text of the appeal is available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

This situation report, together with additional information on other ongoing emergencies, is also available on http://www.reliefweb.int.

Map: Tajikistan: Earthquake - Location map

Tel. +41-22-917 1234
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

OCHA Desk Officer:

Ms. Charlotta Benedek
E-mail: benedek@un.org
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1205

Press contact:

(GVA) Ms. Elisabeth Byrs, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Direct Tel. +1-917-892 1669