Tajikistan: Snow Avalanches OCHA Situation Report No. 2

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2005/30
OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Tajikistan - Snow Avalanches

This report is based on information provided by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Situation

1. Hazard winter conditions have continued in eastern and southern Tajikistan, with more than 2 metres of snowfall reported. Warmer temperatures this week have increased the risk of further avalanches in the mountainous regions, while more snow is expected throughout the weekend. Majority of the roads are still closed and communication systems are down, leaving a number of villages isolated. To date, at least 16 people have been killed. In Nurobod District, fearing additional avalanches, 2800 persons were evacuated to safe areas.

2. In Tavildara District, 39 houses, 70 storage facilities and 20 schools have all collapsed. Almost all the roads in Tavildara village are closed, cutting off villages from the District Centre. In Rogun District, 8 houses and 1 school collapsed after more than 2.5 metres of snowfall. In Kandak village, the height of the avalanche is measured at 10 metres. Faizobod District reports 31 houses completely destroyed and 312 partially destroyed. Khatlon District has also suffered substantial damage.

National Government Response

3. The Ministry of Emergency Situations (MoES) has been working in close cooperation with the NGOs and UN Agencies in providing relief aid to the affected areas. However, access to a number of villages remains a challenge. On 11 February, the German Government has agreed to provide a helicopter for the transportation of relief items.

4. The Government of Tajikistan has requested assistance from the UN system to address the crippling impact of the disaster. Current needs include: Tavildara District: food for 600 children in a district boarding-house and fuel; Nurobod: tents, clothing and food; Rogun: blankets and food for 120 persons; Faizobod: food for 2032 persons, fuel, clothing, 27 tents, bed-linen for 31 families and construction material for destroyed rooftops; Baljuvon: food for 3500 persons; Darvoz and Murgab both require additional fuel for road clean-up.

United Nations and Country Team Response

5. In close cooperation with the Government, including UN staff working within the Ministry of Emergencies, the UNCT and the UN-led REACT team immediately triggered its response, with three UN vehicles directly involved, and UN Disaster Risk Management Project working to support the collection of information. Relief assistance for Nurobod District has begun, with the NGO Merlin distributing medical supplies, blankets and clothes. UNDP has provided 30,000 litres of fuel. WFP has dispatched food commodities for Qal'ai Dasht and Muskinobod Jamoats.

6. It is crucial that the international community swiftly provides support in this high-profile disaster, as it can be seen as a test of the efforts to build response capacity. With support from the UN Country Team (UNCT), and the Disaster Partnership - REACT, the Government has improved its disaster risk management over the past four years, but it would be particularly damaging to allow the system to be overwhelmed by this emergency, with unusual heavy snowfall and with such a direct impact on a large number of people.

7. OCHA released, on 4 February, USD 30,000 from its emergency grant account for emergency supplies and logistic operations.

8. OCHA continues to maintain a close contact with the UN Resident Coordinator in Dushanbe, and will revert with further information as appropriate.

9. This situation report, together with further information on other ongoing emergencies is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int and the UN Coordination Unit in Tajikistan's website at: http://www.untj.org.

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

Desk Officers:
Ms. Afia Ali Blasco / Mr. Dusan Zupka,
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1173 / 16 45

Press contact:
(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. + 41-22-917 2653
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-917-8921679