Tajikistan Vanj Earthquake Situation Report #1

This report was issued by the OCHA sub-regional Office for Central Asia, based on information provided by the Tajik disaster management coordination system (REACT) and the UN Resident Coordinator Office. It covers the period from 2 to 4 January 2010. The next report will be issued on or around 8 January.

I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES

The Government of Tajikistan is appealing for international assistance in support of population displaced by an earthquake on 2 January;

Winterized tents and other non-food items are urgently needed;

As temperatures in the high-altitude affected area fluctuate between -9 and - 24 degrees Celsius.

II. Situation Overview

An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale struck Vanj district (38.247=B0N, 71.495=B0E) on January 2, 2010 at around 7:15 am. Some 20 villages in two Jamoats have been affected. The epicenter was close to Vanj, the district centre, which is approximately 80 KM North of Khorog town, the capital of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province (GBAO), and 235 KM East of the Capital Dushanbe.

Preliminary data provided by an assessment team comprised of local authorities and the organization Focus Humanitarian Assistance, indicate that some 921 houses have been damaged (affecting approximately 6,145 people), of which 98 have been completely destroyed (displacing some 619 people). These figures were confirmed by the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan. The earthquake has also partially impacted other buildings in the centre of Vanj, including the policlinic, secondary school and administrative buildings. No deaths or injuries have been reported.

The affected areas are at high altitude, with temperatures currently fluctuating between -9 and -14 degrees Celsius during day-time and -22 and -24 degrees Celsius at night.