In response to a series of floods that wreaked havoc across large parts of Tajikistan in early June, the European Union is providing €70,000 EUR (over TJS 750,000) in humanitarian aid funding to assist the most vulnerable communities. The aid will directly benefit 2 750 heavily affected people in some of the hardest hit localities of Khatlon and Sughd provinces.
This EU-funding supports the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan (RCST) in delivering emergency assistance through the distribution of kitchen sets and household kits, including cooking utensils, mattresses, blankets, bed linens, buckets and plastic sheeting. Families whose homes have been completely destroyed or severely damaged will also receive cash grants to enable them to cover their most urgent needs. As water-borne diseases are common in the aftermath of a flood, hygiene promotion materials and campaigns, as well as essential hygiene items, will also be provided to ensure good hygiene practices are well maintained during the recovery period.
The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Between 1 and 7 June, torrential rains caused a series of floods and mudflows in many parts of Tajikistan, adversely affecting over 6 700 people and damaging an estimated 1 000 houses, more than 35% of which were completely destroyed. The provinces of Khatlon and Sughd, located in the west of the country, were the worst hit, accounting for over 90% of the affected population. In addition to personal assets, impacted communities have also lost food supplies and livestock. Arable lands, which constitute the main source of livelihood in this predominantly agricultural region, have been extensively damaged.
Source: European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
