Severe Weather

Appeal Target: US$ 169,540

Balance Requested: US$ 139,540

Tajikistan is experiencing its harshest winter in three decades with unusually low temperatures. The cold weather over the last months and the ensuing shortage of electricity have crippled the population, particularly in urban areas which depend on electricity for heating, cooking and water supply. Children and the elderly are among the most vulnerable people being hit by these conditions. As a result of heavy snowfalls, roads between several districts were blocked, which has also reduced local supplies of food and other basic commodities. According to media reports, 303 babies and 12 young women have died as a result of this situation over the last month (Source: Asia Plus). Many antiquated water lines had broken or become clogged.

Meanwhile heating and electricity have been restored In Dushanbe, but in the higher altitudes, extreme cold and power outages prevail. There is a risk of flooding and mudslides and outbreak of typhoid as a result of precarious health conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO), together with other agencies, has identified critical food and non-food items are needed to mitigate against immediate, life threatening conditions. These items include wheat flour and vegetable oil in particular, warm clothes for children and the elderly, blankets and sleeping mats, jerry cans for carrying and storing water, flashlights, batteries, candles, matches, generators and fuel, and medicines.

ACT member Christian Aid is based in Dushanbe in the ACT Central Asia office. Together with its local partner organizations, Christian Aid is planning relief assistance of food in urban areas, woodstoves and coal to schools and hospitals, information campaigns on the dangers related to using wood/coal burning stoves in homes, and seeds for rural communities whose crops have been destroyed by frost.

The implementing partner Agency of Support of Development Process, (ASDP) in cooperation with Youth Group on Protection of Environment (YGPE) and the Centre of Assistance and Progressive Development (CAPD) is planning to provide heating and cooking facilities as well as food to some 660 families in the Northern region. Mehrangez will implement in coordination with Youth Eco-Centerr and Zumrad similar activities in the Southern region. The partners will also pursue their work in Disaster Risk Reduction by instigating media campaigns and capacity building to the local communities.  Christian Aid will support its partners with close support in administration and monitoring.

Project Completion Date: 19 October 2008

Reporting schedule:

Final narrative & financial: 19 December 2008

Audit: 19 January 2009

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested (US$):

Appeal Target: 169, 540
Less: Pledges/Contr Recd: 30,000
Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: 139,540

Signed by:

John Nduna
Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office