ACT Alert
Central Asia 1/98
Geneva, April 29, 1998
A rain storm has hit the Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan, Kirgizstan
and Tadjikistan over the last days. In the Republic of Tadjikistan alone
the storm is reported to have killed 19, injured 16 severely and destroyed
homes and properties of thousands of people.
ACT is responding to needs in the affected areas with an immediate Rapid Response Payment of $US 50,000 for food and non-food relief items. The request for this assistance comes from the Russian Orthodox Church in the person of Archbishop Vladimir of Tashkent and Central Asia whose diocese embraces the affected areas.
Worst hit seems to be Southern and Eastern regions of Tadjikistan where about 40 years normal quote of rain fell in just four days. Subsequent land slides and mud flows have destroyed roads, electricity lines, river banks and dams. Overflowing rivers have washed away cotton and other crops from the fields and endanger water supplies. With spring-summer temperatures of up to +26 centigrade the lack of water for drinking and sanitation creates a risk of the spread of epidemic diseases.
The economy and social infrastructure in Tadjikistan is already badly affected by a recent civil war and the effects of the rain storm will aggravate this situation.
ACT members will in the coming days carry out further assessments of the needs in the affected areas. Depending on their findings this Alert may or may not be followed by an ACT Appeal.
For further information please contact the ACT Office by E-mail
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