In progress at UNHQ

IHA/674

UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES SEEK $24 MILLION FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF IN TAJIKISTAN; 80 PER CENT OF POPULATION SAID TO BE AT RISK

4 December 1998


Press Release
IHA/674


UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES SEEK $24 MILLION FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF IN TAJIKISTAN; 80 PER CENT OF POPULATION SAID TO BE AT RISK

19981204 NEW YORK, 4 December (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) -- United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) today issued a consolidated appeal for $24.7 million to respond to the humanitarian needs of over half-a-million vulnerable people in Tajikistan during 1999.

While rehabilitation of the country and reintegration of repatriates and internally displaced persons are the main priorities of the Government and the international community, significant emergency requirements remain to be met. The upheavals since 1992 have left a large portion of the population vulnerable; at present, some 80 per cent of Tajiks live below the poverty line. With the Government finding it difficult to provide a social safety net, United Nations agencies and NGOs are continuing to fill the gaps and, through their response, supporting the peace process.

Given the fragile political and security situation in Tajikistan, the appealing organizations have developed a common humanitarian action plan which aims at sustaining current levels of food security, access to potable water and access to health care. This should result in morbidity and mortality rates that are normal for a country of Tajikistan's human development index. Facilitating safe return and reintegration of returnees and ex-combatants are other vital components of the common plan.

Through generous response to the appeal, donors will help consolidate gains made for future peace and stability. Funds raised will boost existing efforts by international organizations to build peace and reconciliation and send a strong political message to the parties of the conflict.

Copies of the appeal document may be requested from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)/Complex Emergency Response Branch, by e-mail on: erlinda.umali@dha.unicc.org. The document is also available on OCHA's website: http://www.reliefweb.int/.

* *** *

For information media. Not an official record.