ASIAN DROUGHT LEAVES MILLIONS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE

Press Release
IHA/713

ASIAN DROUGHT LEAVES MILLIONS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE

NEW YORK, 19 July (OCHA) -- The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) today warned that a severe drought is affecting more than 60 million people in Central and South Asia, particularly in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, India and Iran. This drought has led to a significant loss of livestock and crops, a rapid deterioration of health and sanitary conditions in the affected communities, and has raised the prospect of large population displacements within and across national borders.

In response to this crisis, the IASC has formed a Drought Task Force to coordinate relief efforts in the region and is deploying several humanitarian assessment missions to evaluate the drought-induced needs and determine modalities for humanitarian interventions. An additional challenge will be for relief agencies to address immediate needs while supporting efforts to adopt drought preparedness and mitigation measures that will minimize the impact of future droughts. The information available to the IASC indicates that the situation in the most affected countries is as follows:

The drought-induced crisis in Afghanistan is the greatest cause of concern in the humanitarian community. People already suffering from 22 years of civil conflict and a collapsed economy are now faced with an enormous cereal deficit and severe shortages of safe water for human consumption. After a joint assessment mission in June, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated that the food deficit in Afghanistan over the next year will hit a record high of 2.3 million metric tons. -- more than double the former record level set during the previous 12-month period. It is estimated that out of a population of 21.9 million in Afghanistan, three to four million people will be severely affected by drought, while as many as 8-12 million may be moderately affected. While the extent of drought affliction varies across Afghanistan, almost all parts of the country are affected.

The United Nations Country Team and its partners in Afghanistan have requested donors to provide $67 million to help address the impact of the drought on Afghans. The IASC calls on the international community to respond urgently and generously to this request so as to avert a major humanitarian catastrophe.

Humanitarian organizations believe that humanitarian assessments may indicate Tajikistan to be the second most affected country in the region. Following an appeal by the Government of Tajikistan for 100,000 metric tons of wheat, a United Nations team has assessed the crop situation in the country. Preliminary estimates are that wheat production in Tajikistan will be 30 per cent lower than last year.

In Pakistan, drought affecting the provinces of Balochistan and Sindh is considered to be one of the worst in the nation's history. Approximately 2.2 million people and 16 million livestock have been affected. The Government is spearheading the relief efforts with support from United Nations relief agencies and the international community.

While the Government of India estimates that almost 50 million people have been affected by drought in two states, it has not issued an appeal for international assistance. The Indian Government has adopted emergency measures and is providing relief assistance and monitoring the situation. The welcome arrival of the rainy season is slowing the ravages of the drought and helping with the country's immediate water needs.

In nearby Iran, however, 18 of 28 provinces have been affected by the drought, several critically. The Government estimates that 60 per cent of the rural population in the 18 affected provinces and 12 million people in urban and rural areas are experiencing shortages of potable water. In response to this situation, it has allocated, from its own resources, $290 million to cope with the drought. The United Nations is working closely with the Government of Iran in monitoring the situation and developing long-term solutions.

"Immediate donor response is critical to prevent this devastating natural disaster from causing greater loss of life and livelihoods", said Carolyn McAskie, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, a.i. She added, "the generosity of the international community is vital if we are to contain the current crisis and avoid a tragedy".

For further information please contact: Phyllis Lee, OCHA, New York at 212- 963-4832; Rosa Malango, OCHA, New York at 212-963-2380; Donato Kiniger Passigli, OCHA, Geneva at 4122-9172653.

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