Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DUSHANBE1523
2006-08-09 13:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:  

TAJIKISTAN'S EARTHQUAKE RELIEF STATUS REPORT

Tags:  PGOV PREL EAID TI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5261
RR RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHDBU #1523 2211322
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 091322Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8326
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1741
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 1699
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1708
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1639
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 1748
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1752
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1490
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1477
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1271
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1721
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 1029
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 9662
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001523 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/ACE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN'S EARTHQUAKE RELIEF STATUS REPORT

REF: DUSHANBE 1465

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001523

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/ACE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN'S EARTHQUAKE RELIEF STATUS REPORT

REF: DUSHANBE 1465


1. More than a week after two earthquakes shook Tajikistan's
Qumsangir District in Khatlon province on the southern border
with Afghanistan July 29 (reftel),the Tajik government and
donors continue to help displaced residents. Under the
leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Ghulomov, the Tajik
government established the National Emergency Commission to
coordinate donor assistance, assess damage, and plan for
reconstruction. Although the Tajik government has not yet
officially declared the region a disaster area, President
Rahmonov has made several calls to international organizations
and wealthy Tajiks to provide assistance.


2. The damage to five settlements in the district is
approximately $22 million, according to the latest data provided
by the United Nations Disaster Risk Management Project. The
death toll has remained low at three people, but the earthquakes
displaced more than 15,000 people, a higher number than
estimated in the days immediately following the earthquake.
Over 700 homes have been completely destroyed and over 1,200
partially damaged, many of them mud-brick structures common to
Tajikistan's impoverished southern region.


3. Although the central government, NGOs, and international
missions acted quickly to provide assistance such as temporary
shelter, food, medical aid, and clothing to victims, the
government has called for additional assistance. Health and
disease prevention concerns authorities, as the earthquakes
destroyed all health service structures according to the UN
report. Sanitation conditions are poor, access to clean water
is rare and there is a prevalence of malaria in the region. The
government has requested soap, cleaning disinfectants,
additional water containers, assistance in monitoring and
preventing waterborne diseases, and help in surveillance and
preventing malaria including distribution of mosquito nets. The
Ministry of Emergency Services reported the food supply
requirements have not been met and also asked for additional
kitchen supplies.


4. The government has provided 1,200 tons of cement for
reconstruction of homes and promised co-financing to those
involved in rebuilding projects. An international NGO will
assist in training people how to build homes according to safe
building standards for an earthquake zone. As a temporary
solution, the government requested an additional 2000 tents for
the homeless.


5. Through the NGO CHAP, the Embassy provided $24,000 worth of
emergency relief assistance in the form of clothing, sleeping
bags, water containers, and medical supplies immediately after
the earthquakes occurred. CHAP has verified that our relief
supplies were properly transported and distributed to victims.
Although the earthquakes are responsible for many gaps in
services, the problems the people of southern Tajikistan face
now reflect pre-existing conditions, including the country's
impoverished status, lack of adequate health facilities and poor
water supply system. Post remains involved in coordination
activities with the government and international community to
ensure that assistance provided will meet the immediate short
term need as well as longer term development goals.

HUSHEK