FIRE IN TAJIK ORPHANAGE RAISES QUESTIONS

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000055

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM TI
SUBJECT: FIRE IN TAJIK ORPHANAGE RAISES QUESTIONS



1. (U) At least 13 disabled children died when a fire
destroyed Chorbogh orphanage early January 8. Neighbors pulled
children out of the burning Dushanbe facility, home to almost
100 mentally and physically disabled children. Many victims
were bedridden and unable to escape. Metal bars on the windows
may have prevented the children from exiting the building.
Tajik authorities are investigating the cause, thought initially
to stem from electrical wiring overloaded by heaters during a
cold snap. The evacuated children are now residing in a
Dushanbe school.


2. (SBU) Media reported the fire department was extremely slow
to respond and residents of nearby homes performed most of the
rescue operations. Embassy staff heard rumors the fire and
rescue squads needed more than 40 minutes to travel two miles,
and then arrived without water in the truck tanks. More
sinister but unsubstantiated rumors suggest the fire was
intentional, to vacate the state-owned children's home and free
up valuable property close to the city center.


3. (SBU) PolOff visited the home December 26 and found the
facility to be shabby but clean, similar to other Tajik
educational facilities. During the surprise visit, children
were grouped in dorm rooms by age, bathed and dressed, but not
involved in any educational activities or therapy. Another
EmbOff familiar with Tajik orphanages called Chorbogh one of the
worst, in terms of staff negligence and quality of care.


4. (U) COMMENT: Home fires in Tajikistan are fairly common,
particularly in the winter when gas and electric heaters
provided only limited warmth in buildings with outdated wiring
and decaying wood. Post sincerely hopes this tragedy resulted
from negligence, and not something more disturbing. Post is
organizing donations from Embassy personnel to help surviving
orphans.

ARMBRUSTER


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