ONE STEP AHEAD OF CRISIS: UNHCR'S UZBEK REFUGEE CONTINGENCY

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000587 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, PRM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PREF UZ KZ TI SUBJECT: ONE STEP AHEAD OF CRISIS: UNHCR'S UZBEK REFUGEE CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR TAJIKISTAN ¶1. UNHCR Tajikistan summoned international donors and related refugee organizations March 30 to discuss the full gamut of refugee issues in Tajikistan, including the need for contingency plans in the event of a mass refugee influx following internal disorder in Uzbekistan. Post also sees a need for a predetermined plan of action and continues to work closely with UNHCR. ¶2. UNHCR formulated a modular response plan designed to quickly ascertain Uzbek refugee numbers and apply the needed physical and political support. The modules stipulate the level of support and amount of supplies needed to assist different numbers of refugees, staggered to respond appropriately to a trickle or a flood. Though no longer housing Afghan refugees, UNHCR maintains a camp near Kurgan Tyube, in southern Tajikistan, to use in case of a new refugee housing need. Arrangements have been made with UNHCR support facilities in Dubai and Copenhagen to fly goods and food to Tajikistan as needed. UNHCR maintains a trained global emergency response team, to arrive on site within 72 hours of an emergency, and has flagged Tajikistan (with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan) as a critical support area in case of serious internal disorder in Uzbekistan. Konsortium International, UNHCR's local partner in Khujand, is also preparing for Uzbek refugee needs in northern Tajikistan, adjacent to the Uzbek Ferghana Valley and less than three hours from Tashkent. ¶3. Francisco Galindo-Velez, UNHCR Tajikistan Representative, spent several months in Kyrgyzstan following the Andijon crisis and is committed to applying the lessons learned there, should a new refugee crisis arise. He asked international missions to assist UNHCR in conversations and planning with the Tajik government, especially the Border Forces and MFA, to ensure that all players and parties can respond to a crisis in unison. Whether ten or ten thousand refugees, UNHCR and Post intend to be ready if Uzbeks suddenly start crossing into Tajikistan. HOAGLAND