OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Uzbekistan - Drought
12 June 2001


Situation

1.  The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan has indicated that
drought in the north-western provinces of the country has aggravated the
drinking water supply and crop irrigation systems leading to a
deterioration of the epidemiological and environmental situation in the
affected areas.  The Government estimates that crop fields in the affected
areas have been reduced to half of the original size, and around 100,000
people have become unemployed. There is a critical need for the creation
of alternative sources of drinking water, as well as the provision of
medicines and diagnostic equipment to prevent the spread of infectious
diseases.


National response

2.  The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan has taken emergency
measures to alleviate the consequences of the drought, provide social
support, and develop public work schemes for the temporary unemployed
population, as well as to optimize the utilisation of water resources.


International response


3.  In a letter addressed to the UN Under-Secretary-General for
Humanitarian Affairs and the UNDP Administrator, the Prime Minister of the
Republic of Uzbekistan made an appeal for international assistance to
mitigate the consequences of the drought. The Government has requested a
special mission to be fielded in the country in order to assess needs and
mobilize international assistance in the sectors of water, sanitation, and
health.

4.  Priority needs identified by the Government are:

- Supply of equipment for decontamination of water and overall
epidemiological control;

- Provision of drugs, vaccines, and other medical items to maternity
clinics and mother-and-child health care facilities;

- Supply of items for the maintenance of proper sanitary and hygiene
conditions at schools and preschool institutions;

- Provision of water pumps and water purification stations;

- Procurement of vehicles/water trucks.


5.  OCHA Geneva is consulting with the UN Office of the Resident
Coordinator in Uzbekistan and UN agencies at HQ in order to review the
humanitarian consequences of the drought, take stock of the response thus
far, and identify gaps in meeting relief and rehabilitation assistance
needs.

6.  This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies
are also available on the OCHA Internet Website at:
http://www.reliefweb.int.


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Ms. Merete Johansson  Tel.+41-22-917 16.94
  Ms. Knarik Kamalyan  Tel.+41-22-917.16.95

Press contact:
  Ms. M. Moulin-Acedo, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53


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