OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Kyrgyzstan: Earthquake
8 October 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

- Assessments have been conducted in most of the settlements in the area
surrounding Nura. Data made available so far indicate that the death toll
has risen to 74 people of which 43 are children. In addition,
approximately 211 displaced families have been identified. However, given
the sparse population in the area, the Ministry of Emergencies does not
expect this number to rise dramatically.

- Access remains an issue. In addition, the air temperature in the
affected area reaches freezing level at night with strong winds. It has
not snowed yet, although it is expected that snow and frost will start
within the next few weeks.

- The Government of Kyrgyzstan is assessing the situation and providing
assistance with the support of the humanitarian community present in the
country. So far, needs have been identified in shelter, food, health, NFIs
and education sectors.

SITUATION

1. On 5 October 2008 at 10:00 pm local time (+ 6 GMT) an earthquake of
magnitude 6.6 on Richter scale occurred in the South of Kyrgyzstan
(39.515=B0N, 73.768=B0E), at the border with Tajikistan and China. The same
area was subsequently hit by aftershocks of magnitude 5.1 and 4.6. All
tremors were between 27 and 35 kilometres deep.

2. The worst affected areas are located in Chon- Alai and Alai regions,
approximately 220 kilometers from the main city of Osh. Chon-Alai has a
total population of 21,800 in 17 settlements and Alai has 72,600
inhabitants in 57 settlements. The areas are at high altitude and sparsely
populated. The main road to access the area has been importantly damaged
by the tremor, limiting access to the affected populations.

3. The air temperature in the affected area reaches freezing level at
night with strong winds. It has not snowed yet, although it is expected
that snow and frost will start within the next few weeks.

4. The Ministry of Emergencies has been able to assess most of the
settlements in the area surrounding Nura. Data made available so far
indicate that the death toll has risen to 74 people of which 43 are
children. The number of injured has risen to 142, of which 93 are
children.

5. In addition, approximately 211 displaced families were identified.
Given the sparse population in the area, the Ministry does not expect this
number to rise dramatically. The planned set up of a camp for 600 families
has been revised accordingly to 211 families.

6. The Ministry has stressed the need to urgently start reconstruction as
the high altitude and upcoming winter in the affected area will not allow
for the families to stay in tents.

7. During interviews, the affected population indicated their willingness
to remain in their villages in order to look after their crops and assets.
They noted that they would mostly require assistance with prefabricated
panel-board modules, food-stuff, warm clothing, firewood and coal.

Attachments:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&docid=BA786C25F864FEA4852574DC0051F036&file=Full_Report.pdf

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