U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
CENTRAL ASIA TASK FORCE
CENTRAL ASIA REGION - Complex Emergency
Fact Sheet #17 (FY02)    October 30 2001


Note: this Fact Sheet updates previously released Central Asia Region Fact
Sheets and Situation Reports.

Numbers Affected

- According to a joint assessment by the U.N. High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) and Pakistani authorities, the total influx of Afghan
refugees into Pakistan since September 11, 2001 is estimated at 100,000 to
110,000.


Afghanistan

- There are unconfirmed reports that the Taliban seized 1,600 metric tons
(MT) of food and vehicles from the U.N. World Food Program's (WFP)
warehouse in Kandahar.  WFP has not confirmed these reports.  The Taliban
has occupied WFP's Kandahar warehouse since October 18, but has only
recently seized assets.

- WFP reported October 29 that wheat is still available in local markets
in Kandahar, though prices have increased more than 50 percent.  WFP has
not distributed food in the city since international staff evacuated on
September 13.

- According to WFP, there are currently no relief agencies active in
Kandahar.

- According to WFP, the cost of transport from Peshawar to Kabul has
increased more than 17 percent.

- WFP reported October 29 that it is continuing to step up food aid
deliveries into Afghanistan, but that distribution within the country
remains problematic.  Security concerns, fuel shortages, and a lack of
trucks are the main obstacles.  Nonetheless, WFP reported that its new
strategy of bypassing urban hubs, which have been plagued by insecurity
and asset seizures, in favor of direct deliveries to affected districts
appears to be successful.


Pakistan

- UNHCR reported that it plans to begin using 15 of the campsites that it
has been developing in Pakistan.  The sites can accommodate up to 150,000
people.  The new sites are intended to meet the needs of the more than
100,000 people estimated to have crossed into Pakistan to date.

- UNHCR reported that Pakistani authorities have agreed to let vulnerable
people from Afghanistan cross the border, such as women, children, the
elderly, and those with health problems.


U.S. Government Activities

New Actions

- USAID/OFDA is providing $6,000,000 to WFP for the purchase, transport,
and bagging of 15,000 MT of wheat.

- The Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
(State/PRM) has provided $18,260,000 in new funds to support appeals from
the International Committee of the Red Cross ($6,500,000), International
Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies ($3,000,000),
International Organization for Migration ($2,000,000), and U.N. Office for
the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ($2,000,000), in addition to
program support for WFP ($4,000,000), the U.N. Population Fund ($600,000),
and U.N. Development Program ($160,000).

- To date, the Department of Defense (DOD) has airdropped 994,080
Humanitarian Daily Rations (HDRs) valued at $4,274,544 into Afghanistan.


Disaster Declarations & Background

- On October 4, 2001, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs
Christina B. Rocca redeclared a complex humanitarian disaster for
Afghanistan for FY 2002.

- On October 10, 2001, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires James A. Boughner declared a
disaster for Tajikistan due to drought.


FY 2001 USG Assistance to Afghanistan

Total USAID/OFDA	$12,599,441
Total USAID/FFP	$31,200,000
Total USAID/DG	$310,000
Total USDA	$99,800,000
Total State/PRM	$29,828,659
Total State/HDP	$2,800,000
Total State/INL	$1,500,000
Total CDC	$569,525

TOTAL USG Humanitarian Assistance FY 2001
$178,607,625



FY 2002 USG Assistance to Afghanistan

Total USAID/OFDA	$34,923,766
Total USAID/FFP 	$38,555,000
Total State/PRM	$28,260,000
Total DOD	$4,274,544

TOTAL USG Humanitarian Assistance FY 2002
$106,013,310

TOTAL USG Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan FY 2001/2002
$284,620,935



USG Assistance to Tajikistan

Total USG Assistance to Tajikistan FY 2001
$67,210,000

Total USAID/OFDA Assistance to Tajikistan FY 2002
$998,180



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