Tajikistan - DHA: 01-14.Sep.97
Tajikistan - DHA: 01-14.Sep.97
UN-DHA
TAJIKISTAN Humanitarian Situation Report
01-14 September 1997
HIGHLIGHTS
Informal inter-agency meetings were convened by DHA in Geneva and
New York (2 and 4 September) to discuss the upcoming humanitarian
needs in Tajikistan. UN Agencies agreed to extend and update the UN
Consolidated Donor Alert until end 1997 to reflect agency
shortfalls, agency capacity and current status of projects.
Requests for 1998 emergency assistance will be based upon further
assessment and policy discussion in the context of overall
assistance strategies. An informal donor briefing on the
humanitarian situation was also held in Geneva and attended by 12
donor countries.
Total number of refugees now successfully repatriated from Sherkhan
Bandar since July 1997 has reached more than 5,300 people with well
over half returning to Vaksh and Bokhtar districts. One refugee
family has crossed over to Tajikistan at Ishkashim, GBAO. The
Hairaton-Termez crossing point remained closed.
On 4 September, the UN issued the Secretary Generals report to the
Security Council on the situation in Tajikistan (S-1997-686). UNMOT
mandate extended until 15 November 1997.
World Bank completed a mission (31 August to 14 September) to
identify priority activities and sector areas for Post Conflict
Assistance Credit (PCAC).
World Peace Day was celebrated on 2 September. A national youth
festival started on 3 September in Khojant, with support from UNDPs
peace building programme. Tajikistan celebrated its independence
day on 9 September
Overall Situation
The arrival of 207 United Tajik Opposition fighters in Dushanbe on
5 September, escorted by the CIS Peace Keeping Force and monitored
by UNMOT, followed by the arrival in Dushanbe of opposition leader
Nuri on 11 September to start the work of the Commission for
National Reconciliation was another step forward in the
implementation of the general peace agreement. The release of the
Mufti (chief religious leader), taken hostage by members of the
Rizvon group in August, was also a positive sign, although his sons
remain hostages.
However, the high incidence of bomb explosions in different parts
of the city centre between 5 and 12 September causing moderate
damage and several civilian casualties, pointed to unease, on the
part of some, with the progress being made with the reconciliation
process. Moreover, several security incidents, some affecting UN
staff, and the unpredictable security situation in the areas of
Kofarnikhon and Faizabad, pointed to continued unacceptable levels
of criminality and disrespect the for rule of law.
Food Aid and Logistics
WFP reports that it distributed approximately 800 MTs of food
commodities through its vulnerable group feeding programme in
Khatlon during the reporting period. There was no WFP distribution
in GBAO due to the lack of fuel in Khorog.
GAA reports a robbery and fire in its warehouse close to
Kofarnighon with damages estimated at USD 15,000. An investigation
is ongoing.
MCI and CARE International report no distributions over the period,
they expect arrival of next USDA donated shipments in October and
November respectively.
ICRC still has approximately 800 MTs of food and non-food items
from last years programme.
Given the progressive shift in emphasis from free food distribution
to various types of food for work projects, WFP is urging all
organisations to collaborate on establishing common work standards.
FFW norms will be on the agenda of the next food aid coordination
meeting on 26 September at 9am at the WFP office.
Health
Following an assessment of 13 out of the 19 mental health
institutions in Tajikistan in August, Medecins Sans Frontieres
Holland has started to implement, in collaboration with the
Ministry of Health, an assistance programme in two mental
hospitals, in Leninksi and Lekhkan. In both hospitals, high
mortality rates are reported (26.3 percent and 37.5 percent for
1996 respectively). Principle findings of the assessment included
prevalence of TB, malaria and scabies in the institutions, crowded
wards, insufficient hygiene among patients, shortage of staff, poor
conditions of buildings and water and sanitation facilities and
irregular food supply. MSF-Holland will initially focus on
providing support (physical rehabilitation, coordination and
provision of relief supplies and training of mental health staff)
in two hospitals and the Childs Psychiatric Centre in Dushanbe, but
will also support the Ministry of Health in elaborating a national
programme for the treatment of mental health disorders.
Refugees:
During weeks 36 and 37, 1,941 Tajik refugees were repatriated via
Njany Pianj, bringing the total number of refugees repatriated
since the operation resumed on 17 July to 5,316:
2 September
299 (Vakhsh - 271, Kumsangir - 6, Bokhtar - 8, Pianj - 1, Farkhor - 13)
4 September
298 (Vakhsh - 283, Bokhtar - 8, Kumsangir - 3, Pianj - 4)
6 September
397 (Vakhsh - 27, Kolkhozabad - 2, Kumsangir - 7, Bokhtar - 299, Kurgan
Teppe - 12, Dushanbe - 34, Gissar - 16)
9 September
354 (Vakhsh - 34, Kolkhozabad - 2, Kumsangir - 9, Bokhtar - 49, Kurgan
Teppe - 6, Kuibisev - 12, Hozimalk -11, Dushanbe - 127, Kabodian - 13,
Shartuz - 41, Pianj - 27, Jilikul - 23)
11 September
318 (Vakhsh - 2, Kumsangir - 2, Pianj - 1, Tajikabad - 5, Dushanbe -25,
Kabodian - 283)
13 September
275 (Vakhsh - 2, Dushanbe - 20, Yavan - 4, Shartuz - 140, Kolkhozabad -
23, Kumsangir - 4, Bokhtar - 35, Kabodian - 47)
Other Issues and Announcements
- Mr. Paolo Lembo, an Italian national, arrived in Tajikistan on 12
September to take up the position of UNDP Resident Representative
and UN Resident Coordinator.
-The 6-person team World Bank identification mission carried out
field visits to Garm and Kuliab over the reporting period and will
return to Garm to conduct a needs assessment survey. An
International Monetary Fund fact-finding mission arrived on 7
September to work with the Government on the 1998 budget.
- An international agency regional coordination meeting was held in
the WFP office in Kurghan Teppe on 3 September. The next meeting
will be on 1 October at 10.00, same venue.
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int
United Nations Office - Dunshanbe
Mr. Paolo Lembo - Resident Coordinator
Ms. Sarah Longford
Tel.: (0073772) 23 05 86 - Fax: (0073772) 21 03 89
E-Mail: dha at taj.freenet.kiev.ua
Inter-Agency Support Branch (IASB) - Geneva
Mr. David Bassiouni - Chief
Ms. Sylvia Ferazzi
Tel.: (41 22) 788.1402 - Fax: (41 22) 788.6386
Registry E-Mail: Rosemary.Addo-Yirenkyi@dha.unicc.org
Complex Emergency Division (CED) - New York
Mr David Chikvaidze
Tel.: (1 212) 963.9665 - Fax: (1 212) 963.1388
E-Mail: chikvaidze@un.org
Press to contact (DHA-Geneva)
Ms. Madeleine Moulin-Acevedo
Tel.: (41 22) 917.2856 - Fax: (41 22) 917.0023
Telex: 414242 DHA CH - E-Mail: Moulin-Acevedo@dha.unicc.org
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