انجمن دوستی ایران و تاجیکستان

Situation Report No. 1 – Tajikistan – Cold Wave (31 January 2008)

This report is based on information provided by the Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team (REACT) under the Committee of Emergency Situations of Tajikistan and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan.

SITUATION

1. Extreme winter conditions in Tajikistan have caused a sharp decline in water levels in the Nurek reservoir, which powers the hydro-electric Nurek Power Plant. The water level in the Nurek reservoir is currently 7 meters above the dead-zone level and the water off-take is 15 times faster than the inflow rate.

If all factors remain constant, in approximately a week from now, the power-plant will need to

decrease production levels to inflow rates.

2. Electricity is already strictly rationed throughout much of the country with most areas only receiving a few hours of electricity a day. Prolonged blackouts can be expected if no alternative solution is found. February is historically a low water month and the limited imports from neighboring countries are insufficient to offset the deficit.

3. The Government and international partners are preparing themselves for possible humanitarian implications of a prolonged electricity crisis.

Assessments are currently being carried out to inform possible response plans.

COORDINATION

4. The UN Resident Coordinator has met with the President of Tajikistan on 31 January, during which the close cooperation between the government, UN and non-governmental organizations through the Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team (REACT) forum was reconfirmed.

5. The REACT forum has held several meetings thus far to inform partners on the situation and discuss response needs. Five sectors under REACT, namely food, health, water and sanitation (WASH), education and shelter have been mobilized to coordinate further in-depth assessments.

6. An initial REACT rapid assessment is underway to determine the impact and needs in urban areas. This assessment may be expanded to rural areas at a later stage. A second assessment, focusing on the impact of electrical shortages at the Jamoat and District levels, coordinated through the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense, is also in preparation.

HIGHLIGHTS

Electricity is already strictly rationed throughout much of the country with most areas only receiving a few hours of electricity a day. Prolonged blackouts can be expected if no alternative solution is found.

Rapid assessments are underway to determine the impact and needs.

Through the REACT system and the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the Government of Tajikistan has requested emergency cooking and heating fuel, generators for hospitals, orphanages and other key social services and food.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

7. IFRC and the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan are conducting an assessment of which the results are expected on 6 February. WHO is planning a rapid health assessment. The World Bank has deployed a team of energy experts to assess the situation and identify possible alternative solutions.

8. High protein biscuits have been provided to orphan homes, boarding schools, and maternity and children hospitals. UNICEF has airlifted 20 generators of 5 KVA. UNICEF has, in addition, allocated USD 100,000 and released the following item from its warehouse in support of the Ministry of health:

• 300 Jerry cans

• Bed linen

• Baby blankets

• Soap

• Five emergency health kits for hospitals in Dushanbe

• Toilet soap

• Blankets wool-blend

9. An OCHA Humanitarian Affairs Officer, deployed from the OCHA Disaster Response Advisor Office in Almaty, will arrive in Dushanbe on 1 February to assist in the collation and analysis of the results of the rapid assessments and to help determine the response.

IDENTIFIED NEEDS

10. Through the REACT system and the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the Government of Tajikistan has requested emergency cooking and heating fuel and generators for hospitals, orphanages and other key social services.

11. The government of Tajikistan, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has identified the following immediate needs:

• Transformers - 400, 630 and 1000 KVa capacity – 60 pieces.

• Under ground high-voltage cable – 6 km.

• Diesel generators – number and size not indicated.

• Food (flour) – quantity is not indicated.

• Fuel (mazut – fuel for central heating systems, petrol, kerosene) – quantity is not indicated.

• Generators for maternity and children’s hospitals – 70 pieces.

• Baby bed linen – 2800 sets.

• Soap – 2000 pieces

This situation report, together with further information on other ongoing emergencies is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.