DUSHANBE (TCA) — Following the devastating floods that struck southern Tajikistan in May, the European Commission has allocated €60,000 (approximately TJS 63,000) in humanitarian funding to bring emergency assistance to communities affected by the disaster, the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan said.
The aid will directly meet the immediate needs of 500 flood-affected families (2,500 people) through the provision of essential items, including bedding, kitchen sets and mud-cleaning tools for a period of three months. In addition, the hygiene information needs of flood-affected people will be addressed, including hygiene awareness sessions conducted to avoid the spread of waterborne diseases.
This EU funding supports the Tajik Red Crescent Society in delivering much-needed relief assistance to families who were affected and had their homes damaged and destroyed and lost their home properties.
The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Between 16 and 21 May, heavy and prolonged rains caused floods in the southern part of Tajikistan affecting 9 villages in 2 districts of Khatlon Province. At least 6 people were killed, 1,145 households (5,725 people) were heavily affected, and infrastructure was damaged or destroyed.
The European Commission has signed a EUR 3 million humanitarian contribution agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). Funds from the DREF are mainly allocated to “small-scale” disasters – those that do not give rise to a formal international appeal.
