DUSHANBE, August 22, Asia-Plus — The UN Country Team has issued an Appeal requesting $.165 million to provide assistance to the disaster-affected people in Rasht and Asht districts, Vladimir Sotirov, Representative of the UN Secretary General, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. in Tajikistan, said in an interview with Asia-Plus after the Special Meeting on the UN Emergency Appeal that was held in Dushanbe on August 22.  

The project provides for rendering immediate aid to the tremor-hit people, providing them with shelter, foodstuffs, tents and other relief supplies, Mr. Sotirov said.  The project also stipulates conducting training on antiseismic construction, etc.     

According to Mr. Sotirov, a number of international organizations have already shown interest in this project.  CARITAS, in particular, confirmed its readiness to provide aid in an amount of $70,000 for rehabilitation of schools, and CARE International is ready to provide a $50,000 support for purchasing building materials for rehabilitating damaged buildings.  Besides, diplomatic missions of France and India in Dushanbe have also expressed their readiness to provide assistance.  

The meeting held on August 22 aimed to again bring attention to the disasters, which occurred in Tajikistan on July 21-24.  The meeting brought together more than 50 representatives from the government, international  organizations active in Tajikistan, and local NGOs.  

An earthquake measuring 5.5 on Richter scale in Rasht district, and mudflows in northern Sughd province of Tajikistan triggered by torrential rains, killed 15 people in Tajikistan and damaged more than 1,000 houses on July 21-24.