DUSHANBE, February 13, Asia-Plus  -- $7.5 million worth of humanitarian aid has been delivered to Tajikistan since the beginning of this year, Suhrob Rahimov, the head of the department for analysis and customs statistics of the Customs Service, told Asia-Plus on Wednesday.

According to him, the main donors are the United States and Russia.  “More than 90 percent of the humanitarian aid has come from these countries,” the customs official said.   

In all, 14 countries have provided humanitarian aid to Tajikistan over the report period, Rahimov said. 

The assistance included foodstuffs, consumer goods, medicines and medical equipment as well as clothing that would be distributed the poorest sectors of the population, he noted.  

            In the meantime, diplomatic missions and international organizations active in Tajikistan are continuing to provide humanitarian aid to the population affected by ongoing energy crisis and severe electricity shortages. 

Ms. Dilbar Ghafforova, program manager, CARE International Tajikistan, told Asia-Plus that under the USAID-funded program some 12,000 pupils in Yovon and Vahdat district will be provided with hot meals during February and more than 4,000 pregnant women in these districts will receive vitamin-rich wheat flour and vegetable oil.  

Besides, they have started distribution of a one-month coal ration (at a rate of 20-25 kilograms of coal per day) to orphanage # 4 in Dushanbe, elderly center in Yovon, 12 schools in Yovon and Varzob districts, etc.   

“Under the mentioned humanitarian program, 275 pupils from the Yovon orphanage will receive warm clothing,” said Ms. Ghafforova.  “Besides, food assistance will be provided to 147 elderly people in Dushanbe’s Shohamnsour district who do have relatives to support them and boarding school # 1 in Dushanbe and the orphanage Chorbogh in Varzob.”

The Dushanbe Office of international organization “Save the Children” (USA) noted that they plan to provide humanitarian aid to children in the southern regions of the country.  Warm blankets, clothing and food stuffs will be delivered to them in the near future.