DUSHANBE, February 22, Asia-Plus -- The British Embassy today announced that the British Government will provide assistance worth $ 1,000,000 in connection with the UN’s Flash Appeal for Tajikistan in response to the current energy and humanitarian crisis.

“We have all been touched by the way in which this recent crisis has affected some of the most vulnerable people in Tajikistan and, as a major development partner of this country, we were determined to play our part,” said Mr. Graeme Loten, the British Ambassador. “This initial response worth $1 million will be focused on the very poorest people in the rural areas, especially those in the mountains, and will be mainly channeled through the emergency programs of international NGOs already working in Tajikistan.”

The funds, from the British Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), have been provisionally allocated to three areas:

Support to the SCF/Mercy Corps/CARE consortium of NGOs working in Tajikistan to provide immediate relief to poor and vulnerable communities.

Support in the form of experienced seconded personnel, to the United Nations office in Tajikistan so that it can co-ordinate and manage effectively the response from the international community in partnership with the Government of Tajikistan.

The supply of essential items urgently needed by people, and unavailable on the local market, and their immediate distribution to the places and people that need them most.       

The British Embassy and DFID will be monitoring the emergency situation in Tajikistan closely and are ready to offer further funding and assistance if it is required.

The Department for International Development (DFID) is the part of the United Kingdom Government that manages Britain’s aid to poor countries and works to get rid of extreme poverty. 

DFID supports long-term programmes to help tackle the underlying causes of poverty in over 150 countries world-wide. DFID also responds to humanitarian crises around the world, providing funding to relief operations, search and rescue expertise and emergency supplies to help save lives when disasters strike.

DFID has been in Tajikistan since 2003 and has provided over $12 million of support during that time.