DUSHANBE, March 13, Asia-Plus – - More than half a million Tajiks could soon face food shortages as a severe winter turns to flooding and an appeal for $25 million remains only one-quarter funded, a United Nations spokesperson said on March 11.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), long-awaited warmer temperatures have replaced snow with intense rains and avalanches, mudflows and floods threaten much of the country.

At the same time, the eastern areas and mountains continue to experience the harshest temperatures seen in decades, which are expected to continue at least until the end of March.

Herders and farmers have sustained losses of around $250 million, according to an assessment made by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in cooperation with the national agricultural ministry.

During April and May a number of UN agencies are planning to conduct an in-depth assessment of livelihoods and food security in the country while setting up a structure that could be expanded to deal with possible future emergencies.