DUSHANBE, June 6, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Russian emergencies ministry will ship 10,000 tons of wheat flour to Tajikistan for distribution to residents of areas hit by natural disasters, Russia radio station Golos Rossii (Voice of Russia) reported.

We will recall that heavy April and May rains have caused deadly mudslides and ruined crops across vast areas of Tajikistan. At least 28 people have been killed since late April and up to 15,000 displaced by the weather-related catastrophe, according to UN and government estimates.

Responding to a May 20 appeal for help, the United Nations, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and some countries of the European Union have already provided humanitarian aid to Tajikistan.