DUSHANBE, May 20, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- The Government of Tajikistan, together with the humanitarian community, launched an appeal today for US$5.3 million to provide relief and recovery assistance to thousands of people affected by the flashfloods in Kulob and the surrounding districts in the south of Tajikistan on May 7, according to the UNDP Country Office in Tajikistan.

Forty people were killed, 33 remain missing and at least 85 were severely injured by the floods.  About 4,500 children, women and men in Kulob are displaced since their houses were destroyed or severely damaged by torrents of water, stones and debris.  Another 16,000 people in rural areas lost their livelihoods; their livestock were killed, crops were destroyed and pastures were buried under mud and rocks.

In the aftermath of the crisis, the Tajik Government and aid agencies successfully delivered life-saving assistance to the 4,500 displaced, who are currently staying in tent camps. The aid included tents, food, and access to safe water and emergency healthcare. The residents of the tent camps need further life-sustaining support for up to 6 months, while the affected people in rural areas need help to restore their livelihoods.

“Government and humanitarian partners in Tajikistan provided immediate relief from existing stocks. Now we count on the assistance of the international community to support the displaced people and the affected communities”, said Michael Jones, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan.

The appeal includes 26 projects proposed by United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations. The projects aim to provide food and basic social services to the Kulob tent camp residents, restore animal stocks and crop land in the surrounding districts, and provide disaster victims with basic household items. The plan also intends to restore drinking water and safe sanitation in the town of Kulob and in seven districts.

The people hit by the flash floods in Tajikistan now count on international assistance to help restore their dignity and prevent them from falling even deeper into poverty.