Dushanbe. 17 August. “Asia Plus” -- The European Commission is providing TJS 380.000 (EUR 56.080) in humanitarian funding to assist most affected populations in response to the floods and mudflows which hit Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) and Rasht valleys in July 2015.

Torrential rains and melting glaciers from 1-22 July triggered mudslides and floods in the GBAO and Rasht valleys of Tajikistan affecting 929 families and leaving them without water and electricity, destroying 200 houses and 72 residential buildings, damaging bridges, power lines, irrigation channels, water supply systems and other infrastructure facilities

The European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) is contributing to the disaster relief emergency fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, following a funding appeal by the organisation for immediate assistance. This was based on a thorough needs assessment, which was conducted in coordination with REACT (Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team) partners, government counterparts responsible for emergency response and international organizations based in Tajikistan.

The funds, channelled through the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan, will ensure the provision of tents to 45 families in GBAO and non-food items (mattresses, pillows, blankets, bed linen, water cans, buckets, shovel, hoe, cooking sets, etc.) to 105 most affected families of GBAO and Rasht as well as of hygiene kits and health promotion materials.

Tajikistan is a mountainous country extremely vulnerable to natural disasters and floods, with landslides and mudflows an almost annual occurrence. The European Commission, through its disaster preparedness programme, DIPECHO, has been working in Tajikistan for over a decade to strengthen the disaster management capacities of hazard-prone communities.