Dushanbe, 02.06.2016 / NIAT “Khovar” /.The European Commission is providing about 60 000 EUR  in humanitarian funding to assist most-affected populations in response to the floods and mudflows which hit nine districts of Tajikistan on May 9-12, according to the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan.

Heavy rains throughout Tajikistan triggered floods and mudslides killing five persons, affecting over 1500 households and leaving them without shelter and food, damaging arable land critical infrastructure, and killing  livestock.

The European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) is contributing to the disaster relief emergency fund (DREF) 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 non-food items, including mattresses, bed linen, blankets and pillows as well as hygiene kits to 320 of the most-affected families.

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.