DUSHANBE
, February 3, Asia-Plus – On Friday February 3, Counterpart International and the U.S. Embassy in
Dushanbe
distributed much-needed clothing, bedding and hygiene items to the survivors of the recent Chorbogh orphanage fire. The Embassy also donated 5 beds, 100 hand towels, 100 bath towels and 63 pillowcases worth over 9,300 Somonis.
Embassy staff collected personal donations to purchase two washing machines and a years” worth of detergent valued at over 1,600 Somonis. Counterpart delivered seven boxes of hygiene kits (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc.) valued at 2,250 Somonis and four boxes of clothing worth 1,280 Somonis. At the handover, U.S. Ambassador Richard Hoagland talked about the continued need to support those in society most at-risk, particularly disabled children. He reiterated the
U.S.
commitment to bring assistance wherever it is needed. According to him, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also conducting an in-depth evaluation of the proposed new site for the orphanage to determine suitability and total costs for reconstruction.
We are ready to provide assistance in rehabilitation and reconstruction of this orphanage, Mr. Hoagland said, adding that Counterpart has provided US$29 million worth of humanitarian assistance to the Tajik people within the humanitarian aid program since 2000.
For his part, Tajik Minister of Labor and Social Security, Zokir Vazirov, telling the aid-handover ceremony remarked that the first building of a new orphanage would be put into operation on August 15 this year. He reminded that building in Varzob was built in 1991 especially for disabled children but now it is necessary to carry out repair works there. “The building was constructed by a design worked out by the
Moscow
planning institute that has provided for all conditions necessary for disabled children, including elevators for wheelchairs,” the minister said.
