DUSHANBE, March 16, 2012, Asia-Plus — The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) supports Tajikistan’s Red Crescent Society (RCS) from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) in delivering immediate food assistance to vulnerable households-in-need in the Murgab district, Gorno Badakhshan, IFRC Country Representation in Tajikistan reports.
Most vulnerable multi-children families, female-headed households and elderly people living alone, in total 500 families (more than 20% of Murgab district population) will be provided with four months supplementary food by Red Cross/Red Crescent. The targeted groups of the population will receive wheat flour, vegetable oil, sugar and tea to meet the minimum ratio of basic food need.
The recent global food and financial crises in combination with fuel crisis and prolonged harsh winter had severe negative consequences on food security in Tajikistan. The reports show that the most affected area in Tajikistan is the Murgab district, which is located in remote, hardly accessible, mountainous area in Gorno Badakhshan region. Murgab district is located 350 km far from Khorog city, Gorno Badakhshan administrative center, and 843 km far from Dushanbe, with the total of population more than 14,000 people (51% female). The main source of income for the population is cattle breading.
Mr. Eric Michel-Sellier, IFRC Country Representative to Tajikistan says “The price of food in the Murgab district is significantly different compared to the food price in capital city and other regions of Tajikistan. The situation with high food prices is worsened not only because of the long distance, but also with the bad road conditions. The assessment of the situation related to food insecurity, conducted by the Tajikistan Red Crescent Society’s branch in Murgab district revealed that some 500 households are severely vulnerable and affected by long winter period and are in urgent need”.
The current needs assessment has been conducted in close cooperation with local authorities, Committee of Emergency Situation representatives, and community leaders. Based on the situation, this DREF request is focusing on providing support and assistance to the most affected population in six administrative centers (jamoats) of Murgab district. The process will be facilitated through Tajikistan Red Crescent in close cooperation with local authorities and community leaders. Training for 200 volunteers on food security assessment in 20 affected districts across the country also will be conducted. This operation is expected to be completed by the end of four months.
The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a fund set up by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross/Red Crescent emergency response to disasters.
IFRC, which is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 187 member National Societies, established its permanent presence in Tajikistan in 1994 to provide assistance to the most vulnerable population of the country in close cooperation with the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan (RCS). Initially the International Federation programs in Tajikistan have been developed with focus on food provision to vulnerable population and medical supplies to health care institutions. Since 2004, the International Federation has extended the variety of program initiatives, including disaster preparedness and response, relief targeting the most vulnerable, community-based first aid and public health campaign, water and sanitation projects and organizational development. These initiatives have been implemented with a number of emergency response operations caused by natural disasters. The Country Representation provides technical and advisory support for the National Society in planning, implementation and monitoring of the programs, as well as general supervision.
Tajikistan’s Red Crescent Society (RCS) is one of the oldest humanitarian organizations in the country and is providing assistance to people in need since 1927. Currently, RCS implements more than 20 projects in the fields of health, disaster management and organizational development with the financial support of IFRC, ICRC and European countries RCs.
