DUSHANBE, July 29, 2011, Asia-Plus — The European Commission allocated 175,000 somoni (€ 25,000) to bring relief to over 200 affected families, the victims of summer floods in the northern Sughd province, the European Union Delegation in Tajikistan reports.
The European Commission has allocated 175,000 somoni (€ 25,000) to bring relief to the 213 families (1,278 people) affected by the June floods in Tajikistan”s northern province of Sughd. Between June 11 and 12 strong winds and torrential rains caused floods in Sughd. Worst hit were 12 villages across the districts of Asht, Ghonchi and Panjakent. The floods also damaged roads, a hospital, schools, drinking water supply systems, irrigation water supply lines and electricity lines. Crops and farmland have been devastated in the area.
The aid provided by the European Commission is being channeled through the International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent via the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). From the onset of the disaster, the primary needs of people who were left homeless were taken care of by the Tajikistan Red Crescent Society with the support of the International Federation of the Red Cross societies (IFRC).
The funds are being used to provide basic households items such as mattresses, blankets, cooking sets and hygiene kits to the families. Families who lost their houses are being provided with tents.
Since 2003 the European Commission is supporting local communities and authorities in Tajikistan to prepare for natural disaster in the framework of its Disaster Preparedness programme (DIPECHO). Over 40 projects have helped communities across Tajikistan prepare for natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and landslides in order to avoid loss of live and reduce their impact on people”s livelihoods.
The European Commission has signed a €3 million humanitarian contribution agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Federation”s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). Funds from the DREF are mainly allocated to “small-scale” disasters – those that do not give rise to a formal international appeal.
The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund was established in 1985 and is supported by contributions from donors. Each time a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society needs immediate financial support to respond to a disaster, it can request funds from the DREF. For small-scale disasters, the IFRC allocates grants from the Fund, which can then be replenished by the donors. The contribution agreement between the IFRC and the European Commission enables the latter to replenish the DREF for agreed operations (that fit in with its humanitarian mandate) up to a total of €3 million.
