A U.S. Army officer oversees the transfer of supplies to the Tajikistan army. The supplies are intended to aid victims of flooding in Kulob.
KULOB, Tajikistan (May 16, 2010) — Since floods and mudslides struck residents of the Kulob area of the Khatlon province on May 7, the United States government, at the request of the Government of Tajikistan, has provided more than $588,000 in humanitarian assistance to help affected households.
This assistance includes tents, sanitation kits, and other emergency supplies to families in Kulob and the Vose, Temurmalik, Muminobod, Khovaling, Shurobod, Baljuvon, Shaartuz and Jilikul districts. All assistance has been targeted to meet the requests of the Government of Tajikistan and is coordinated through the joint government-donor-non-government Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team (REACT).
On May 11, 2010, Ambassador Ken Gross issued a disaster declaration, recognizing the significant damage in the Kulob area, and the request for assistance from the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan. That same day, the U.S. Government delivered $277,614 worth of non-food items to flood victims. Counterpart International distributed cots, beds, mattresses, blankets, pillows, towels and other household items valued at $214,120. The U.S. Government also provided $63,497 in medical supplies to the Central District Hospital of Kulob.
On May 14, 2010, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided emergency supplies, such as hygiene kits, mattresses, blankets, and medical supplies, to more flood victims. With additional USAID funding, Save the Children is providing cooking oil to the affected population.
And on May 16, 2010, the United States Government sent an Air Force C-17 Globemaster cargo plane directly to Kulob with a full load of large, durable tents. These tents were delivered to the Tajikistan State Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense (CoES) and will provide shelter for an estimated 1600 people. Experts from the U.S. Embassy taught CoES staff how to assemble the tents at the Kulob stadium that afternoon. The aircraft returned to Kuwait that same day. “We are amazed by the kind gesture,” remarked Gen. Khaibullo Latipov, Chairman of the CoES, when the aircraft landed. “It is good to know that we have a friend we can count on in this region when the unpredictable happens.”
The U.S. Government continues to monitor the situation closely and already has committed additional funds towards school reconstruction, medical clinic renovationm and water works rehabilitation projects. As early as today, the U.S. government will deliver an additional $10,000 in drinking water, food and fuel to the surrounding districts of Kulob.
The floods have already killed at least 22 people, leaving another 50 missing, over 200 injured, and more than 2,000 displaced from their homes. The combined assistance efforts of various agencies and partner organizations represent the U.S. Government’s firm commitment to support the people of Tajikistan in their time of need.