Tajik population vulnerable to another harsh winter
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan - 18 January, 2009 “This year’s mild winter provided a better environment compared to the last year, however fuel and food prices are very high,” says 26 year old Dilbar Atoeva. Her husband returned after working Russia one month ago, and now works as a taxi driver with the hope to return to Russia once the situation there gets better. Dilbar has two children and copes with the support of her extended family in Panj district (Southern Tajikistan), who survived last year’s winter thanks to remittance from Russia. “Many families in our district rely entirely on their sons, who work in Russia and send back money for food purchases.” An estimated 800,000 people require emergency food assistance in Tajikistan. In September, UNICEF launched a joint appeal with the WHO and WFP to address nutritional vulnerabilities. The $200,000 (USD) programme is currently underway in five districts, and involves the provision of high protein biscuits and mineral supplements, with the WHO training primary health care workers on how to identify and manage malnutrition. “Concerted efforts have been made by UNICEF, other UN agencies, the Tajik Government and NGOs to increase readiness for another severe Winter,” says UNICEF Tajikistan Representative Hongwei Gao, “but another prolonged crisis would nevertheless present a major challenge to the population, children in particular.” Despite the efforts of the Government and its international partners, the population of Tajikistan remains vulnerable due to a range of factors. The country is a net importer of food, and a significant part of household income relies on remittances by overseas labour that looks set to decrease significantly due to the global economic crisis. Spring draughts, causing significant crop failures, and rising global food prices have worsened an already difficult situation. Children are particularly at risk from poor nutrition, and UNICEF is implementing a $1.4 million (USD) programme to address the impact of the poor food security situation on children. Starting this January, the programme aims to contribute to the reduction of the under-five mortality rate associated with malnutrition and achieve improved child survival through the training of national and regional health experts, the provision of growth monitoring equipment, vitamin and mineral supplements. Additionally, therapeutic units in high risk areas will be established along with the provision of food treatment for severely malnourished children, and counselling for mothers and caregivers on young child feeding practices. In 2008 UNICEF has provided 1100 primary health care facilities with primary health kits, which include essential drugs and equipment to provide health care to children, such as oral rehydrations salts, antibiotics. Respiratory infection is the main threat to children in cold weather conditions and efforts have therefore been made to strengthen medical response mechanisms. Incubators for new born care have also been provided to almost half of Tajikistan’s 26 maternity hospitals.
UNICEF’s water and sanitation programmes provide a further defence against the effects of harsh winter weather which would disrupt access to clean water, increasing the risk of infection. As part of an ongoing hygiene campaign water purification tablets have been distributed and hygiene information and best practices have been disseminated widely. Children at schools where UNICEF has contributed clean water facilities also learn about safe hygiene practices, knowledge that they in turn pass on to their communities. Many schools are ill-equipped to cope with very cold temperatures as insulation is often lacking and adequate heating is not available. UNICEF has provided stoves and fuel to remote area schools and has also funded projects for the insulation of schools in order to lessen their cold weather vulnerability. Cumulatively UNICEF aims to reduce the vulnerability of children to emergencies through programmes that support health and nutrition in the long term. Emergency response measures are designed to meet short term needs so that overall development and progress is not put at risk. Throughout the past year UNICEF has given particular attention to emergency preparedness mechanisms and resources in its own work and its dialogue with the government of Tajikistan. Stockpiles of emergency supplies are in place at UNICEF´s warehouse in the capital Dushanbe, including generators, water purification and hygiene materials, mattresses and blankets, as well as high protein biscuits. Those supplies are designed to meet the immediate life-threatening needs of those at most risk in the event of another severe winter, but further stocks will be required in case of a major, compounded, crisis situation. The preparations undertaken by UNICEF in 2008 can be best described as a three pronged approach; stockpiling of critical emergency supplies for initial needs, a partnership with the Government on strengthening community response mechanisms, and collaborative efforts with UN and other development partners to strengthen defences. The Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team (REACT), led by the government’s Committee for Emergency Situation, is the focal point and coordinating body of all the UN, governmental and civil society disaster management efforts. UNICEF has reviewed and updated its emergency response and contingency plans for use in a recurring winter emergency. Last year’s extreme winter temperatures (as low as -25 centigrade at night in Dushanbe) were the coldest on record for 44 years and took both the population and authorities by surprise. A recurrence of such winter temperatures will not take the country by surprise once more, which helps with overall readiness and planning. The Tajik Government has also taken steps to mitigate key risk factors. Major problems with the supply of electricity, which contributed significantly to the 2008 crisis, have been addressed, and a failure of the system is less likely than before although severe cold damage to the power grid cannot be ruled out. Major cities enjoy a near-constant supply of electricity, with some conservation efforts visible, such as limited powering of street lights at certain times. Rural areas have access to electricity for four to five hours in the mornings and evenings. The government has also set up local selling points for coal and gas as part of their preparation for the 2009 winter.
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