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Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan Earthquake: DREF Bulletin No. MDRKG004

Attachments

GLIDE n=B0 EQ-2008-000181-KGZ

The International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of unearmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation's disaster response system and increases the ability of national societies to respond to disasters.

CHF 219,741 (USD 200,860 or EUR 139,962) has been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the National Society in delivering immediate assistance to a minimum of 866 beneficiaries.

Summary: An earthquake measuring 8 points on the MSK earthquake intensity scale hit the Osh region of Kyrgyzstan at 21.53 on 5 October 2008. The epicentre of the quake was 220 km south-east of Osh city, in the territory of Tajikistan. As of 6 October, 75 people are reported killed, 200 injured, 128 houses destroyed and more than 70 per cent of infrastructure damaged in Nura village with a population of 941 people in Alai district. Around 200 families are in need of warm clothes and footwear, bedding, hygiene and household items and food supplies. Taking into account the support already being provided, the National Society will distribute food items, bedding such as mattresses, blankets and bed linen, hygiene items, kitchen sets and warm clothes to 866 people affected by the earthquake. The emergency stock of the National Society will also be replenished.

This operation is expected to be implemented over three months and will therefore be completed by 8 January 2008; a Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by 8 April 2008).

The situation

An earthquake measuring 8 points on the 12-point MSK scale hit Osh region of Kyrgyzstan at 21:53 on 5 October 2008. The epicentre was 220 km south-east of Osh city, on the territory of Tajikistan. The earthquake was felt in Osh city (6 MSK), in Batken (5-6 MSK) and in Bishkek (3.5 MSK) respectively. The most affected Nura village of Alai district is situated close to the border between Kyrgyzstan and China. In Nura village out of the 941 people, 75 people are reported killed including 31 children, and 200 were injured. Initial assessments conducted by the Ministry of Emergencies report that 128 houses in Nura village have been destroyed and more than 70 per cent of the infrastructure damaged. The ministry staff has been carrying out search and rescue activities, and the scale of damage to other villages of Alai district and villages in the neighbouring Chon-Alai district is being clarified. There are also a number of stand-alone houses spread over the area.

The roads in the affected area are damaged, which is an obstacle for the transportation of relief goods. The Ministry of Emergencies is using helicopters to access the area. There was a communication channel established by the emergency structures but there is no other communication with the affected areas. Electricity supply has reportedly been restored via electric transformer sub-stations. A tent camp has been set up in the area where 100 families are currently accommodated. Other affected people are staying in the customs building and other administrative offices located at the border control area but they are expected to be transferred to the camp. The displaced people are unwilling to move far away from their place of residence even on a temporary basis. The government sent to the disaster site 50 winter tents, 100 heaters, food and 600 litres of drinking water. The Ministry of Health is providing health services to those injured; some 200 people have been evacuated to the hospitals in the neighbouring villages or in Osh city.

The villages hit by the earthquake are situated in remote mountain areas that are not easily accessible. In winter the roads are often blocked due to the weather conditions, making them even more cut off than at other times of the year. The air temperature on the spot is around 0 degree Celsius; it is windy and snow is expected in the coming two-three weeks. Besides, the government is concerned that this winter Kyrgyzstan could suffer from an energy crisis; electricity rationing has already been practiced recently. There was a sharp increase of prices for bread and basic food staples in the country last year, which had a severe impact on the poor that form a large segment of the Kyrgyz population. The expected energy crisis will force the prices for food and fuel to rise further.

The president of Kyrgyzstan and the minister of emergencies visited the disaster site. The government has called for support from the international community to address the urgent and mid-term needs of the people affected by the earthquake. The official government request as of 6 October included: 200 power generators, family food packages for 600 families, warm clothes, bedding and beds, hygiene items, construction materials and means to support a tent camp for 600 families. The relief goods will be gathered in two centres, in Bishkek and Osh, and later delivered to the disaster site. The government is ready to assist with transportation. Psychological support is also recognized as a need as the government lacks the full means to provide this kind of assistance.