Emergency Assistance for Cold Wave Disaster in the Republic of Tajikistan

February 8, 2008

On February 7 (Thu), the Government of Japan has decided to extend emergency relief goods (blankets) equivalent to approximately 10 million yen to the Republic of Tajikistan in respond to the disaster caused by a cold wave.
A big cold wave, the most severe in 40 years, has struck Tajikistan since last month, causing increasingly severe electric shortage. The failure of electricity seriously affects the daily lives of approximately one million people, mainly in the urban areas, especially new-born babies and patients, because many hospitals and clinics have been unable to provide adequate treatment.
　Facing the serious situation in the country with food shortage caused by blockade of traffic and a scarcity of drinking water caused by burst and freezing of water pipes, the Government of Tajikistan has requested emergency assistance from the Government of Japan, while making maximum efforts to support those in need.
Japan has decided to extend this emergency assistance from a humanitarian point of view for the suffered people and in view of its friendly relations with the Republic of Tajikistan.

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