Embassy News

U.S. Provides more Than $2 million in Assistance to Tajikistan

PAS No 207
February 21, 2008

Ashgabat, February 21, 2008 – During the worst winter to blast its cold winds on Central Asia in 40 years, the people of the United States have reached out to help.  Similar to the Turkmenistan government’s humanitarian efforts to help needy people in Tajikistan, the United States Agency for International Development has set out to alleviate the suffering caused by extreme winter weather.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing more than $830,000 to the people of Tajikistan during a humanitarian crisis in the country.  This funding will help to provide fuel, heaters, clothing, household supplies, and health services to those in need through USAID partners Save the Children, CARE, and Mercy Corps.  In addition, the U.S. Department of State is shipping more than 259,000 humanitarian daily rations to Tajikistan.  The total value of the rations, including transportation, brings the total value of U.S. Government humanitarian assistance to nearly $2.5 million.

Since January 2008, extreme cold weather and social and economic factors have resulted in food insecurity, power shortages, and damage to agricultural assets and water systems in Tajikistan.  According to the UN World Food Program and other international partners, food insecurity is affecting more than 550,000 people, of whom at least 260,000 need immediate assistance. 

The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.  The U.S. Government stands ready to further assist the people of Tajikistan should it be necessary.  For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance programs, please visit: www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/