Winter energy crisis Situation Report No.4 Page 1 Situation Report 4 – winter energy crisis – KYRGYZSTAN - 6 MARCH 2009

SITUATION people receiving social benefits had risen in 2008 by 3.2 per cent to 60,200 individuals. The rise was seen 1. Scheduled power cuts are continuing around the mainly in the northern Talas, Issyk Kul and Chuy country – hospitals, children’s shelters and Provinces. This was mainly due to an increase in institutions, and other critical institutions outside children registered as disabled and in families without provincial centres continue to have no electricity for breadwinners. However, on 16 February, the MLSD several hours a day. In northern Kyrgyzstan the announced that in 2008 the number of recipients of situation has intensified because the withdrawal of Unified Monthly Benefits for the most vulnerable Kazakhstan from the Central Asian Unified Energy individuals in the country fell by 15.8% or 71,100 System on 25 February means that there is no longer people. The biggest falls were in Chuy and Issyk Kul capacity to provide electricity at peak times (8 to 10 Provinces and city. a.m. and 6 to 10 p.m.) to all consumers. Northern 6. On 26 February, the Minister of Economic Kyrgyzstan’s ration for electricity usage has been Development and Trade announced that he expects to reduced from 517 million kWh in February to 300 see a fall in remittances this year. However, he million kWh in March. Extended schedules for power expects that this will be less than in neighbouring cuts in northern Kyrgyzstan (outside ) are countries because most Kyrgyzstani labour migrants currently being finalized with reports indicating that work in trade and services rather than construction. residents of these districts will be without electricity 7. On 26 February, the Minister of Economic for 10-14 hours per day, as opposed to 6 hours Development and Trade announced that he expects to previously. see a fall in remittances this year. However, he 2. Western Province has again suffered power expects that this will be less than in neighbouring cuts from from 24 February, because of countries because of the fact that most Kyrgyzstani power shortages in that country. There have been labour migrants work in trade and services rather than ongoing reports of border tension over electricity and construction. water supply. 3. As of 2 March the volume of Toktogul Reservoir was INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE 6.860 billion cubic metres, 95% of the volume at the same time last year. The trend suggests that by the 8. The revised Flash Appeal seeks a total of $14,751,781. end of March, the reservoir will contain approximately Recent confirmations of funding from Great Britain the same volume of water as last year, but this may be and Switzerland for the WFP intervention will bring affected by power shortages in Tajikistan and southern the total commitment of funding to $7,930,654 or Kazakhstan. 54%. Negotiations and awareness raising activities 4. Snow continues to intensify winter difficulties. On 24 are ongoing with other potential donors to improve the February two people went missing during an reach of the Flash Appeal projects. avalanche in Alay district of Osh Province. The 9. A new Emergency Centre for street children has search was called off on 2 March. Also on 2 March, a opened in Osh with the support of UNICEF and shepherd was killed by an avalanche in Karakulja EveryChild. Existing shelters in and Bishkek district of Osh Province. Roads in Chatkal, have been provided with essential clothing and Bazarkorgon and Toktogul districts of Jalalabat medical supplies. Province, Ak Suy and Tyup districts of Issyk Kul 10. Distribution of food to refugees in Bishkek, Osh and Province, Jayil district of Chuy Province and by UNHCR is well underway and is expected Karakulja district of Osh Province were blocked by to be completed by 6 March snow in late February and early March. This is 11. WFP’s implementing partners are working closely connected to a sudden rise in temperature in with local authorities to ensure the accuracy of their mountainous areas. lists of beneficiaries. If the lists are found to be 5. On 3 March, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development (MLSD) announced that the number of

Winter energy crisis Kyrgyzstan Situation Report No.4 Page 2 accurate, distribution of supplies is expected to COORDINATION commence in March. 12. GTZ have almost completed their EUR300,000 15. Humanitarian coordination is currently facilitated by a distribution of food to vulnerable families in Batken humanitarian coordination specialist in the UN RC Province. They have been coordinating closely with Unit in Kyrgyzstan and through the leads of the five ACTED, WFP’s partner in the Province sectoral groups that have been activated for the 13. Mercy Corps and Save the Children have preliminary purpose. approval from USAID for a $7 million food 16. With the support of DFID and UNDP, an Early distribution programme in and Issyk Kul Recovery Unit has been established within the UN Oblasts, as well as districts in Jalalabat and Osh Resident Coordinator’s Unit to develop a coordinated Oblasts. This will free up WFP resources to strategy to tackle dovetailing humanitarian and concentrate on vulnerable families in the rest of the development concerns, such as energy and food country. The project was developed as a result of the insecurity, and sustainable land management. findings of WFP’s Emergency Food Security 17. This situation report, together with further information Assessment. on other ongoing emergencies is also available on the 14. USAID have been continuing their $1 million OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int. distribution of generators for healthcare facilities. On 25 February ceremonies were held in Osh and Jalalabat Oblasts to mark the arrival of generators for oblast and district hospitals in those regions

Contact details UN Offices in Kyrgyzstan Mr. Neal Walker Resident Coordinator

Ms. Aynura Alymbekova Emergencies focal point Fax: + 996 312 611 191 Tel: + 996 312 611 224 OCHA Office in Almaty Ms. Gabriella Waaijman E-mail: [email protected] +7 727 2528 643 +7 7777 809 071

Mr. Ali Buzurukov E-mail: [email protected] + 7 727 2528 643 (Russian speaking) +7 7777 809 073 Desk Officer/Focal Points: Ms. Séverine Rey (New York) Direct Tel. + 1 917 367 5336 E-mail: [email protected]

Ms. Pieter Neussl (Geneva) Office Tel: +41 22 917 4329 E-mail: [email protected] Press Contact: (NY) Ms. Stephanie Bunker Office Tel : + 1 917-367-5126 Office Fax: + 1 212-963-1312 Email: [email protected] Press Contact: (GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs Office Tel + 41 22 917 26 53 Office Fax + 41 22 917 00 20 E-mail: [email protected] Press Contact: (GVA) Ms. Nadia Evans Office Tel + 971 50 227 9808 E-mail: [email protected]