Drought Effects on Water, Sanitation and health in Tajikistan WHO, 28 July 2000

I. On Friday (28.07.20000 ), I went to Kurgan Tjube accompanied by Dr.J.Chonte (UNICEF) and Dr.B.Shoismatulaev (Chief of Republican SES) to participate in the meeting of UN agencies and NGOs concerning the assessment of drought impact on water sanitation and health of the population in affected areas. The following international organizations took part in the assessment meeting: WHO, UNICEF, UNOPS, MERLIN, ACTED and Ecologia.

The head of WHO office clarified the main objectives of UN assessment mission of drought effects on water sanitation and health. In his presentation he pointed out that the continuous lack of rainfalls caused a great shortage of water supplies and limited to a great extent the access to safe drinking water in the country and in its southern part in particular. That was the reason for a sharp increase of waterborne diseases (DD, malaria) as well as anthrax, brucellosis etc.

The drought also caused a very significant drop in the wheat yield. The food crisis and the inadequate access to clean water contributed to the poor child nutritional status in Tajikistan. The main aim of the mission was defined by WHO Head of Office as following:

1. Assessment of drought impact on water availability in the affected areas (quantitative analysis);

2. Water sanitation situation (access to safe water, closed wells, channels, lack of chlorination and filtration);

3. Health aspects of drought impact (incidence trends of DD, malaria, authrax, brucellosis etc.; nutritional status of children, anemia, IDD etc).

4. Behavioural aspects of the affected population (population movements-IDPs/ immigrants; health education level).

The tentative mission shedule was approved: visits to Kurgan Tyube, Kolkhozabad, Kabodion, Shartuz, Kulyab district and Leninabad region during the period 27.07-1.08.2000. During the visits of the mission WHO office will be presented by Dr.B.Shoismatuloev who will submit his report during the next week.

I. I was informed by Prof. K.Rufiev, Deputy Minister of Health that on official letter by Dr. A.Ahmedov, Minister of Health addressed to Dr.M.Danzon, WHO Regional Director concerning MOH Appeal for humanitarian health assistance because of the drought impact has been prepared. As soon as I receive it ( maybe today), the message will be sent by fax to WHO / EURO with a copy to you.

II. The expected peak of the high incidence of some infectious diseases is as follows:

 DD -July/August  Typhoid- August/September  Anthrax-August/September  Brucelosis- August  Cholera outbreak could be expected in August/September  Malaria- July/September