RED CRESCENT’S NEWSLETTER

Supported by IFRC Country Representation in Tajikistan #8, Mar-Apr 2012 Saving lives, changing minds Наҷоти ҳаётҳо, тағйири нигоҳҳо

DISASTERS ATTACK. RED CRESCENT RESPONDS The Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan and its counterparts are not indifferent to the people, affected by latest natural disasters and harsh winter consequences.

Tajikistan, our small mountainous country, witnessed about 200 natural disasters - floods, earthquakes and avalanches during only four months of this year. Heavy snow- falls and unusual low temperatures have caused many problems all over the country.

According to the preliminary assessments, natural disasters killed 16 people, left more than 11,000 people homeless or damaged their houses. In addition to the homes, as a result of floods and avalanches, the popula- tion has lost its home properties; the infra- structure has been damaged.

Severe climate conditions had negative con- sequences on food security in Tajikistan, as remoteness and blockage of roads reduced people’s access to food, as well as provision of social and medical assistance to the popu- lation, especially vulnerable groups.

IFRC supports Tajikistan Red Crescent Soci- ety from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) in delivering immediate food assis- tance to vulnerable households-in-need in Murghob district, as well as in replenishing the National Society’s emergency stocks.

The National Society has already responded to more than 50 disasters and reached about 3,500 affected people.

The German Red Cross provides food assis- tance to some 600 families in Zarafshon valley of Sughd province to contribute to overall emergency assistance for popula- tions affected by food insecurity in Tajiki- stan. These families are receiving food aid ration for 4 months and potato seeds and fertilizers.

Meanwhile temperatures have risen with the on set of spring; however, in the higher altitudes, extreme cold and power outages prevail. According to the weather forecast, April and May are more challenging, as a result of the increased possibility of the occurrence of floods and mudflows.

In this regard, the president of the country ordered to establish disaster response opera- tion points all over the country involving local authorities, national disaster response stakeholders in order to be prepared and respond timely and effectively to the disas- ters.

Turn the page for more details about Red Cross/Red Crescent actions to ease the people’s sufferings. RED CRESCENT: NO MORE HUNGRY EYES

Oygul Abdraimova, a mother of 6 children, despite of her 46 years old, looks graciously and young in comparison to her neighbors in the centre of Murghob district; speaks fluent Russian and understands Tajiki very well. Both she and her husband work in a local school: she is in the administrative office, her husband as a teacher of music. Including the pension of the family’s grandmother, Abdraimovas make about TJS 1,000 (200$) income per month. Enough good income for a family in Murghob district, but not enough even to buy sufficient flour – a 50 kg bag of wheat flour costs 165 TJS. Abdraimovas’ family needs at least 2 bags per month.

It was 2 pm when we entered Oygul’s home and I’ve asked her, what they had today for breakfast and lunch. Her answer was identical to many of her neighbors’ answers to the same question: “We make shirchay (a traditional breakfast dish for Badakhshon region of Tajikistan made of just milk and tea) once in two days. We have to buy dry milk paying TJS 30 (USD 6-7) per kg. Today we had just tea and bread, but made a little bit mashed potatoes for our 5 years old Jonibek. For dinner? Tea and bread for us and some more mashed potatoes for little Joni”, Oygul’s cheeks are reddening when she admits what she and her children really eat every day. In Tajikistan, especially in mountainous parts, people usually shy to show their poorness and need- iness.

We knocked the next door. Qulmamad spent all of his 57 years in Murghob district. He was born there, married there and is growing his five children there. His oldest child is just 14 years old and unable to help his family much in earning money. The only source of Qulmamad’s income is gathering firewood and selling them. A whole bullock-cart of the firewood costs 18 Tajiki somonies, less than 4 dollars, but in the day we met him returning from the bazaar, he was unlucky to sell any part of his cart. In days when he is not able to sell anything, Qulmamad, in order to survive, borrows food from the stores. He says: “I’ve already owed more than $100 to food sellers. Not big figure? We try not to eat much and to save food. We mostly feed the children, although our food is not sufficient even for them”.

Few homes away Turot, an old man in age of 63, takes care of his seven little grandchildren. His daugh- ter – Guzira gave a birth for the 8th time three days before our visit and was in the maternity hospital. Seven out of 8 Guzira’s children, including newborn baby are girls. The father of the children digs in mountains and his income is enough. Turot looks very worried for his grandchildren: “I saw a lot of things in my life, harsh life and difficult situations. But I do not want to see how these little angels starve. Believe me, it is not easy to look at the hungry eyes of a child”.

I believe him. Many international and local organizations active in Tajikistan believe him as well. Al- ready dozens of assessments were held and all of them have the same result: the situation is not easy – people suffer from the lack of food. Winter came prolonged and harsh this year, roads were blocked because of the floods and avalanches, villages are located far enough and in remote areas difficult to reach, price of food is rising and rising and all these made severe negative consequences on the food security in Tajikistan. Murghob, a district located about 1,000 km far from capital city , or at least 24 hours of non-stop drive on the hard, mountainous and dangerous roads, is most vulnerable place. The district with the total population of more than 14,000 people, occupies more than 30% of Tajikistan territory. Mostly habited by ethnic Kyrgyzs, the settlements named jamoats are located very far from each other. The main source of income for the population is cattle breeding.

Mr. Murzabay Joshboev, the Head of Murghob district, says, due to unforeseen cold weather, popula- tion lost a lot of its livestock. Mr. Joshboev says, “in order to somehow heat their houses, people were forced to spend most of family income for heating, the price for which was significantly increased for the last months.The access to the district was blocked almost 20-25 days in March, which, in turn, negatively affected district’s food market”.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), one of the first internation- al organizations responded the call to help people in need in Tajikistan. 151, 200 MT of wheat flour, 9000 ltrs of vegetable oil, 18 MT of sugar and 500 kg of black tea has been delivered to Murghob and current- ly are being disseminated in 6 jamoats there. Most vulnerable multi-children families, female-headed and elderlies living alone, in total 3,000 people (more than 20% of Murghob district population) are be- ing provided with four months supplementary food. The food assistance is provided from IFRC’s Disas- ter Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). Mr. Eric Michel-Sellier, IFRC Country Representative in Tajikistan says “It is our mission and the meaning of our life in the Red Cross/Red Crescent to serve the people, who extend hands to us asking for help. Of course, we could not stay on the side just looking how people are suffering from the lack of food. We target, first of all, most vulnerable groups. Currently, we are evaluating the situation in other regions and based on the results of our assessments, we surely will do our best to cover other regions too”. More multimedia from this action:

Makhsadbek, 36 years old, was inexpressibly happy to Loading food in Dushanbe get his family’s portion of flour, oil, tea and sugar. The father of 4, he admitted that the last time his family had Caravan in the way to Badakhshan flour at home two months ago< He has not his own roof on his head, but lives in an abandoned high school. Welcoming ceremony in He was not able to keep his eyes dry, receiving flour – I Caravan in Murghob. Part I was not able to take a picture of this moment, being under emotions. But now he knows that his children Caravan in Murghob. Part II will not be hungry for a long more period, and he knows that he’s not alone in this difficult period of his life. NOT LEAVING PEOPLE ALONE IN DISASTERS

IFRC supports the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan from its Disaster Relief Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and De- Emergency Fund (DREF) also in delivering immediate assistance to some velopment, the German Red Cross (GRC) has recently started an emergency 156 households with about 1,000 family members and to replenish the emer- relief food security operation in Zarafshon valley in close cooperation with gency stocks. the Tajik Red Crescent Society and the Government of Tajikistan.

The National Society has already provided 105 most affected households The need for such assistance has evolved immediately following the official with non-food items from its disaster preparedness stocks and intends to report prepared by the World Food Programme in January 2012, which clas- provide support to 51 additional households most affected and vulnerable in sified most mountainous areas as an acute food and livelihood crisis. Kulob, Temurmalik and Roshtqal’a. The basic needs of the affected people are non-food items including: water jerry cans, kitchen sets, gas stoves, cook- While the main goal of the GRC emergency operation is to contribute to ing sets, thermos, hygiene kits; bedding (mattresses, blankets, pillows, and overall emergency assistance for populations affected by food insecurity in bed-linen); shovels and hoes. Tajikistan, the GRC project shall provide services in most vulnerable, remote and food insecure areas not only by providing access to basic food commodi- Mr. Zafar Muhabbatov, RCST Secretary General says, “the Red Crescent re- ties, but also by providing potato seeds and fertilizers as a support measure sponded to about 50 of medium-scale disasters through deployment of the National for longer term subsidiary farming and own agricultural production of fami- Disaster Response Team (NDRT)/Local Disaster Committees (LDC), conducted lies to improve local food stocks. needs assessment, rendered first aid, and provided some most affected and vulnerable households with non-food items from its prepositioned stocks. The Red Crescent staff Mr. Ikrom Soliev, German Red Cross Delegate in Tajikistan, says: “assistance and volunteers helped to clean mud away from the houses and set up tents for the are being provided to 600 households (3,600 people) most affected by food insecurity families, whose houses were totally destroyed. The distributions were conducted by in Ayni, Panjakent and Kuhistoni Mastchoh districts of Zarafshon valley in Sughd the Red Crescent Society national disaster response team members and responsible province. Main areas of project activity includes beneficiary selection and distribu- staff jointly with local authorities and CoES representatives”. tion of commodities in two rounds: food aid ration for May and June along with potato seeds and fertilizers; and food aid ration for two more months, July and Au- The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund support will be used to replenish the gust”. disaster emergency stock in five RCST regional level Emergency Response Centres to be prepared for the response to forecasted disasters. Mr. Soliev says, the German Red Cross relies on its existing capacity of part- nership with the Tajik Red Crescent Society and the Government of Tajiki- The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a fund set up by the Interna- stan, as well as its experience from past community-based project interven- tional Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in 1985 to tions in Zarafshon valley. The already established and well-functioning ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross/Red Cres- RCST Local Disaster Management Committees are engaged as much as pos- cent emergency response to disasters. sible in all project related activities at the community level. TAJIKISTAN RED CRESCENT AND CHINESE RED CROSS WILL ENHANCE THE COOPERATION The Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan and the Red Cross Society of China signed an agreement on friendly cooperation on 12 March 2012 in Beijing, the capital of People’s Republic of China. The agreement was signed by Mme. Hao Linna, Vice President of Chinese Red Cross and Mr. Zafar Muhabbatov, RCST Secretary General.

The purpose of this friendly agreement is to further develop and enhance the cooper- ation between the Red Cross Society of China and the Red Crescent Society of Tajiki- stan. Mr. Zafar Muhabbatov says, “The signed agreement is the start point of cooperation between both National Societies. Under this agreement both national societies will ensure the regular exchange of information and views to strengthen coordination and mutual support; enhance mutual understanding and study through the personnel exchanges and visit; the Chinese Red Cross will support the Tajikistan Red Crescent to strengthen the capacity build- ing in the fields of disaster preparedness and disaster relief, first aid, etc.”.

The agreement was signed during the official visit of Tajikistan delegation to China. The delegation was composed of the management of RCST and IFRC Country Repre- sentation in Tajikistan. In the meetings with the leadership of the Red Cross in China the possibilities of implementation of cooperative programmes on disaster prepared- ness, disaster relief, prevention of HIV/AIDS, as well as other issues were discussed.

Mr. Eric Michel-Sellier, IFRC Country Representative in Tajikistan says, “Cooperation with the Chinese Red Cross will create a possibility to expand the Tajikistan Red Crescent activities and to strengthen its capacity to assist needy people. IFRC, in its turn, is always ready to support the Tajikistan Red Crescent in its efforts to search new opportunities in as- sisting people in need and strengthening its capacity”.

Tajikistan delegation also visited a Chinese Red Cross emergency relief centre in Beijing, some primary organizations in communities, as well as Xinjiang Autonomous Regional Branch of the Chinese Red Cross. NLRC IN TAJIKISTAN: TEN YEARS OF ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION

The Netherlands Red Cross Society (NLRC) has been closely cooperating with the Red Crescent Socie- ties of since early 1990s in the areas of disaster response, disaster preparedness, Communi- ty-Based First Aid (CBFA), youth support, and capacity building of the National Societies. Since 2000, the organization put the emphasis on development programmes promoting community-based develop- ment approaches.

NLRC country office in Tajikistan was first opened in 2002, supporting the implementation of joint pro- grammes with the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan (RCST). In 2009, the office assumed additional functions and became the regional office of NLRC in Central Asia, administering regional programmes of the organization.

Elzat Mamutalieva, NLRC’s Regional Programme Manager for Central Asia says, “over the past decade, NLRC mobilized over three million euros to implement a wide range of initiatives to serve the most vulnerable groups of the country. Thousands of beneficiaries and hundreds of communities throughout Tajikistan benefited from a number of projects, including from community-based disaster preparedness activities, community-based health and first aid project, establishment of social reintegration centers for vulnerable women, support for affected population from cold wave in 2008-2009 winter, enhancing capacities of local branches of the National Society in delivering key services to their constituents, and others. The Netherlands Red Cross also continued providing contributions towards the RCST disaster response operations through the established Disaster Response Emergency Fund, administered by the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) Secretariat”.

Considering various factors, including changing and challenging environment in resource mobiliza- tion, and, more importantly, the newly developed strategy of NLRC for its international assistance work, the organization had to make a decision to close down its office in Tajikistan at the end of March 2012 and continue its presence in the region from .

While the closure of an office is a big move, NLRC would like to emphasize that the organization will not be stopping its support to Tajikistan nor does the closure of the office in Dushanbe symbolises a definitive withdrawal from the region. NLRC will, through IFRC, continue to support its Movement colleagues during emergencies when needed. While based in Kyrgyzstan, the Netherlands Red Cross will continue looking for new opportunities to work in Central Asia in partnership with sister National Societies, partner National Societies, IFRC and ICRC in the region to address the needs of vulnerable populations of Central Asia.

Meanwhile, NLRC thanks the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan, its highly dedicated staff and volun- teers at headquarters and all branches, PNSs, IFRC and ICRC for a fruitful partnership over the past decade. NLRC hopes that the results and achievements of those projects will last way beyond our presence in Tajikistan.

The Tajik Red Crescent highly commends NLRC’s work in Tajikistan, thanks for the assistance they provided to Tajik people all these years and is looking for- ward to continue cooperation in a different format.

NEW DEPUTY SG IN TAJIK RED CRESCENT Ms. Dilorom Mirova, one of most experienced first aid trainers in Tajikistan, has been appointed new deputy to RCST Secretary General.

An extended meeting of the Central Board of the RCST was held on 12 April. RCST Board mem- bers and employees, as well as representatives of donor organizations participated in the meeting. Current activities, preparations for the Red Crescent Month celebrations in May, the implementa- tion process of the Programme on Primary Organizational Development, as well as new regula- tions and structure of the DM Department were the main topics on the agenda. Meeting was opened by the President of RCST, Dr. Mirojov G. Q. Then, Mr. Zafar Muhabbatov, RCST Secretary General made a brief speech on activities of RCST. K. Hamdullozoda, head of Economic and Fi- nance department, K. Abdulloev, coordinator of Programme on Primary Organizational Develop- ment, Sh. Sangov, head of Disaster Management department, O. Niyozov, head of Logistics de- partment informed the participants with the latest achievements and new challenges. In this meeting Ms. Mirova was elected as a deputy to RCST SG. She has an extensive experience Saving lives, in the RC and already for 10 years trains RCST staff and volunteers, as well as different interna- tional organizations and governmental agencies on first aid provision. Being a professional trainer Changing minds and doctor, she says, to teach people how to save lives became the meaning of her life. DISASTER LAW PROMOTERS CONDUCTED THEIR FIRST MEETING In general, the participants agreed that there are some duplication in the func- tions of the governmental agencies and some obscurity in the matter of ac- ceptance, dissemination and control of international humanitarian aid, foreign rescuers, the technology they bring, the medicines they bring, etc.

Mr. Abdulfattoh Shafiev, Disaster Law Promoter at IFRC Country Representa- tion in Tajikistan reviewed the facts and statistics of disasters at 2011, intro- duced the participants with IFRC Disaster Law researches and recommenda- tions (the guideline and the model act), as well as informed them on the latest success stories from other countries.

The participants were introduced as well to the background of Disaster Law Promotion in Tajikistan by Mr. Shuhrat Sangov, RCST head of DM depart- ment. The first meeting of the “Coordination Group on Disaster Law Promotion in Tajikistan” was held on 10 April, 2012 in Dushanbe to introduce new members Lt-Colonel Boborajab Saidov, head of legal division at the Interior Ministry, of the group from related governmental agencies to IFRC recommendations suggested, officially request the Government to establish an official working on Disaster Laws, the importance of this issue, as well as to discuss the Coor- group to learn the Model Act and local legislation for the possible design of dination Group’s further actions and steps. new law.

The coordination group is established with the key aim to promote the neces- Mr. Rustam Abdusalomov, deputy head of legal department at Customs Ser- sity of improving Tajikistan legislation in order to conform them with IFRC vice, asked to give a lecture on the importance of the issue to his colleagues at recommendations, new decrees and amendments in the laws related to the the Customs Service. acceptance and dissemination of humanitarian assistance and further promo- Mr. Iskandar Sulaymonov from the Border Forces suggested to think on the tion of the Disaster Law implementation in Tajikistan. preparation of a unite database of needs during a disaster. He said the data-

base could be online in order to avoid the duplication in provision of aid by The representatives of the following agencies are the members of the group: the international donors. CoES, State Reserves Agency, Ministry of Transport, Customs Service, Minis- try of Justice, Border Forces, Ministry of Health, Interior Ministry, Ministry of The participants agreed to review the preliminary results of Tajikistan legisla- Economic Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, RCST and IFRC Country tion conformity to IDRL conducted by UNDP DRMP, especially the points Representation. related to their direct job and to share the results of the review with other members of group for the further possible actions. The role of the established coordination group, its terms of references, name, as well as working plan and next steps were discussed in the meeting as well.

The participants actively discussed existing laws and rules of international humanitarian assistance in Tajikistan, gaps and necessary steps towards legal base improvement.

Mr. Shamsuddin Muhuddinov, IFRC DM Programme Manager in Tajikistan noted the importance of conformity of laws to the international standards in nation-wide emergency situations.

Mr. Muhuddinov encouraged the participants to review the national legisla- tion in their sphere of activity and expressed the readiness that in its turn, RC Movement is ready to support and to share the experience in developing and promoting the humanitarian laws.

RED CRESCENT SOCIETY OF TAJIKISTAN STRENGTHENS ITS COOPERATION WITH: OSCE PAKISTAN

The possibility to cooperate in different spheres was discussed in a meeting The possibilities of cooperation between Tajikistan RC and Pakistan RC Soci- between Mr. Zafar Muhabbatov, Tajik Red Crescent Secretary General and eties were discussed in a meeting between Mr. Zafar Muhabbatov, Tajik Red Ivar Vikki, Head of OSCE representative office in Tajikistan. The meeting Crescent Secretary General and Dr. Amjad Husain B. Sial, the Ambassador of was held on 11 April 2012. the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Tajikistan. The meeting was held on 10 During the meeting, Zafar Muhabbatov informed head of OSCE representa- April 2012 at the Embassy of Pakistan in Dushanbe. tive office about Tajikistan Red Crescent mission, current activities and future plans. Mr. Vikki, in his turn, introduced Mr. Muhabbatov with OSCE mis- During the meeting, Zafar Muhabbatov briefly informed the Ambassador sion, activities and programmes in Tajikistan. He showed his interest on about the activities and programmes of RCST. His High Excellency, the Am- mutually beneficial cooperation between OSCE and RCS Tajikistan. bassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in his turn, talked about the Red Mr. Muhabbatov, Secretary General of RCST invited Ivar Vikki, Head of Crescent Society of Pakistan, its activities and expressed his readiness to con- OSCE representative office in Tajikistan to the celebration of Red Crescent tribute in establishing mutually beneficial cooperation between Tajikistan and Month to be held on May in Dushanbe. Pakistan Red Crescent Societies.

Mr. Muhabbatov invited Dr. Amjad Husain B. Sial, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the celebration of Red Crescent Month to be Saving lives, held on May in Dushanbe. Changing minds

May—the Month of Red Crescent

The mercifulness has no borders

Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Monthly Newsletter #8, March—April 2012 Circulation: 90 120, Umar Khayyom str., Dushanbe, 734017. Republic of Tajikistan Tel.: (+992 37) 2240374; 2240033; 2244296 Tel/Fax: (+992 37) 224 4433; 224 8520 E-mails: [email protected]; Weblog: www.tajikistanrc.wordpress.com