Estonia Helps Tajikistan Cope with Cold Front
12.02.2008
The Estonian Foreign Ministry helped support Tajikistan, which is suffering as a result of a cold front, with 500,000 kroons donated through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
According to Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, the situation in Tajikistan right now is dire. “The coldest winter in decades has created a humanitarian catastrophe in Tajikistan,” said Paet. Initial estimates indicate that the cold front may have caused economic damages in the amount of almost 245 million USA dollars.
UNICEF is providing Tajikistan with extra generators, blankets, and other necessities. It is estimated that Tajikistan requires aid equalling about 720,000 USA dollars in value.
Millions of people in Tajikistan are currently without electricity and heat. The nation’s energy supplies, which can only supply consumers with 1-2 hours of power a day, are running out. The situation is further complicated by the sudden drop in the water level of the reservoir that feeds the Nurek hydroelectric power station. Heavy snowfall has blocked many traffic intersections and made it difficult to obtain food supplies.
Tajikistan is the poorest nation in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). 57% of the population lives below the poverty line. The nation is completely dependent on humanitarian aid.
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