The Humanitarian Aid Office of the European Commission (ECHO) has reaffirmed its plans to scale back its humanitarian activities in Tajikistan over the next three years. Since 1993, the EU has provided the impoverished former Soviet republic with 153 million euros (1,3 mia. kr) worth of humanitarian aid.
At this point we are looking at phasing out our humanitarian assistance in 2007, providing the situation remains stable or improves, Cecile Pichon, ECHO head of office, told IRIN in the Tajik capital Dushanbe on Wednesday.
One month earlier, the European Commission announced 8 million euros (60 mio. kr) in humanitarian assistance to the Central Asian state – 20 percent less than its annual contribution the previous year. An additional 2.5 million euros (18,5 mio. kr) was pledged for regional disaster preparedness – the vast majority earmarked for Tajikistan.
Last year we had 10 million euros (74 mio. kr) and decided to begin a very slow phase-down in the country, Pichon stated, noting however that they would continue with the same sectors of food, health, water and sanitation given their interrelation.
According to ECHO, nearly half the Tajik population of 6.5 million lack access to safe drinking water. Poor water and sanitation have a direct impact on infant mortality in the country – something that was particularly problematic.
Kilde: Irinnews, FN
