Bishkek, June 8, 2021 . / Kabar / . The European Union is providing 170000 EUR (over 17,5 million KGS) in humanitarian funding in response to the armed conflict that marred Kyrgyzstan’s southwestern border province of Batken in late April. The aid will benefit at least 6,000 people in some of the worst hit areas in the districts of Batken, the provincial capital, and Leilek, the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic said.
This EU-funding supports the Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan’s (RCSK) distribution of much-needed of cash grants to enable affected families to meet their immediate needs. Other relief items such as emergency shelter materials, first aid kits, hygiene products and household items are also being provided, in addition to psychological support. The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
36 people were killed, nearly 160 injured, and over 40,000 forced to flee their homes in Batken region after a water facility dispute escalated into armed clashes between Kyrgyz and Tajik forces on 28-29 April. The violence also led to the destruction of houses, schools and other public facilities, causing many to lose their homes and sources of livelihood. The conflict is further aggravated by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in rising unemployment and inflation. Although both countries agreed to a withdrawal of troops from the border in early May and with many of the evacuees having already returned to their homes, the situation remains volatile in the border area.
The European Union together with its Member States is the world’s leading donor of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity towards people in need around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises.
Through its European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the European Union helps over 120 million victims of conflicts and disasters every year. For more information, please visit ECHO’s website.
The European Commission has signed a EUR 3 million humanitarian contribution agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF).
The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund was established in 1985 and is supported by contributions from donors. Each time a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society needs immediate financial support to respond to a disaster, it can request funds from the DREF.
