Assistance underway in Northeastern Afghanistan

Islamabad (Office of the United Nations Co-ordinator for Afghanistan), 29 September 2000 - The United Nations today called on all parties to the conflict in northeast Afghanistan to ensure the security of the civilian population and of aid workers and to allow humanitarian assistance to reach those in need.
Distribution of both food and non-food items is now underway for civilians displaced by conflict in Afghanistan's northeastern region. With help from UNOPS and the NGOs ACTED, SNI, and FOCUS, WFP is currently providing food to 4,000 families (24,000 people) who have been identified as being most in need. Up to 40,000 displaced may be reached with food assistance if required. The majority of those being assisted at this time are in Keshem, Dasht-i-Qala, Khoja Bahauddin, Yangi Qala, and Rustaq. Non food items including tarpaulins, blankets and plastic sheeting are being distributed by ICRC, UNOCHA, SNI, MSF, and ACTED. Food is available in the local bazaars, and many displaced traders from Taloqan are selling their stocks. The price of wheat remains stable but high. Some families have already run out of food stocks and the prices of their livestock are sharply declining.

The weather is deteriorating in the northeast, and recent heavy rain, and snow in higher elevations, has reduced temperatures. The change in weather makes the shelter needs of the displaced more urgent, particularly as many of them remain in the open, especially in Khoja Bahauddin and Dasht-i-Qala.

So far, over 9,700 families (over 60,000 people) have fled to Rustaq, Dasht-i-Qala, Khoja Bahauddin, Keshem, Faizabad, and Yangi Qala. The situation of the displaced remains fluid, and further displaced persons are arriving in various locations. In some locations, such as Dasht-i-Qala, ongoing conflict is impeding access to the displaced. Contrary to what has been reported in the international press, the displaced are not crossing into Tajikistan, although there are large numbers of people near the border. The proximity of some of the places of refuge to the Tajik border might have contributed to the expectation that those displaced from Takhar planned to cross the border. Under present circumstances, it is not expected that significant numbers will cross into Tajikistan in coming days. UNHCR staff in two locations in Tajikistan are monitoring the situation. In addition, a recent joint mission in Tajikistan did not find any significant evidence of border crossing.

For more information contact:

Stephanie Bunker, Office of the UN Co-ordinator for Afghanistan, 2211451 x 415; mobile 0320 261325