Breakthrough in access to Afghanistan

The Government of Tajikistan has decided to abolish the system of special permissions to use the international crossing points between Tajikistan and Afghanistan in order to facilitate cross-border operations and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, effective 5 December 2001. From that date it will only be necessary to inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 48 hours in advance of planned border crossings. Without waiting for an answer or permission, foreign citizens

• international humanitarian workers (UN staff, IOs, NGOs) and their vehicles (with both diplomatic and non-diplomatic plate numbers) will be able to proceed to Afghanistan, provided they have valid multiple Tajik and Afghan visas. Tajik national staff will enjoy the same treatment with different notification period (one week). All relevant Ministries and the Russian Border Service have been consulted in due course. The border crossings used by the international community to transport humanitarian aid are Ishkashim and Farkhor/Kokul, soon to be joined by Nizhni Pyandj.
  This is a welcome development for the international community: The speedier access may result in a substantial increase of the volume of humanitarian aid reaching Afghan people in need of food and other emergency items to help them survive throughout the harsh Afghan winter. The implementation of this measure points to the concern of the Government of Tajikistan for the humanitarian plight of its neighbouring people and demonstrates its desire to assist and facilitate the international concerted effort.

For more information contact:

UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance in Tajikistan
Tel: (992-372) 217827, 210680, 210686, 210694, 210670
Fax: (992-372) 510021
e-mail: ocha.tj@undp.org