The United Kingdom offers over 400 tents for quake survivors in Kyrgyzstan

(New York, 9 January 2008): The United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) today pledged over 400 winterised tents to the Government of Kyrgyzstan, in response to the recent earthquake that displaced nearly 5,500 people south of Osh.

On 1 January 2008, three separate earthquakes occurred in an isolated area some 30 kilometres from the city of Osh, causing severe damage to housing and infrastructure. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, over 960 families have been displaced as a result of the earthquakes, and the deteriorating weather conditions are making their situation even more precarious - temperatures are currently between minus 15 and minus 20 degrees Celsius. The worst affected areas are Kara-Suu, Kookat and Alai.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations issued an appeal for 671 winterised tents, the majority of which are being supplied by DFID. It is expected that the shipment will depart for Kyrgyzstan from the United Arab Emirates on Friday 11 January. The governments of Sweden, Norway, Austria, Slovakia and Bulgaria had previously provided 275 winterized tents, which are currently being distributed.

"The response to the government's appeal has been outstanding. Everybody has played their part, and as a result the most pressing needs to protect the affected population against the harsh winter conditions have been met," said Abdul Haq Amiri, the head of the regional office for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Dubai.

Reports from the field indicate that there are outstanding needs for food and non-food items, including 3,500 winter jackets and trousers, 2.25 tonnes of rice and 3,000 litres of oil. A United Nations mission is on the ground to carry out assessment and monitoring.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570. Gabriella Waaijman. OCHA- Almaty, Kazakhstan, +7 7777 809 071 Ali Buzurukov, OCHA Almaty, Kazakhstan, + 7 7777 809 073 (also speaks Russian) Nadia Evans, OCHA-Dubai, +971 502279808

OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int