Uzbeks ask for drought aid, see 1 million at risk

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (Reuters) -- Ex-Soviet Uzbekistan has asked for aid because of a drought affecting at least 1 million people in the Central Asian state, senior officials said Wednesday.

"Unfortunately we are unable to finance unexpected expenses caused by the severe shortage of water," Deputy Foreign Minister Isan Mustafayev told a news conference. "That is why the government of Uzbekistan has asked the United Nations for help."

Deputy Agriculture Minister Abdurakhim Dzhalalov said the drought, the worst in 95 years, had been caused by failure of rains in seven provinces with the worst conditions prevailing in the Karakalpakstan and Khorezm regions bordering the Aral Sea.

"Never in memory have we faced such tough times as far as drought is concerned," Dzhalalov said.

"Rains in May and June this year were less than 15 percent of the usual amount, all reservoirs and canals in Karakalpakstan are dry and ... the crop is under threat."

Uzbekistan has produced just 3 million tons of grain this year against a 4.89 million ton target. The country, with 24 million people, is a net grain importer.

Humanitarian agencies say about 60 million people in former Soviet Central Asia, the Caucasus, Iran and Afghanistan are suffering from drought, with up to 3 million people in Tajikistan running the risk of starvation.

The Red Cross said Wednesday it had appealed for at least $12.7 million worth of food aid for Tajikistan. It has also said that Karakalpakstan could be on the brink of a humanitarian disaster.

Rim Giniatullin, Uzbek representative of the Global Ecology Fund, which finances initiatives in ex-communist countries, said $30-40 million was needed to help 200,000 families, or one million people, who had lost their crops.

He said the drought also threatened rare flora and fauna in the Amu Darya delta. The delta, along with the Aral Sea and Karakalpakstan in general, suffered from Soviet-era experiments to divert its waters to support big cotton plantations. The Aral Sea's volume of water is less than half than its 1960s levels.

Deputy Health Minister Bakhtiyor Niyazmatov said a shortage of drinking water could cause outbreaks of disease.

"Less than half the rural population has access to safe drinking water. Intestinal diseases have risen by one-and-a-half times this year," Niyazmatov said. His ministry had asked the World Health Organization to send medicine for the region.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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WHO: World Health Organization
Red Cross
Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan

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