UNFPA Responds to Urgent Needs of Victims of Kyrgyzstan Fighting

UNITED NATIONS, New York—UNFPA has been gearing up to meet the humanitarian needs of those who have fled their homes in Kyrgyzstan as a result of the violence engulfing the country since 11 June. The Fund is particularly concerned about the fate of pregnant women who will deliver their babies in shelters and refugee camps.

Some 400,000 people have been uprooted by the violence, reported UNHCR, citing figures provided by governmental and non-governmental organizations on the ground. In addition, the latest estimates by the Interim Kyrgyz Government show that more than 180 people have been killed and more than 1,900 people have been injured. There are also reports of deliveries in refugee shelters, with eight successful deliveries reported on 17 June alone.

Of those who had to leave their houses, more than 100,000 people, mostly women, children and old people, have fled from Kyrgyzstan into Uzbekistan, including more than 350 pregnant women who have been registered so far. The refugees are mostly located in the province of Andijan, where more than 80,000 people are staying in 48 temporary camps. Other refugees are located in Fergana and Namangan.

Working within the UN country team in Kyrgyzstan, UNFPA is delivering essential supplies to meet the urgent needs of affected women, including medicines, medical equipment and safe delivery kits, as well as personal hygiene and sanitary items. The supplies will be delivered to Osh and Jalalabad—the two Kyrgyz cities most affected by the recent violence—where they will be distributed by local partners, including health and non-governmental organizations.

UNFPA is responding to the emergency as part of a UN coordinated humanitarian effort, focusing on the health and protection clusters.

Contact Information:

Omar Gharzeddine
Tel: +1 212 297 5028
gharzeddine@unfpa.org