UNHCR sent 20 tons of humanitarian assistance with core relief items from the Termez Cargo Centre, Uzbekistan, to Tajikistan. The delivery is part of UNHCR’s efforts to assist the Government of Tajikistan in preparation to the possible refugee influx from Afghanistan.

The first shipment of humanitarian supplies includes approximately 20 tons of Refugee Housing Units, that is a part of overall consignment prepared for delivery to Tajikistan, such as family tents, sleeping mats, kitchen sets, plastic sheets and other core relief items. Delivered to Termez by air and land in November-December 2021, these goods have now been trucked to Tajikistan to stockpile life-saving assistance that enables UNHCR and its state counterparts to rapidly respond and provide humanitarian assistance when it is needed the most.

“In Tajikistan, the humanitarian community, under the coordination of UNHCR, is supporting the government to enhance emergency preparedness and response. This first humanitarian cargo sent to Tajikistan from UNHCR hub in Termez is one example. UNHCR is committed to providing further assistance to the government through the Refugee Coordination Model which brings together more than 30 national and international humanitarian and development agencies in Tajikistan. UNHCR also appreciates the continued support of donors, particularly the Government of Japan and European Union.”, said UNHCR Representative in Tajikistan, Mulugeta Zewdie.

This humanitarian assistance was made possible thanks to the generous contribution of the Government of Japan in the amount of 700,000 USD and the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid which allocated 500,000 Euros.

The consignments were sent from UNHCR’s humanitarian hub established in October 2021 in the Termez Cargo Centre with the support of the Government of Uzbekistan. The Termez Cargo Centre is a logistics and emergency response hub to enhance pre-positioning and rapid delivery of Core Relief Items to Afghanistan, Iran and Central Asian region affected by the Afghanistan situation. The hub increases UNHCR’s agility to respond, enabling rapid replenishment of local supplies, while reducing costs and risks associated with carrying large inventory in each operation.