Disaster Response Coordination Unit launched Emergency Response Plan to cover the most urgent needs of the affected communities in Batken oblast

The Response Plan is based on the findings of the DRCU’s Rapid Needs Assessment Mission, which was conducted in September 2022, as well as other assessment and sectoral analysis. It identified the following key humanitarian priorities, centered around people’s needs: food assistance; procurement of non-food items, particularly basic household supplies and appropriate clothing ahead of winter; procurement of hygiene and sanitation items; temporary shelter for the displaced population; access to essential health services including psychological and legal assistance.

The Response Plan covers the period of three months and aims to reach over 77,700 of the most vulnerable among the affected people, based on an agreed vulnerability criteria, including gender, age and disability factors. It requires US$14.7 million in humanitarian funding to meet urgent humanitarian needs of the affected population.

The DRCU Government’s Co-Chair, Minister of Emergency Situations, Boobek Azhikeev, informed of the ongoing humanitarian efforts and thanked humanitarian partners including UN agencies and other international and national organizations for the assistance provided so far.

He stated, “As we all know, the Batken events have recently taken place. From the first days, thanks to the joint efforts within the DRCU, large-scale assistance was provided to the affected people. The UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan, Ms. Antje Grawe, played a key role in the rapid coordination of urgent humanitarian assistance. As the winter months approach, we have a task to address the immediate needs of vulnerable groups among the affected people. In particular, there are a number of tasks, such as to provide children with education, identity documents, warm clothes, warm temporary shelters, medical care, psychological and legal support. Dear partners, I urge you to provide comprehensive support to help us restore the livelihoods of the affected population in Batken oblast,” the Minister emphasized in his speech.  

The DRCU Co-chair from the UN, UNRC Antje Grawe, noted in her remarks, “We are now in a race against time ahead of the winter season, which will add another level of strain on the most affected people. Immediate funding is urgently needed to enable humanitarian partners to address the specific humanitarian needs of over 77 thousand people, as per the Response Plan.” She emphasized the critical importance of the restoration of trust and confidence to enable local residents to live in safety and revitalize their livelihoods, without fear. She concluded underlining that “in this regard, it is crucial that the sides continue their dialogue and engage only through diplomatic means to resolve outstanding issues.” 

The DRCU is a multi-stakeholder body co-chaired by the Minister/Deputy Minister of the MoES and the UN Resident Coordinator and attended by all national and international humanitarian partners, including UN agencies, Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan, the ICRC and NGOs. The DRCU is tasked to coordinate and respond to emergency situations. It was activated on 16 September at the request of the Government.

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Read the DRCU Emergency Response Plan Executive Summary. 

Read the Press Release.