A warehouse for Afghan refugees has been opened in Khatlon

Against the backdrop of the complex situation in Afghanistan, a warehouse for non-food emergency supplies has been opened in the border area of Tajikistan.

Photo: Internet

As part of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Committee for Emergency Situations of Tajikistan, a warehouse for non-food items has been opened in the Kushoniyon district of the Khatlon region. This was reported by the UNDP office in Tajikistan on its Twitter page.

Photo: Internet

It is reported that the warehouse is equipped with tents, bedding, kitchen utensils, stoves, clothing, hygiene items, and other essential goods to provide timely assistance to at least 100 families in the event of cross-border emergencies.

The warehouse, valued at 265,000 US dollars, was built as part of the UNDP project with financial support from the government of Japan. A second warehouse is also planned to be built in Khorog.

The UNDP Resident Representative in Dushanbe, Pratibha Mehta, stated at the opening ceremony:

“The government of Tajikistan is taking all measures to be prepared and respond to any crises and humanitarian needs in the event of natural disasters and a potential influx of refugees from Afghanistan.”

According to her, the world is experiencing one of the most destructive and profound structural, social, and economic upheavals in recent history, including an increased risk of extreme climate events, as well as anthropogenic crises such as the recent events in Afghanistan.

It is noted that the purpose and location of the warehouses, which will be managed by the Committee for Emergency Situations, were preliminarily determined in 2018 to facilitate access and provide emergency assistance in remote and hard-to-reach border areas.

Earlier, Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda stated that Tajikistan does not have the capacity to accept Afghan refugees.

“However, over the past 20 years, none of the international organizations have provided practical assistance in creating infrastructure for the reception of refugees and asylum seekers. Because of this, the Republic of Tajikistan does not have the capacity to accept a large number of refugees or asylum seekers,” Ramazon Rahimzoda said at that time.