Aid agencies prepare refugee contingency plans

While a recent UN assessment on the region concluded that a mass exodus of refugees into Tajikistan was unlikely at present, intense fighting continues near Taloqan and international agencies were “preparing for the worst”, a UN representative told IRIN on Monday. Given recent developments, UNHCR and partner organisations have held two emergency meetings to discuss preparedness measures in-country, IRIN was told. Numerous field assessments have been conducted to determine available reception facilities in two districts bordering Afghanistan. Contingency plans are to be finalised in the coming days, once international agencies have taken stock of existing resources that could be diverted in an emergency. “We have informed the Tajikistan government that preparations are being made in the event that the situation should take a turn for the worst,” Taslimur Rahman, UNHCR Head of Office for Tajikistan told IRIN on Monday. He said: “We can’t say we are absolutely ready, but we are working with international and UN agencies available to prepare for up to 100,000 refugees. UNHCR has global resources, reserves, to help 20,000 people, but this will be only mobilised should the influx occur,” he added.