Latvia provides humanitarian aid to refugees in Uzbekistan [21 Jun 2010]

On 21 June, the Cabinet of Ministers supported the allocation of 50,000 lats for the provision of humanitarian aid to refugees in Uzbekistan.

Civilian riots that occurred in the south of Kyrgyzstan have resulted in a mass refugee flow across state border, thus creating an emergency humanitarian situation in the border area of Uzbekistan. The largest number of refugees – 70 to 100 thousand people – is situated the Andijon, Namangan and Frag'ona districts. Here about 40 refugee camps have been set up. The Uzbek government has made a request for international humanitarian aid for solving refugee problems. The main necessary items are food, potable water, medications and shelters.

The European Commission has made a decision to provide aid in the amount of 5 million euros to Uzbeks and Kyrgyzs who have suffered in the riots. The Red Cross and various UN organisations have already sent cargos of humanitarian aid to Uzbekistan.

Latvia has responded to the request of the Uzbek government both for humanitarian considerations and for the reason that Latvia has had friendly and good relations with Uzbekistan for many years. The Embassy in Tashkent is the only embassy of Latvia which is situated in the region of Central Asia. The Embassy has the status of a regional embassy and in the second half of 2010, at the request of Belgium, it will fulfil the responsibilities of the Embassy of the EU Presidency in Uzbekistan. Beginning from 2011, however, it will take up the duties of the NATO Contact Point Embassy in Uzbekistan. The existence of the Embassy will considerably facilitate the co-ordination of Latvian humanitarian aid.

The funding that has been allocated by the Latvian government for aid to refugees in Uzbekistan is planned to be spent for the purchase of medications or essential goods. The Foreign Ministry of Latvia will be responsible for the delivery of humanitarian aid.