Tajikistan earthquake recovery

The substandard homes don't stand a chance in the face of earthquakes

Tajikistan is the poorest country in Central Asia with over 64% of the population living on less than US$2.15 a day (World Bank). The country is vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes, flash floods and landslides and experiences over 5,000 tremors and earthquakes each year. In 2005-2006 alone, the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MoES) reported that over 7,000 homes were damaged or destroyed at a cost of approximately $45 million USD.

On 29 July 2006, two devastating earthquakes registering between 5 and 5.5 on the Richter scale struck seven villages in Kumsangir district, Khatlon Region. The damage was enormous. 20,000 people were affected with 2,600 homes partially or completely damaged. The local infrastructure also suffered a great deal of damage.

Zamini Nav village is among the worst affected communities – 130 homes were destroyed leaving around 1,225 people homeless. People's homes didn't stand a chance because of cheap construction, no earthquake-resistant infrastructure, the age of the buildings and a lack of knowledge and financial resources to reinforce or even maintain people's homes.

Habitat for Humanity's response

In response to the needs of the most affected village, Zamini Nav, Habitat for Humanity Tajikistan in partnership with other organisations is running training on earthquake-resistant building techniques for the local people.

Through Habitat for Humanity 82 families are receiving help to rebuild houses that will be able to withstand future tremors. It was planned that these families would contribute labour and some of the construction materials needed, but so far they have been unable to do this so the houses have not been completed. It is enough of a struggle to find ways to meet their basic daily needs for food and other provisions, let alone contribute building materials.

HFH Tajikistan has submitted a proposal to the UN World Food Program to support the project with a food-for-work component. This would allow the families to concentrate their time and resources to complete the shelter since they will not have to worry about the food during construction. It is hoped that the 82 homes will be finished in June 2007.

In order to avoid homelessness during the winter months, around 50 families had constructed temporary homes by themselves. There is a great risk that these homes will not survive another earthquake. Other families are still living in tents, have returned to what remains of their home or have joined relatives in overcrowded houses. Our partner organisations have agreed to seek more funding to support the 50 families living in temporary shelters.