A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in Murghob district of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) on 7 December 2015 with at least 15 aftershocks of below 5 magnitude the next day. Two people had been killed by rock-falls. Another 14 people sustained severe injuries. 237 residential buildings were fully damaged and 601 houses were partially damaged. 22 schools, four medical points and a local hydro-power station and some roads were destroyed.
The President of the country ordered the Prime Minister, State Commission, as well provincial and district level authorities to take all necessary actions to address immediate relief needs of the affected communities.
On 8 December 2015 the Deputy Prime Minister called for a meeting of Government and UN agencies, Red Crescent, NGOs, and donors to discuss initial information on damage and identify potential relief and recovery interventions in support of the affected area.
Summary of the response
Overview of Host National Society involvement The Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan`s response team arrived at the disaster-stricken sites during the first hours of the emergency to provide necessary support to the affected population by distributing non-food items, rendering first aid and psychological support, participating in the evacuation activities. In total, 36 NDRT members (12 members in each), as well as 9 LDMCs (20 people in each Committee) were deployed to respond to the needs of the affected population. A Red Crescent operation point and first aid and psychological support points were set up in the center of Rushan district where trained staff and volunteers were providing support to the affected population.
The RCST deployed its NDRTs who were rendering first aid and psychological support and observing the situation and the living conditions of the population as well as actively supporting the distribution of relief goods provided by governmental agencies and the private sector. At the same time, the RCST was coordinating its activities with the IFRC Country Representation in Tajikistan, which was providing technical and financial support in carrying out the planned operation.
In total, 195 badly affected families (975 people) were provided with basic temporary shelter, non-food items, hygiene kits and hygiene promotion materials by the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan. In addition, the Red Crescent Society provided 195 families with food parcels for 15 days