Tajikistan, Paralyzed By Bitter Winter Weather, Requests Emergency Food, Medical Aid

[hatrack]

TAJIKISTAN, paralysed by the coldest winter in decades, asked for emergency international aid today to help it survive an energy crisis which has left millions of people without power and heating.

The bitter cold - with temperatures plunging to -20 degrees celsius across the impoverished nation - caught authorities off guard this year, forcing the government to ration electricity, water and gas.

"Over the next few days the government will submit a list of basic emergency items to international organisations and donor countries as well as a plan for their use and allocation," the central bank said in a statement. "The crisis has had a negative impact on the food supply situation and has put industrial sites in a very difficult situation, which can hamper economic reforms," it said.

Its infrastructure ruined in a 1990s civil war, Tajikistan has long experienced heating and power shortages during winter months. But this year disruptions were particularly severe, with millions of people struggling to survive without heating. The government has estimated losses from the cold snap, which started in late 2007, at about $US245 million ($A273.5 million).

EDIT

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23173378-912,00.html

[ben_meyers]

1. Coldest winter in decades!!

How can this be? Decades would be back to the 70's, "Global Cooling" is back!