DUSHANBE , January 24, Asia-Plus - On Tuesday January 24, the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) gave a news conference on the results of work carried out by the ministry last year. 

Emergencies Minister, Mirzo Ziyoyev speaking to journalists said that natural disasters that hit the country last year left 47 dead and a total damage caused by disasters to Tajikistan ’s economy last year amounted to more than 102 million Somonis (equivalent to more than US$30 million).    

According to him, 4,789 residential buildings were damaged by the natural disasters last year; of them, some 1,500 houses were destroyed completely.  

The worst hit were Panjakent District in Sughd and Hamadoni District in Khatlon.  “In Panjakent, 996 houses were damaged by the disasters; of them 366 houses were destroyed completely”, said Ziyoyev, “In Hamadoni District, more than 11,500 people have practically been left homeless.”  The minister noted that 3,426 disaster-hit people in Panjakent were moved to the Settlement of Sarazm in the same district, where 154 of 180 planned houses have already been built for them.  In Hamadoni District, 135 houses have to date been built for the disaster-affected population.    

The minister also noted that by government’s resolution more than 905,000 Somonis were allocated last year to provide assistance the disaster-hit population.