DUSHANBE, January 26, Asia-Plus - Natural disasters that hit Tajikistan last year left 30 dead in the country, Mahmadtohir Zokirov, head of the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense (CES), announced at a news conference in Dushanbe today.  

According to him, a total damage caused to the country’s economy by last year’s disasters amounted to 104.6246 million somonis (equivalent to some $30 million), which is 1.68 million more than in the previous year of 2005.  

On the situation in the Qumsangir district that was affected by devastating tremor last July, the CES head said that both the government and international organizations active in the country are continuing to provide aid to the quake-hit population.  

Mahmadullo Halimov, deputy head of the CES, 406 new pise residential buildings had already been constructed in the area and “the construction of 500 other houses is nearing completion.”  “Another 200 houses will have been built in the district by the spring,” the CES official said, adding that 1,107 residential buildings in Qumsangir were destroyed completely by the tremor.  

Besides, the quake-affected families were provided with building materials and some 306 servicemen from the CES sub-units have helped them build new houses, according to Halimov. 

Those whose houses were destroyed completely received 1000 somonis in form of extraordinary grant each and families whose residential buildings were partially damaged received 300 somonis each.