DUSHANBE, July 17, 2012, Asia-Plus -- On Tuesday July 17, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) officially handed over the entirely rehabilitated and equipped morgue to the Rasht central district hospital authorities.  Starting from July 2011, the morgue building was renovated by the ICRC and specialized forensic equipment was provided, including an autopsy table and an eight-body cold chamber.  Johannes Koppel, ICRC Head of Office in Gharm, noted that “we hope that the completion of the project will contribute to the handling of the bodies of those deceased in full respect of their dignity and the feelings of their loved ones.”

In autumn 2010, with the support of the authorities of Tajikistan, the ICRC stepped up its set-up and operations in the Rasht Valley to respond, together with the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan (RCST), to the humanitarian consequences of armed clashes.  The ICRC provided medical equipment and medicines to all central district hospitals in the regions.  In Rasht, this included also the installation of two autoclaves.  Those directly affected by armed violence among the population were assisted with food and non food items.

At present the ICRC implements activities in the five districts of the Rasht valley – Rasht, Nourobod, Tavildara, Tojikobod and Jirgatol.  The ICRC provides essential medicines to the 5 central district hospitals of the region, rehabilitates and supports 5 health centers, implements a water system adduction project and provides structural support to the branches of the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan.  Starting from 2012, the ICRC launched a new project assisting mine victims and their families by providing micro-economic grants.

The ICRC has been working in Tajikistan since 1992.  It carried out major humanitarian operations during the 1992-1997 civil war.  More recently, it has provided support for the mine-awareness education program and other activities of the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan.  The ICRC, through its Special Fund for Persons with Disabilities, also supports the Dushanbe orthopedic center, which provides physical rehabilitation services for mine victims and other disabled people.  In addition, the organization promotes international humanitarian law (IHL) in the country.