Community members collecting water in rural Tajikistan.

Westport, CT (February 19, 2008) — Save the Children is expanding its efforts to assist vulnerable children in Tajikistan, where extreme winter temperatures have combined with depleting food and fuel stocks to subject families throughout the country to increasing hardship.

Save the Children is distributing warm clothing, bedding, candles, water containers and thermoses, and flour to children and their families in the districts of Khuroson, Sarband, Kolkhozobod and Jomi. The agency — which is focusing on street children and children with disabilities and their families, among other vulnerable groups — will begin similar distributions in the capital, Dushanbe, this weekend.

Save the Children plans to reach at least 2,500 emergency-affected children and families over the coming days.

"Families are having a difficult time coping with the extreme cold, diminishing food supplies and lack of clean water," said Caroline Loftus, who heads Save the Children's international response to emergencies. "This emergency has serious ramifications for the well-being of children in Tajikistan. Their health is at risk and their families are being pushed further into poverty."

According to Save the Children assessments, two poor harvests have helped contribute to the scarcity of food, which is likely to contribute to a longer "lean season" this year. Families are being forced to sell off agricultural and household assets, hampering their ability to purchase seeds and plant a crop during the critical planting season.

Save the Children has worked in Tajikistan since 1994. The agency has programs to combat hunger and malnutrition, protect vulnerable children, improve the quality of preschool and primary education, and improve family health and community health services, especially in rural areas.

Save the Children's ability to respond quickly to emergencies like this and other future emergencies where significant numbers of children are at risk greatly depends on our available resources.  By contributing to the Children's Emergency Fund, you enable us to prepare for and respond immediately to children and families who urgently need our help when disasters strike.

Donate to the Children's Emergency Fund