Emergency Assistance to Conflict-Affected People in Kyrgyzstan - UNHCR 2010

21 June 2010 - Beginning on 10 June 2010 renewed violence between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks broke out in the cities of Osh and Jalalabad and several rural districts of southern Kyrgyzstan. The violence has displaced at least 375 000 people including at least 75 000 (mostly women and children) who have fled across the border into Uzbekistan. Food safe water essential household items medical care and protection have been identified as the critical needs among those affected and internally displaced by the conflict. CIDA's contribution is supporting the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide life-saving assistance to those affected by the violence through the distribution of shelter materials and essential relief items such as blankets sleeping mats sanitation materials jerry cans and cooking utensils. UNHCR is also working to coordinate and strengthen protection capacity in Kyrgyzstan in order to promote and protect the rights of those affected by the ongoing violence to ensure a safe environment for displaced persons and other vulnerable populations.