Responding to needs in displacement camps and host communities

Mercy Corps is providing humanitarian aid to families displaced by the conflict in the southern regions of Kyrgyzstan. Members of various communities have fled their homes due to the recent violence.

As of June 25, an assessment carried out by Mercy Corps staff indicated that there are about 4,000 refugees from Osh city, 800 of which are children, now living in Suratash village of Karasuu Rayon. Additionally, roughly 446 local families comprised of 3,500 people have taken refugees into their homes. There is no exact number as the flow of refugees is constantly fluctuating. Staff also reported on a tent camp of about 500 residents, 80 families, located on the outskirts of Osh. This camp – one of many in the surrounding area – is made up of those who left their homes in Suratash.

Mercy Corps has procured £10,200 worth of emergency food and non-food items that are being delivered to these displacement camps and host communities. These items include jarred and ready made baby food, soap and detergent, towels and bedding, sanitary napkins and diaper cloth, utensils and salt.

The current focus is to get food, shelter and hygiene supplies to those severely affected by recent events. Mercy Corps also specializes in transitioning from immediate relief – the distribution of essential food, water and supplies – to early recovery activities such as cash and voucher programmes that facilitate economic and market based solutions. Mercy Corps has worked in Kyrgyzstan since 1994. The organisation is committed to supporting families and communities through this crisis and continuing to build healthy, financially stable communities based on civil society principles.