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Kyrgyzstan July 1, 2010 8:53AM
Distributing food, relief items in southern Kyrgyzstan
Sean Collins
Logistics Expert
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Over the weekend we distributed US$17,000 worth of relief items -- baby food, salt, soap, towels, toilet paper, dishware, detergent, diapers and bedding -- in two locations.
The first was a tent camp located on the road leaving Osh city, in the Tyleyken district. These residents were of Kyrgyz ethnicity, who left their homes in Suratach village out of fear of retribution. They are approximately 80 families, with 84 children under the age of seven. The Mercy Corps team on the ground assessed the level of need in this tented camp to be minimal, and as such there was only a limited number of items distributed. The items were those which the team assessed the camp to be in need of after conversations with the community.
The second location of distribution was Suratash village near to the Uzbek border. The level of need in this location was much higher, and the beneficiaries were extremely happy to see Mercy Corps' truck arrive and start unloading its cargo. There is constant movement in and out of this village, but at the time of distribution there were approximately 4,000 IDPs and 3,500 local residents (446 host families). The IDPs come from Osh, some from Nasos, and others from Kyzylkyshtak from the Karassu Rayon.
The distributions took place in a calm and controlled manner. They were carried out in conjunction with the community committees, but our staff were present throughout the entire distributions. Names of beneficiaries, and the exact items received were recorded by Mercy Corps staff, and signatures of the recipients were taken. Quantities of items distributed were based on family size. Following the distributions the MC staff on the ground will be using their list to do some very basic monitoring "spot checks" to confirm that the items that beneficiaries received were kept by them.