An update on Uzbek assistance to refugees from Krygyzstan and an urgent appeal for help for refugees from AUCC Chairman Harry F. Eustace, Sr.

Dear AUCC Members and Friends,

The Economist magazine called the recent ethnic violence in Kyrgyzstan: "...one of the greatest humanitarian crises to hit the former Soviet Union since its break-up." International organizations were quick to respond to the plight of the refugees, but governments, Uzbekistan's excepted, have done little to help. In fact, the Government of Uzbekistan is being praised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its "extraordinary" cooperation in handling a deluge of nearly 400,000 refugees—overwhelmingly women and children.

Uzbek authorities have distributed tons of aid since last weekend, including tents, plastic sheeting for shelter, blankets and other relief items. The government is providing medical care and meals to the ethnic Uzbek refugees, some 90 per cent of whom are women and children.

A UNHCR emergency team arrived in the Andijan area last week and has since been visiting sites where the refugees are staying and doing assessments. "We were impressed by the organization and maintenance. All refugees get hot cooked meals three times per day, they get bottled drinking water and water for washing," said a UNHCR official.

How You can help.

People forced to leave their homes in Kyrgyzstan are in dire need of assistance. How you can help:

• $40 provides 10 blankets for the refugees
• $100 provides a refugee with a survival kit containing a blanket, a mattress, a kitchen set, a cooking stove and soap.
• $200 provides an all-weather tent to shelter a displaced family.

Your gift will help provide shelter, water and emergency support in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to help the thousands left homeless by the latest violence. The link below will take you to the UNHCR website.

Thank you for your support,

Harry F. Eustace, Sr.

Chairman

AUCC

UNHCR Website:  http://www.unhcr.org/emergency/kyrgyzstan/global_landing.html

Click here to download a copy of this appeal letter.