EU zet 5 miljoen euro opzij voor Kirgizië (en)

In reaction to reports of intensifying interethnic fighting in the south of Kyrgyzstan, the European Commission has decided today to dispatch a humanitarian expert to the country to assess humanitarian needs. The Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Kristalina Georgieva, said: “With thousands of civilians massed at the border to flee the country and others who cannot leave their homes due to ongoing fighting we have to be ready to react to the humanitarian situation that may arise. We are monitoring the evolution of the events and if need be, the EU stands ready to mobilise humanitarian funds at short notice.”

At this moment, the Uzbek Red Cross reports that at least 6000 people seem to have fled or are fleeing to neighbouring Uzbekistan. While some are Uzbek citizens, many of them are Kyrgyz nationals seeking refuge from the fighting in their home region. An ECHO expert will be dispatched from Tajikistan to assess the humanitarian situation as it develops.

For further information: http://ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en.htm