Despite ongoing concerns about security, UNICEF has started a massive ground and air lift of supplies to southern Kyrgyzstan.

A convoy carrying 40 tonnes of supplies has arrived in the city of Jalalabad. It will drop some of its cargo there and then continue onto Osh where it is expected to arrive by early tomorrow morning.

The supplies consist of eight obstetric kits, emergency health medicine for treating of 10,000 children with diarrheal diseases, as well as vitamins and micronutrients for children. School-in-a-box kits and other water and sanitation gear including, 20,000 water containers, are also in the convoy.

The mobile obstetric kits include all necessary medicine, materials and surgical instruments for 800 deliveries. The kits allow medical workers to carry out normal deliveries as well as undertake surgery on the spot in cases of difficult births.

UNICEF Kyrgyzstan Representative, Jonathan Veitch, says it is now essential to reach all affected communities and ethnic groups. “Further supplies will be airlifted into Osh by mid-week, and we will be aiming to establish an office in Osh as soon as practically possible.”

How you can help
Make a donation to the UNICEF NZ Emergency Fund (online donation) or call 0800-800-194.