23 June 1998 1. The relief operation is fully on track, now reaching all severely destroyed villages with food and shelter materials. More relief supplies are in the pipeline and will be delivered in the next few weeks, much of it by helicopter. In addition, enormous emergency rehabilitation needs remain and must be addressed in the following months. General situation 2.
Aftershocks continue and most people choose to live outside of their mud houses.
The number of people in need of shelter is likely to increase as more reliable data is accumulated. The Afghan Ambassador to Tajikistan visited the three affected areas on 18 June and held discussions with the local authorities and relief teams. During the past few days extensive discussions between the international relief community and the Governors of the Rustaq and Chah-Ab districts took place about access to the affected area and the delivery of relief supplies. It was agreed that all relief agencies in Rustaq would provide the Governor with lists of available stocks and villages to be served in the near future. The authorities in Chah-Ab agreed to permit food distributions, commencing 20 June.