Severe cold endangers Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- The United Nations issued an appeal for $25 million in humanitarian aid to Tajikistan, in the midst of the harshest winter in living memory.

Extreme cold has caused rivers to freeze over and hurt the nation's primary power source, hydroelectric power, a U.N. press release said. Radio Free Europe reported Tuesday temperatures have plummeted to 20 below zero and the energy shortage has had a ripple effect on heating and food supplies.

The United Nations asked international donors to come up with $25 million to feed 260,000 people. Michele Montas, a U.N. spokeswoman, said UNICEF is sending emergency generators to hospitals as cold-related illnesses killed 232 newborns in January alone.

Political analysts told RFE the situation is having an impact on the government, as many high-ranking officials were forced out of office for failing to deal with the situation.

One analyst said the political reaction is too late. Shokirjon Hakimov, a Tajik politician, said there have been few protests so far, but some Tajiks are starting to voice their anger with the situation.