Some 30,000 people in Kyrgyzstan’s Batken and Leilek districts have been forced to abandon their villages as many have lost their homes in the shelling and exchange of motor fire between Kyrgyz and Tajik armed forces. Two weeks after the clashes, some of those evacuated have returned to their villages, but others who have lost their homes are unlikely to return any time soon.
The clashes, one of the worst in years, have reportedly left over 50 people dead and close to 300 wounded across both sides of the border. Médecins Sans Frontières teams found burnt houses, schools and clinics during a visit to assess medical needs in the border areas of Batken.
Many of the displaced families were initially evacuated to Batken city – administrative centre of Batken district – where they sought shelter in schools, mosques and hotels, while others especially in adjoining Leilek district were living with host families.
Soon after reports of clashes, an MSF team deployed to Batken city where they found many of those displaced in a state of shock, still coming to terms with the destruction of their homes and businesses. An MSF mobile medical team is ensuring basic health care consultations for the displaced and a team of three MSF psychologists specialised in mental trauma are offering individual counselling.
Until 7 May, in Batken city, MSF mobile medical teams had conducted 363 consultations; while MSF psychologists had offered 103 counselling sessions, with many patients showing symptoms of anxiety and depression.