The Jewish community of Bishkek is helping to deliver humanitarian aid to the south of Kyrgyzstan for those who are caught up in the ethnic rioting there.
“We have raised money to buy 30 sacks of flour and 15 sacks of rice,” the head of the Bishkek Jewish community, Boris Shapiro, said this week.
“The Assembly of the Peoples of Kyrgyzstan, in which our community takes part, is sending a truck with these and other sacks of food to the Fergana Valley.”
Ethnic rioting in the country’s south between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks has led to the death of at least 170 people and 1,800 injuries, according to reports, though the death toll could be much higher. In addition, at least 100,000 people have been displaced.
About 70 Jews live in four cities in the conflict area.
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee says it has expanded its services, including providing extra food and medicine, to the region’s Jews and continues its daily monitoring of their safety. — jta