Kyrgyzstan is recognized as a “high disaster-prone” country. As a country with highly mountainous terrain and high poverty levels, Kyrgyzstan experiences significant vulnerability to natural disasters and climate-driven hazards, including earthquakes, floods, mudflows, avalanches, droughts, as well as heatwaves and cold waves. The ‘hazard and exposure’ dimension of the INFORM Global Risk Index 2019 has mapped Kyrgyzstan as ‘high exposure’ to both natural and human-induced hazards1. Furthermore, Kyrgyzstan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change in Central Asia; according to estimates, the average temperature in Kyrgyzstan could increase by 8°C during this century.2 An analysis of the period from 1980 to 2022 shows that the frequency and intensity as well as the area of occurrence of high temperatures have been increasing in recent decades in Kyrgyzstan.

The EAP for heatwave in Kyrgyzstan has been designed with the support of the German Red Cross (GRC), the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre (RCRCCC), the key ministries and agencies (Ministry of Emergency of the Kyrgyz Republic (MES), Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic (MoH), and Kyrgyzhydromet), as well as local municipalities and community leaders.

The EAP targets vulnerable people, including 2,500 vulnerable families living below the poverty line, as well as 700 older persons in care homes; 700 children at the age range up to 16 years living residential institutions for orphans; 1,300 children living at orphanages and boarding schools for children with disabilities. While indirect recipients will be 1.5 million at-risk people throughout the country.

The EAP will address impacts of acute gastro infections in children aged 0-4 and general health impact on children under 16; impact on the health of older people living in social facilities.