Press Releases

President Roza Otunbaeva awarded the Representative of UNHCR in Kyrgyzstan with “Dank” medal

Bishkek, 24 October 2011 - On the occasion of celebrating UN Day, President Roza Otunbaeva awarded the UNHCR Representative in Kyrgyzstan Mr. Hans Friedrich Schodder with the "Dank" medal for significant contribution in strengthening interethnic harmony, social-economic, cultural and spiritual development of the country.

President Otunbaeva stressed that this high-level state award recognizes the cooperation between UNHCR and the Kyrgyz Republic as well as the assistance provided to the people of Kyrgyzstan by the UN Refugee Agency. In particular, the President noted UNHCR's prompt and invaluable response to the humanitarian needs caused by the tragic events of June 2010, including UNHCR's emergency transitional shelter project that provided all people who lost their houses during the violence with new homes before the onset of winter.

Mr. Schodder accepted the "Dank" award on behalf of the UN Refugee Agency and thanked the President, the Government, local authorities, civil society, the whole UN country team, all partners and donors for their excellent cooperation and support.

UNHCR opened offices in the Kyrgyz Republic in 1995. Its assistance to refugees, returnees, stateless and internally displaced people in the country by now exceeds 50 million USD.

Its current main objectives are to monitor and support Kyrgyzstan's implementation of its commitments to protect refugees, to help in preventing and reducing statelessness, and to support reconciliation and sustainable peace.

The UN Refugee Agency provided life-saving emergency relief to tens of thousands of victims following the violence of June 2010. During 2011-2012 UNHCR will continue to support the people and the Government in strengthening equal access to rights and services, rule of law, as well as the restoration of and reconciliation between communities.